Mormon Wives’ Mikayla Matthews Details Decision Behind Season 5 Pause

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It turns out The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is a democracy.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m following the news about ‘Seeking Sister Wife,’ and it sounds like filming for season five has temporarily stopped. It all started after reports of a domestic dispute involving Taylor Frankie Paul and her ex, Dakota Mortensen. From what I understand, the cast actually made a collective decision to pause production, and Mikayla Matthews shared that information.

During an Instagram Q&A on March 19th, Mikayla responded to a fan asking if filming had stopped by explaining that she and the other women on the show had collectively decided to pause production because they weren’t comfortable continuing under the circumstances.

With rumors swirling on social media about a possible rift between Taylor and the other women on the show, cast member Jessi Draper addressed speculation that the rest of the cast were envious of Taylor’s increasing attention.

On March 17th, Jessi commented on an Instagram post for the No Filter With Zach Peter podcast, clarifying that her feelings weren’t based on jealousy.

On March 16th, police told People magazine that Dakota and Taylor are involved in an ongoing investigation regarding alleged domestic assault. According to authorities, both individuals have accused each other.

After the news broke, a representative for Dakota Johnson—who shares 2-year-old son Ever with Taylor Lautner—told Entertainment Weekly on March 18 that Dakota’s main concern is protecting their son.

Honestly, it always seemed like he suspected this information might surface eventually, but he definitely wasn’t going to be the one to bring it up. He’s always prioritized having a good relationship with Taylor, and I think that’s why he stayed quiet.

The rep noted Dakota ultimately “wants to co-parent well” with his ex. 

Taylor spoke about the reported incident while promoting the new season of The Bachelorette, which starts airing on March 22nd.

I’m known for being honest and speaking my mind,” the 31-year-old told Lara Spencer on Good Morning America recently. “I’ll share when I’m ready, but right now, I’m focused on living in the moment and, most importantly, on my kids.

Taylor, who shares two children with her ex-husband, Tate Paul, explained that it’s been difficult balancing her personal life and the recent attention she’s received. She said it’s been a stressful time, constantly shifting between focusing on her family and dealing with public headlines.

About the filming halt, Taylor clarified that although she’s an executive producer, she isn’t in charge of the day-to-day production decisions.

For a closer look at the relationships featured on Mormon Wives, read on. 

Oh my gosh, I was so invested in Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen! They met and fell in love on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, and I was thrilled when they had their little boy, Ever, in 2024. But then… it all fell apart. Apparently, Dakota cheated, and Taylor just couldn’t get past it. It’s heartbreaking, honestly! I followed their whole story, and it’s just so sad to see it end like that.

Taylor shared on the second episode of her Hulu series that shortly after her daughter Ever was born, she and her boyfriend Dakota were very happy and she was even thinking about getting engaged. However, she then discovered he had been dishonest with her the whole time.

Taylor was accused by a woman named Jenna of having a relationship with Dakota, claiming they had been intimate on multiple occasions. Taylor has publicly denied these accusations, stating in a TikTok post from September 2024 that he was faithful.

On the series, Taylor said that Dakota accused Jenna of instigating their affair.

She told the interviewer, “It was definitely him.” He admitted to kissing her on the couch, but then clarified they actually had sex there. They then continued in another room.”

After her breakup with the founder of Basin Tiling, Taylor is enjoying life and open to new possibilities. The mother of three – Indy and Ocean, whom she shares with her former husband, Tate Paul – is hoping to find love again as the star of season 22 of The Bachelorette.

Nonetheless, she and Dakota are committed to developing a successful co-parenting relationship.

Taylor shared with TopMob News in May 2025 that she and her partner are both working on personal healing so they can move forward. She explained that they weren’t able to progress as a couple, and her current priority is doing what’s best for their child while focusing on her own well-being. She isn’t sure what the future holds.

The situation became complicated in early March when reports surfaced about a possible argument between the former couple.

