Mormon Wives Star Announces Separation After Eight-Year Marriage
Mikayla Matthews, the 25-year-old star of the reality series The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives, has officially separated from her husband Jace Terry following eight years of marriage. The couple's split was revealed during the show's fourth season, which premiered on Hulu on Thursday, highlighting their ongoing struggles with intimacy and therapy.
Intimacy Issues and Childhood Trauma
Matthews, a mother of four, explained in a confessional that both she and Terry decided to separate after attempting to navigate their relationship through therapy. The reality star had previously opened up about being sexually abused as a child for approximately four to five years, a trauma that ended during her teenage years. This history has significantly impacted their marital dynamics.
"I think it's hard anytime you bring up the stuff with the sex and the intimacy," Matthews told Terry during the show. "I feel it's hard on me because again, my nervous system is already in fight or flight, and I'm already maxed out. My bucket is full."
Therapy Challenges and Health Battles
Despite attending therapy sessions together, Matthews admitted it was "hard to focus" while also dealing with her chronic eczema flare-ups. She expressed that her health struggles, including postpartum issues, have held her back in various aspects of her life, including her marriage. "Because it's hard to focus on anything else and be motivated to fix anything else while I'm in this state," she explained to castmate Whitney Leavitt.
Terry, however, emphasized the need for commitment to trauma therapy. "I know, but for me, it seems like the solution to that would be to commit to trauma therapy until you're at a point where it doesn't make your nervous system freak out," he responded.
No Intention of Permanent Separation
Matthews clarified that there is no "intention of being separated forever" and that they plan to see each other daily, especially for the sake of their children. "I think we're obviously still going to see each other every single day. I'm not trying to go even a day away from the kids anyway," she added.
In an interview with People published on Thursday, Matthews elaborated on their situation. "Last season, we dove into the beginning stages of it, and that was me revisiting all this trauma for the first time as well," she said. "It's still new to me, and it's new to him, and we're just navigating it the best way that we can." She believes resolving these issues will require "a lot more time."
Frustration and Helplessness
During a therapy session, Matthews recalled feeling so frustrated that she told Terry, "Okay, fine, go have sex with someone else. Like, leave me alone almost." She acknowledged the complexity of their situation, stating, "I feel like I'm working on so many different things outside of just sex, and I know that obviously he can't just be like, 'Okay, well we can go without that.'" Both partners have reached points of feeling "really helpless about it."
Terry shared his perspective with castmate Dakota Mortensen, expressing dissatisfaction with their lack of progress. "I'm definitely not okay with it, but I don't - me throwing fits about it all the time and getting [upset], that doesn't help anything. So I just feel like the only thing I can do is be patient and be there for her," he said.
Family Life and Public Appearances
Matthews and Terry married in March 2018 and share four children: Beckham, eight; Haven, six; Tommie, four; and Lottie, nearly one. Despite the separation, Terry recently appeared in an Instagram post shared by Matthews on Wednesday, featuring behind-the-scenes moments from filming the show's fourth season.
Last March, Matthews celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary with a heartfelt tribute on social media. "7 years married to my best friend he sticks by me and cheers me on in every aspect of my life," she wrote. "Has truly carried me through chronic illness and all the struggles that have come with it the last 3 years. Wouldn't want to do it with anyone else."
The fourth season of The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives, consisting of 10 episodes, is now available for streaming on Hulu, offering viewers an intimate look into this unfolding personal drama.
