Mikayla Matthews Quits Mormon Wives Over Paul Controversy — SkimNews
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- Mikayla Matthews announced on Instagram she will not return for Season 6 of 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,' saying she made her decision 'over a week ago, after hearing some news' and that 'there's no amount of money worth going against my morals.'
- Matthews specifically cited her own experience 'growing up in a home with multiple forms of abuse' as shaping her stance, and said continuing to 'directly profit from this behavior feels wrong and unethical' and like 'a disservice to the children.'
- Taylor Frankie Paul is the apparent target of Matthews's criticism; production of Season 5 was paused after domestic violence allegations from ex Dakota Mortensen, with whom Paul shares a child, and a resurfaced video showing Paul physically assaulting Mortensen preceded ABC canceling the premiere of 'The Bachelorette.'
- Matthews and Paul clashed during the most recent season over Paul's resistance to criticism of her personal life; the two mended things on camera, but Matthews said relations deteriorated off-camera.
- Hulu will 'seemingly continue to work with' Paul, a decision Matthews said is not good for her mental health or for the rest of the cast and their children.
- Matthews concluded by rejecting unconditional sympathy without accountability: 'Supporting an ADULT doesn't mean constantly making excuses for toxic behavior while giving unconditional sympathy and grace with zero accountability or change,' adding she had previously been 'in that enabling cycle for years.'
Why it matters: Matthews's departure creates a visible split inside the MomTok cast over whether the show should continue to center Paul, whose resurfaced domestic violence video already cost ABC a 'Bachelorette' premiere. With Hulu appearing to retain Paul and Matthews walking away from the income, the network now faces a cast-versus-star credibility split that could shape casting decisions and audience trust heading into Season 6.
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