A representative from the Draper City Police Department told People magazine they are investigating a reported domestic assault, and that both people involved have accused each other of wrongdoing.

Whitney Leavitt married Connor Leavitt in 2016, and he’s become her ideal life partner. Together, they have three children – Sedona, Liam, and Billy – and have worked through challenges while living their lives in the public eye.

For instance, the Dancing With the Stars alum had to shut down rumors about her husband’s sexuality.

She jokingly asked if she needed to resort to extreme measures to prove things were okay, saying, “Like, do I need to put out a sex tape?” She then assured listeners, “We’re good. Everything’s fine,” during an October 2024 appearance on the Off the Vine podcast.

Okay, so I’ve been doing so much digging, and apparently, things were really tough for him personally – stuff nobody really knew about. She told me he battled a porn addiction, which explains so much! And get this – there’s a scene where one of her friends basically says they could tell he was messed up about sex, like he didn’t understand what he wanted. It all makes sense now! I knew there had to be something deeper going on, and this confirms it. I’m obsessed with understanding everything about him, and this piece of the puzzle is huge!

Despite challenges, the reality star shared that she and her husband, Connor, are closer than ever. They originally married when they were 22 and 23 years old, and recently reaffirmed their commitment by renewing their vows in February 2026, marking their 10th anniversary.

Conner shared with Brides that they married young and felt their wedding was as much about celebrating their families as it was about their own commitment. They wanted to create a uniquely personal experience, and they felt this was a really enjoyable way to do that.

Jen and Zac Affleck, who are married and unrelated to Ben Affleck despite what people joke, have been dealing with breakup rumors ever since their first season on a show.

A major argument erupted after Jen went to a Chippendales show in Las Vegas, and it became a central issue in the first season of their show. Despite the fight, the couple – parents to Nora, Penelope, and Lucas – reconciled, and the Dancing With the Stars contestant later spoke out to support their relationship.

Jen explained to TopMob News in November 2025 that constantly hearing the same rumors was exhausting. She said she’s accepted that people will always talk and share their opinions. However, she feels it’s especially frustrating for him when others don’t understand the hard work and dedication he’s putting in privately.

Honestly, it’s just so amazing to hear her say they’re really prioritizing each other. She explained they’re trying to block out all the negativity and just focus on what’s important, and it breaks my heart a little that she even admits it’s still a struggle for Zac. It’s like, they’re so in love, but the world keeps trying to pull them down! I’m just so happy they’re fighting for their happiness.

Jessi and Jordan Ngatikaura have faced challenges in their marriage. After a difficult time caused by Jessi having an emotional connection with Marciano Brunette from Vanderpump Villa, they’ve been working towards a more stable relationship. The couple are parents to Jagger and Jovi.

Jessi shared with TopMob News in November 2025 that she and her partner were working on rebuilding their relationship. She explained that relationships aren’t always easy, and after what they’ve been through, it will take time and effort to get things back on track—it won’t be a quick fix.

The reality star, who is also a mother to her daughter Peyton from a previous relationship, shared that she and her partner are in therapy. She explained that, like any couple, they experience challenges, but they’re choosing to share their journey openly in hopes that it resonates with and helps others who might be going through similar things because it’s authentic.

Mayci never imagined she’d fall in love with Jacob Neeley. After her boyfriend, Arik Mack, unexpectedly passed away in 2015, she braced herself for single motherhood – she was 14 weeks pregnant with their son, Hudson, at the time.

But it all changed when she met Jacob in 2016 at age 21, whom she would marry two years later.

In her memoir, Told You So, Mayci explained that she was cautious due to past experiences, but she and Jacob connected quickly. They stayed friends for a while, which made her comfortable with him meeting her son, since they weren’t officially dating at the time.

She explained that Jacob was wonderful with him, and that made him even more appealing. Although she was scared of being hurt again, she admitted she couldn’t ignore her feelings after four months. He was a kind, funny person who made her feel secure.

Mayci and Jacob went on to welcome daughters Harlow in 2021 and Charli in 2025.

