Mormon Wives Star Files for Divorce Amidst Castmate Scandal

Jessi Draper, known for her role in "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," is divorcing her husband, Jordan Ngatikaura, after five years of marriage. Court documents reveal Ngatikaura filed for divorce on Thursday, March 19. This development coincides with the unprecedented cancellation of the upcoming season of The Bachelorette, which was set to star Draper's "Mormon Wives" castmate, Taylor Frankie Paul, amid escalating controversy.

Ngatikaura expressed that the decision was difficult but stated his priority remains their children. Draper, who owns JZ Styles, and Ngatikaura, a solar energy company manager, married in October 2020 and share two young children. Ngatikaura also has a daughter from a previous relationship.

Evidence of marital strain was apparent prior to the filing, as fans noted Draper removed Ngatikaura's handle from her Instagram and reverted to her maiden name. The couple's struggles were depicted in the fourth season of "Mormon Wives," which recently premiered on Hulu. In November, Draper had revealed to PEOPLE that she experienced emotional abuse, leading to a separation.

This divorce news follows a tumultuous week for the "Mormon Wives" ensemble, largely due to the ongoing scandal surrounding Taylor Frankie Paul. Investigations into alleged domestic violence incidents and public altercations led ABC to pull Paul's season of The Bachelorette.