Mikayla Matthews has walked away from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, and she is not hiding the reason. The 26-year-old reality star announced on September 14 that she would not continue with the Hulu series, and a day later she confirmed it was directly because Taylor Frankie Paul was returning to film Season 6. Fans across social media have responded with one clear message: good for her.
Trigger warning: This article discusses domestic violence allegations and abuse. Reader discretion is advised.
What Mikayla Matthews Said About Leaving the Show
Matthews shared her decision in a lengthy Instagram post on September 14, writing that she made the choice over a week before going public. “I made my decision over a week ago, after hearing some news, that I will not be continuing the show at this moment,” she wrote. She explained that she was no longer comfortable being part of something that “continues to platform behavior I don’t agree especially given my own experience growing up in a home with multiple forms of abuse”.
She made it clear that money was not a factor. “There’s no amount of money worth going against my morals or changing the stance I’ve had since I first saw and heard the things that made me feel this strongly,” Matthews added. “And for me personally, continuing to directly profit from this behavior feels wrong and unethical. It feels like a disservice to the children, everyone’s healing and the millions of people watching”.
The Reason Behind Her Exit
On September 15, Matthews returned to Instagram Stories to remove any doubt about why she was leaving. “The ONLY reason I’m leaving the show is because I was told a certain person was coming back,” she wrote. “I told [production] before agreeing to do [season] 6 that I wasn’t going to film if that certain someone came back. Because it’s UNETHICAL and kids are involved”.
Matthews did not name Paul directly, but the context was unmistakable. She had filmed portions of Season 6 while Paul was absent from production. “I filmed [season] 6 cause that person was not there.. then we were told she was coming back,” Matthews continued. “I said great, then I will not be participating, god bless and goodbye, haven’t filmed a day since”.
Why Taylor Frankie Paul’s Return Sparked the Decision
Paul’s return to filming followed a turbulent year for the franchise. Production on Season 5 was paused in March 2026 amid a police investigation into domestic violence allegations involving Paul and her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen. Leaked footage from a 2023 incident showed Paul throwing a chair at Mortensen with a child nearby, which later led ABC to pull her season of The Bachelorette from its schedule.
Paul and Mortensen filed mutual restraining orders against each other and became locked in a custody battle over their shared son, Ever. No charges have been filed in the matter. Season 6 entered production without Paul, but Variety confirmed with multiple sources that she was later invited back.
Matthews explained that watching Season 5 back did not influence her choice. “If you guys thought, ‘Wow this is hard to watch, incredibly triggering and frustrating,’ imagine having it be your reality everyday,” she wrote. “Why would you willingly agree to put yourself back in that environment that has cause all that discomfort for every single person on this cast and crew”.
Fans Rally Behind Mikayla Matthews
Support for Matthews poured in quickly across Reddit, Instagram, and TikTok. On the r/popculturechat subreddit, one user wrote, “Glad someone is standing up for their morals instead of a paycheque, good for her”. Another commented, “Same, and good for Mikayla. They shouldn’t be forced to be subject to TFP’s volatile mood swings and abusive behavior, and I hope the other women follow suit”.
Comments on her Instagram announcement echoed the same sentiment. “Good for you!! way to stand your ground. Now the rest should do it too!” one user wrote. Another added, “The rest of the women need to follow your lead on this one”. A separate commenter shared, “Mikayla – this is such a brave and right decision to make. For those of us who got to know you via social media, we will continue following your journey. Thank you for that”.
Not everyone was ready to say goodbye. One fan wrote, “say it ain’t so (Crying and love Emoji) so much respect for making this decision for yourself regardless, but I hope to see you elsewhere!”.
Costars React and Some Hint at Leaving Too
Matthews’ announcement drew supportive comments from several of her costars. Mayci Neeley wrote, “My girl [red heart emoji] love you bb,” while Layla Taylor added, “I love you.” Miranda Hope and Whitney Leavitt shared similar messages of support under the post.
Two of her costars have since suggested their own futures on the show are uncertain. Mayci Neeley, 31, responded to a fan asking if she was staying on the show by writing, “I am finishing this current season that we are filming and then not sure for after that”. Layla Taylor, 25, also addressed the question during an Instagram Q&A, writing, “I just love her so much,” referring to Matthews. She added, “It’s such an impossible situation for everyone involved, but I am finishing season 6 and then [to be determined]”.
Neeley posted a longer message on TikTok, writing, “At the end of the day I don’t care about having ‘aura,’ I care about providing for my family and being a good wife/ mother. Period. Going into SLOMW my intention has never been the fame, it has always been $$$ to provide for my fam and to positively impact people by sharing my story. So I’ll take the cut and stay happy & healed”.
Cast Changes Continue for Season 6
Matthews is not the only departure from the series. Whitney Leavitt announced her exit after Season 5, revealing the news during her final performance as Roxie Hart in Chicago on Broadway in May 2026. Dakota Mortensen and Jordan Ngatikaura will also not return for Season 6. Jessi Draper confirmed their exits during an interview on the Just Trish podcast released on September 15. “No. Jordan and Dakota are both done filming,” she said. “Which is good, because once you’re an ex, there is no need, I don’t think. So, I think it’s okay. Wish them the best. But like, let’s just keep it the women, you know?”.
Matthews noted that she will still fulfill her “contractual obligations and interviews for what I have filmed and that’s the end of it”. She also asked fans to respect her space in a second Instagram Story. “My life does have to go on outside of this and I’ve been heavy on that block button. I do have to continue to provide for my family and have a lot of exciting things lined up and want to enjoy my life,” she wrote. “I love you all, I want the best for everyone”.
Related:
Where to Watch The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
Season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives premiered on September 10 with five episodes, streaming on Hulu in the USA and on Disney+ for international audiences including the UK, Canada, Australia, and India. Season 6 is currently in production and does not yet have a release date. Hulu has renewed the series for 20 more episodes across Seasons 6 and 7.
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