Demi Engemann married Bret Engemann in 2021, following her divorce from Blake Corbin the year before. Their relationship, featured on a reality show, gained attention when Whitney gave Demi Fruity Pebbles, which led to discussions about their intimacy.

Jessi revealed in a November 2025 Instagram post that her grandfather, Bret, has a surprising and unsettling habit: he drinks her urine as if it were a soft drink, consuming it quickly like water. This explained the strange gift he’d given her.

Okay, so Demi and Bret? They’re just handling everything with such grace, it’s amazing! I read that she actually said they’ve gotten to the point where all they can do is laugh about it all – own it, have fun, you know? It’s honestly so refreshing to see, especially after everything that happened. They’re just…perfectly handling it, and I’m living for it!

Despite some attention on their intimate life, the couple is happily adjusting to life as a blended family. Demi has a daughter named Maude from a previous relationship, and Bret has two sons, Rome and Cole, with Angie Harrington, who is known from The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.

In a heartfelt Instagram post from June 2024, Demi shared how much she admires her husband’s dedication to his children. She described him as an incredibly loving and devoted father to Maude and excited about becoming a dad to their future children. Demi was especially impressed by his consistent loyalty and strength as a father and step-father, even when facing life’s challenges.

Mikayla Matthews and Jace Terry have a long history together. They first met in 2015, when Mikayla was 15, and had their son Beckham two years later. They married in 2018 and have since welcomed three more children: Haven, Tommie, and Lottie.

Mikayla and Jace are enjoying raising their four children, but Mikayla has expressed a desire to have more kids in the future.

In a February 2025 interview with People magazine, she said she’s always pictured having three or four children, though she wouldn’t rule out having six. She’s also looking forward to moving to a new house with a large yard, perfect for a big family.

In the ninth episode of the show’s fourth season, Mikayla revealed that she and Jace were separating temporarily because they were having difficulties with their physical connection.

Mikayla’s marriage suffered as she started to deal with the painful memories of sexual abuse she experienced as a teenager, and her ongoing health problems, which worsened whenever she felt stressed.

Talking about sex or intimacy is really difficult for me,” she told Jace. “It feels overwhelming because I’m already on edge and completely stressed. I just don’t have the capacity to deal with it right now.”

Following her divorce from Clayton Wessel in 2023, Layla Taylor – mother to Oliver and Maxwell – hinted at a new relationship with Mason McWhorter in July 2025.

Their relationship looked tricky when you considered the family connections. Here’s the deal: Mason’s brother, Chase McWhorter, was previously married to Miranda McWhorter, who works with Layla. Despite this, they were determined to make their relationship work.

In November 2025, Layla told Us that she’s not quite ready for marriage right now, but she’s open to building a deep connection with someone first. She expressed contentment with her current relationship with Mason, and said they would consider marriage if it ever became a topic of conversation.

Unfortunately, the mom of two confirmed that she and Mason had split in February 2026.

Layla explained that she and her partner were simply growing in different directions, and he needed space to pursue his own path. She understands and accepts his decision, and wishes him all the best.

Miranda joined the show The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives in its second season and quickly became central to the widely discussed “soft swinging scandal” involving MomTok personalities. However, despite the controversy with Taylor, Miranda has stated that the situation wasn’t the cause of her divorce from Chase in 2024.

She explained on the Weekly Trash podcast in August 2024 that the reasons for their breakup had been brewing for a long time. While recent events might not have made things better, she insisted they weren’t a factor in the decision to split up.

Nonetheless, she and Chase have been committed to parenting their kids Brooks and Cohen.

She noted that coparenting requires ongoing effort. She added that if their relationship had been flawless, they likely wouldn’t have divorced.

“The thing with him and I,” she continued, “we’ve always had a pretty good foundation of a friendship prior to even having a romantic relationship. I feel like that’s something that set us up for some level of success when it comes to co-parenting.”

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2026-03-19 15:18