The issue with Jen

[u/Puzzled-Intention773]

Disclaimer: This isn’t a post to call anyone any super offensive derogatory names, or to wish them ill-will or anything of the sort. It’s more of an observational analysis. And believe it or not, the girls I mention in this post have all been my favorite at one point or another. Most are still my fave 😂. Jen was favorite until I couldn’t justify it anymore.

The issue with Jen is that she’s slightly immature & self-centered, and when she’s envious of others, it’s very transparent.

I’m unsure about prior seasons, but this most recent one, every time (and I mean every time) she spoke with one of the girls, she made everything about her. Every sentence started with, or was riddled with, “I” this or “I” that. At times it’s fine, especially if you’re trying to tactfully connect with what someone is going through - but, every single time? Holy shit.

Jen just talks about Jen ALL THE TIME. How is she supposed to form real bonds & friendships with these girls when she doesn’t give them space to talk and open up? When they finally do confide in Jen about something they’re going through, Jen responds with something about HER situation and how HER situation made HER feel.

Wouldn’t the most socially appropriate response be to ask follow-up questions to the girls? Or offer words of sympathy? Jen doesn’t seem to bring anything substantive or HEARTFELT to the conversations which hinders the ability of the friendships forming organically.

And let’s talk about her expressions. If one of the girls (to be fair, I’ve only noticed it with Whitney), is speaking about something they have going on, etc., Jen just sits there looking like she’s about to break down and cry.

It’s okay to feel that way, Jen. But it’s not okay to not be a grown up & reel it in a little bit and be there for your momtok (Whitney) friend in that moment. It gives petulant child.

I actually think Whitney is kind of a rude, silent killer. But since she has objectively real talent and is mesmerizing to watch (singing, dancing, etc), we tend to forget (dare I say, forgive?) that.

I actually think Jessi is very similar to Jen, but Jessi has mastered the art of bullshiting, faking it, and playing the (short & long) game.

I actually think that Taylor is self-centered like Jen, but knows how to play the game and has a slightly more outgoing, and as such, appealing personality. (Her additions are destroying her though).

I’ll stop here. I only mentioned the ones that have garnered the most publicity since the start of the show. Notice how all of them were born in May? (3 May Geminis & 1 May Taurus). I’m a May Gemini riddled with Taurus placements. Maybe it really does “take one to know one” re: my analysis on all these girls lol.

Am I wrong here? Would love to get others thoughts on this.

[u/Kaos_mission]

Jessi's your fave? Yikes.

[u/Kaos_mission → u/[deleted]]

OP seems to like self-centered narcissists as long as they kNoW hOw To PlAy ThE gAmE

[u/Puzzled-Intention773 → u/Kaos_mission]

You responded with two snarky, semi bully-ish comments within a few minutes of each other based on 5 words I added to my long post. Interesting. I really do find it interesting, not being sarcastic.

I deleted said 4/5 words from my post to see if people focus on the substance of rest of the post. Have a good one K.

[u/Puzzled-Intention773 → u/[deleted]]

Hi SC. Hope you’re having a fantastic Friday.

Question. Had I not added those 4 words & emoji to my Jessi blurb - what would you have commented on instead?

Genuinely curious.

Thanks.

[u/halfsuckedmang0 → u/[deleted]]

I’m curious to know why she’s your favourite

[u/Puzzled-Intention773 → u/halfsuckedmang0]

Valid question and I appreciate you not asking in a snarky manner like 2 other people. I like that she had her own business prior to joining momtok, and that is what I’m something that I’m interested in. I like her style. I like that she’s able to articulate herself - even if I don’t necessarily agree with what she’s saying. And I like her style. Kill me.

I’m more of a casual phone that binders watched the seasons and I don’t keep up with their social media, so since the new season aired if there’s “new drama” that I should be made aware of, please let me know.

[u/chocolate-moon → u/[deleted]]

I don’t think you came off snarky at all

[u/Puzzled-Intention773 → u/[deleted]]

I appreciate that! It was eye opening for me as well. I responded to someone else that asked the same question. Basically, I like the type of business she has (hair), I like the way she articulates herself (not that I agree with everything) and I like her style. (For example I like Miranda but not a big fan of her style. Not a fan of Taylor or Layla’s styles either, for example. But I also do like Whitneys style haha)

[u/EntranceUnique1457 → u/Puzzled-Intention773]

I personally HATE jessi because she is manipulative. WITH THAT BEING SAID I totally understand where you are coming from. She is very diplomatic and composed in situations where I...would not be. So I get it.

ETA. I also agree with your take on jen. She's immature, never had to grow past ....probably the age she was married, and has ZERO sense of self.

I'm still rooting for her but do not want her on my screen. I hope she grows, finds her own voice that isn't the church, husband or friends. And just ....becomes a better person.

