MomTok may not make it after all.
Secret Lives of Mormon Wivesstar Jessi Draper is heading for divorce, per court documents obtained byEntertainment Weekly. Jordan Ngatikaura, Draper's husband of five years, filed for divorce in a Provo, Utah, district court on Thursday, March 19 — the same day that ABC took the unprecedented step of canceling the upcoming 22nd season ofThe Bachelorettestarring Draper'sMormon Wivescastmate, Taylor Frankie Paul.
"This has not been an easy decision and it comes with a heavy heart," Ngatikaura shared with EW on Thursday. "I'm grateful for the shared memories and the lessons. While our paths are now moving in different directions, my priority remains my children and ensuring they feel loved, supported, and protected through this transition."
Entertainment Weeklyhas reached out to Draper, and to a representative for Ngatikaura for comment.
Draper, owner of the hair company JZ Styles, and Ngatikaura, the manager of a solar energy company, were married in October 2020. They share two children: five-year-old son Jagger Zayn and three-year-old daughter Jovi. Ngatikaura also has a daughter named Peyton from a previous relationship.
The filing lands with an added shock, coming amid the cascading controversy around Paul. But fans ofMormon Wivesmay not be so surprised.
Earlier this week, fans noticed thatDraper removed his handle—and the ring emoji next to it —from her Instagram bio. Months prior she reverted to her maiden name on the same page, ditching the Ngatikaura.
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The couple had been enduring a rocky period in their marriage, which played out on the fourth season ofMormon Wivesthat dropped onHululast week.
In November, Drapertold PEOPLEthat she had endured "emotional abuse" in her marriage, leading to a 90-day separation. In a statement to the outlet, Ngatikaura shared, "I take full accountability for the pain I caused Jessi during our marriage."
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This development is the latest shake-up to theMormon Wivesensemble, following a week-long marathon of controversy surrounding Paul. After police confirmed an investigation had been opened into a recent,alleged domestic violence incidentbetween Paul and her ex, Dakota Mortensen,TMZ surfaceda video depicting a disturbing altercation between the pair in the presence of one of Paul's children from 2023.
That led to the plug being pulled fromThe Bacheloretteseason 22, set to star Paul.
"Taylor is very grateful for ABC's support as she prioritizes her family's safety and security," a representative for Paul told EW on Thursday. "After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm."
Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly
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