The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Mikayla Matthews has separated from her husband, Jace Terry.
Amid Thursday’s season four release of the hit Hulu reality show, the couple revealed that following continued intimacy issues between them — that stemmed from Matthews being sexually abused as a child — they are now separated.
“It’s so incredible that everyone’s getting these opportunities and going out and living their dreams, but my health has held me back from saying yes to a lot of opportunities,” Matthews said in a confessional, as she explained her chronic illness began flaring up after the birth of her and Terry’s fourth child.
“It’s definitely discouraging and frustrating, and it kind of holds me back in other places in my life, like my marriage with Jace.”
Throughout the season, Matthews specifically connected with fellow cast member Whitney Leavitt about the situation, given that her spouse, Connor, was sexually abused as a child.
“Whitney and Jace are in a very similar place, having to deal with what happened to me and Conner and the implications that it’s brought into our marriage, so I feel like we have that shared experience,” Matthews said.
When Leavitt asks her co-star how her marriage is doing, Matthews said her biggest issue with her husband is “the therapy stuff.”
“I did one or two [sessions] with him, but I feel like I can’t work on that right now,” she said, noting that her health should be her “top priority.”
Terry also confided in a member of DadTok, Dakota Mortensen, to talk about his side of the story, explaining that Matthews is not trying hard enough to work through her struggles with intimacy.
“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.
Following an angry couple’s therapy session, Matthews reveals in a later confessional that she and Terry agreed to separate for her to focus on herself and work on the partnership later.
“I think it’s hard anytime you bring up the stuff with the sex and the intimacy. 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,” she explained to Terry.
“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 replied.
While the two have still been appearing together on both social media and at public events, Matthews told People they are still continuing to “navigate their relationship.”
“Unfortunately, I think it’s just something that’s going to take a lot more time. I feel like that’s all I can say on it now,” she said.
Season four of SLOMW is now available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu
Rape Crisis offers support for those affected by rape and sexual abuse. You can call them on 0808 802 9999 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, and 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland, or visit their website at www.rapecrisis.org.uk. If you are in the US, you can call Rainn on 800-656-HOPE (4673).