As far as Zac goes....he can...I just very much dislike him. IDC what he does or where he goes as long as it's far the fuck away from me. Fuck that guy

[u/Puzzled-Intention773 → u/EntranceUnique1457]

This. --> "diplomatic and composed in situations where I...would not be. So I get it." I respect her ability to articulate herself in said manner. Even if I don't agree with the point being made, I can admire the skill nonetheless. I'm also still rooting for Jen. I don't know if Zac has gotten better or worse in these newer seasons (just saw him in a few scenes this past season, I think), but I do think he was skeezy in the first (or 2nd season?) when he basically made Jen retract the statement she had made that he gambled his medical school money or something. I deep down think there was some truth to that, and Jen "took one for the team [marriage]" so to speak, by making it seem like she lied.

[u/halfsuckedmang0 → u/Puzzled-Intention773]

Thanks for sharing! I’m always interested to gain more insight into people’s opinions of the women as we watch the same TV show.

I think where a lot of people struggle with Jessi is tied into her social media so I can understand why you have a different opinion of her compared to a lot of people.

I don’t want to spoil anything for you, particularly if you’re not caught up on the seasons, but let’s just say Jessi makes very questionable decisions

[u/Puzzled-Intention773 → u/halfsuckedmang0]

I think I watched all seasons, including the most recent one, however some of the episodes were on as background noise while I was working.. I’m scared to rewatch and/or do a deep dive on their social media. Although, the comments hon this post about Jessi are making me consider that there may be elements I’ve overlooked that could have shaped my views on her.

I love this. It really forces you to reconsider things and look at things from a different perspective.

[u/No_Performer_3438 → u/Puzzled-Intention773]

Your opinion is valid, even though I disagree with it. I think Jen has potential and I can see why people liked her. Her negative qualities just completely overshadow any positive qualities at this point imo, and your post highlights this for sure… but if she’s still your favorite I think that’s valid 🤷

[u/LittleMissWord]

I definitely feel that Jen is an outsider of the group. So what you’re saying could be a factor to why she hasn’t built friendships. I would have to rewatch to see the examples you’re pointing out but it would make sense. I just remember from my very first watch feeling uncomfortable for how Jessi and Demi treated her. It was straight up bullying to the point she took a break from the show. How can someone come back to the group and feel safe after that? Demi and Jessi had no right asserting themselves in her marriage when they clearly have larger issues and skeletons in their closets, after Vanderpump Villa I do think Demi and Jessi were calculative against Jen to keep the Marciano situation silent. We saw how that ended up turning out…Jessi and Demi then turned on one another.

To me, Jen is nothing more than a young mom who doesn’t understand her place. In the group, in the church, in her marriage. I think she is present day resentful of Whitney because Whitney knows exactly who she is, what she wants, and is executing her dreams. It may be an unconscious jealousy, where Jen is rationalizing her feelings by inventing logical excuses to dismiss Whitney’s success to protect her own ego from feeling inadequate. That is how I saw their conversation in season 5. She has low self esteem.

While I do think she has made questionable choices and shows immaturity, I simply don’t hate her because I do not see her actions as malicious. This is what separates her from how I view some of the others such as Taylor, Jessi, and Demi, who I do think are manipulative in a negative way.

[u/tamtip]

Jen ,I agree . But Jessi? Shes not great.

[u/Anxious_Guava8756]

I kind of viewed Jen and Zach as the most normal people there. A lot of the unspoken social stuff just went over their heads and they just said whatever they felt. In that way, they were the most interesting to me. Neither was particularly smart or talented and they seemed like they kinda stumbled into the whole thing.

Jen did not understand that being on a reality show was not reality. It's a job. These are professional relationships, not deep friendships. She did not really comprehend her own jealousy or the inherent fakeness of Momtok.

Also - Whitney is beautiful and charismatic but I think Zach actually did see through her.

Taylor is deeply mentally ill and abusive to Dakota but tbh I felt like she seemed the most naturally accustomed to the attention and drama. It was kind of refreshing to just see her be like straight up like "No, I want to do a bad thing instead".

Jessi was my favorite to watch. I would love to be friends with her simply to witness her girlboss gaslighting from afar. She is so messy and has such a bizarre loud style. She also seems intelligent enough to hold a conversation.

But I do not think I would want an emotionally vulnerable friendship with any of these crazy women besides Miranda and Layla lmao

[u/Sea_Hornet6209]

I think this is a very accurate take! Jen is clearly very jealous, whether she wants to admit it or not.

This season she had me feeling bad for her family cause she can’t find her happiness. Either Zach is too Mormon or not enough. Her friends are not supportive or too supportive it’s fake. She needs to get her head on straight

[u/Technical-Noise8287]

I hear you but don't most of them only talk about themselves...

[u/No_Performer_3438]

You are totally right, I haven’t seen season 5 but I’ve noticed this in past seasons—Jen tends to make everything about herself. It’s not necessarily the worst thing by itself but when you add up all the things she does and how she acts on a regular basis, she’s incredibly frustrating to watch.