Meta Title
Whitney Leavitt: The Unapologetic Trailblazer Redefining Authenticity
Meta Description
Discover the inspiring story of Whitney Leavitt, a reality TV star turned Broadway sensation, who’s breaking barriers and turning lemons into lemonade. Learn about her record-breaking Broadway debut, holiday rom-com, and leadership role at Cool Sips.
You can’t put Whitney Leavitt in a box
Since she arrived on our screens (and our phones) a few years ago, Whitney Leavitt has been a polarizing force in the reality TV realm, especially as a central character of Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Despite her tumultuous time on the show, Leavitt has built a loyal following, turning lemons into lemonade along the way.
Building a Loyal Following
Leavitt’s authenticity has been a key factor in her success. She’s unapologetically herself, and her fans appreciate her vulnerability and honesty. Her fans have followed her throughout her various endeavors, including her record-breaking Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago, her holiday rom-com, and her impressive stint on Dancing with the Stars.
Atomic Facts
- Broadway Debut: Whitney Leavitt has a record-breaking Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago.
- Behind the Camera: Whitney Leavitt stepped behind the camera as executive producer for a holiday rom-com.
- Dancing Star: Whitney Leavitt was a contestant on Dancing with the Stars.
- Leadership Role: Whitney Leavitt is the Chief Creative and Brand Officer at Cool Sips, NYC’s premier dirty soda destination.
A Conversation with Whitney Leavitt
Scary Mommy chatted with Leavitt over Zoom to talk about her career, mom guilt, and what it means to be authentic.
Authenticity and the Right Fit
Scary Mommy: You’ve built your whole identity around being authentic; what people see is what they get. So when it comes to this new role with Cool Sips, what made it feel like the right fit?
Whitney Leavitt: Well, one, I love that you think that. I love that people see that. That they see that authenticity. And I want to grow brands that I’m passionate about, and dirty soda has always been a part of my life. And I feel like it wasn’t just this viral moment that people who watch Secret Lives saw. It was something that’s more sustainable. And once I was introduced to Cool Sips in this big city, here you have this small town girl who saw this company, and I was like, I want to help this grow. Branch it out more.
The Signature Drink
Scary Mommy: What does it mean to you to have a signature drink, The Whitney, that all started as something you just genuinely loved and shared online?
Whitney Leavitt: It’s a bit crazy. But I’ve shared that drink with many, many people. And I only get the best of reactions and compliments from the drink. So I’m excited for even more people to try it.
Mom Guilt and Findings Creative Solutions
Scary Mommy: So shifting gears a little bit! With so much going on with your career, including Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Dancing with the Stars, Chicago, how do you handle the mom guilt? Do you struggle with how much your “version of motherhood” has changed?
Whitney Leavitt: I did and a lot of people saw that from the last season of Secret Lives and I’m not saying it doesn’t still happen every once in a while. Maybe something will be happening in one of my children’s lives that I can’t attend, but something that I’ve really enjoyed, especially with being married to Connor, is he’s someone that’s helped me navigate this and [has helped me] find creative ways for me to be a part of that. And I love my kids seeing me create, and they’ve come to the Ambassador Theater, and they’ve seen the stage. My daughter’s even come to a show. Being a mom looks different now than it did even a year ago, but we’ve made it work. I think, regardless, I’ll always have those moments of mom guilt. If I could do it all, I would, but I can’t!
A Must-Have in the Chicago Dressing Room
Scary Mommy: That’s too real. Speaking of, what is your one must-have in your Chicago dressing room?
Whitney Leavitt: I love having “The Whitney.” But when I need a little extra energy, I’ll add some caffeine in there, some energy drink in it to keep me going through that show because it’s very grueling.
Dancing Legacy
Scary Mommy: I’ve watched your finale dance with Mark Ballas about seven million times. How did it feel to be able to showcase that dance after being off Dancing with the Stars, and do you plan to continue your dancing journey once your Chicago run comes to an end?
Whitney Leavitt: I would love to continue my dancing journey! I say all the time that I feel most like myself when I’m dancing. It’s always been a form for me to express myself, and I feel like being on Dancing with the Stars reignited that in me.
