Whitney Leavitt‘s husband, Conner Leavitt, came to her defense after Nick Viall‘s controversial comments about how she is balancing a career and motherhood.
During the Wednesday, December 3, episode of his “Viall Files” podcast, Viall, 45, and wife Natalie Joy discussed Whitney’s upcoming Broadway run as Roxie Hart in Chicago.
“I am curious because, obviously, we had Taylor Frankie Paul being The Bachelorette and she received a lot of criticism for leaving her children and prioritizing her and her career and finding love. I am curious how Whitney is managing both,” Joy, 26, said. “She just did Dancing With the Stars for three or four months. She has kids on a school level — maybe they are homeschooled. I don’t know. To shift to Chicago in New York, that takes so much of her time. How is she managing being a mom?”
Viall pointed out that Conner is “very hands-on” when it comes to their three kids: Sedona, 6, Liam, 4, and Billy, 13 months. Joy, who shares 22-month-old daughter River with Viall, added, “Obviously, we are very busy and are constantly on the go. But we realize that once she is in school, our life has to drastically slow down.”
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The podcast episode sparked backlash on social media, with some fans theorizing the couple wouldn’t question a man in Whitney’s position. Viall and Joy have yet to address the controversy, but Conner found a way to subtly clap back.
“Teamwork looks different for everyone,” he captioned a TikTok on Thursday, December 4, of him with his kids. “This is how we do ours ❤️ couldn’t be more proud of @Whitney Leavitt.”
Conner went into the comments section to “like” certain responses calling out the podcast discussion.
“Nick viall podcast was SO weird. whitney isn’t the first or last mother to pursue a creative project like broadway. so happy for her and this tik tok was the perfect response!” read a response which Conner supported, while another referred to Joy’s questions as “weird.”
Conner received an outpouring of support for his measured response.
“‘But what will her kids do if their mom is busy’ ok and meanwhile Connor,” wrote a social media user before someone else added, “Judging a woman for going after her dreams and having a supportive dad/husband to support her while she does this in 2025 is crazyyyy ! 👏 We love a power couple.”
The DadTok member also “liked” a comment that read, “Conner with the classiest warranted diss. We love a supportive husband who admires his ambitious wife ❤ both of you are super parents 🫶🏼.”
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Fans of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives previously watched Viall and Whitney’s tense dynamic unfold at the season 2 reunion, which premiered in July. At the time, Whitney said during the special that she felt she was being called out” by Viall “constantly,” which he denied.
Viall had to ultimately defend how he directed his questions toward Whitney when she ended up in the hot seat multiple times throughout the reunion.
“We are up-front that we are fans of the show. So, as the host, I tried to have that balance between obviously being host and being objective,” he explained on the “Viall Files” podcast. “I was also making sure everything was addressed.”
Viall addressed Whitney accusing him of being too harsh.
“I was a bit surprised when Whitney did not like my line of questioning,” he said. “When it comes to the past two seasons, I think the perceived lack of accountability of Whitney is something that I wanted to have a chance to address with her.”
Viall continued: “Whitney is one of my favorite characters — other than Taylor is probably one of the most irreplaceable people on the cast. She’s one of my favorites.”
