News - Jessi Draper from 'Mormon Wives' Faces Divorce Amid Past Turmoil

Jessi Draper, star of 'The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives,' finds herself at the center of a media whirlwind as her husband, Jordan Ngatikaura, has filed for divorce. The couple, married for five years, has two young children, Jagger, aged five, and Jovi, aged three. News of their split surfaces amid Draper's vocal critiques of certain plastic surgeries and her allegations of prior emotional abuse within the marriage. The divorce proceedings began when Ngatikaura filed the necessary paperwork at a Utah courthouse on March 19. In a public statement, he acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, expressing a commitment to maintaining their children's welfare as the paramount concern. 'This has not been an easy decision and it comes with a heavy heart. I’m grateful for the shared memories and lessons,' shared Ngatikaura, emphasizing kindness, respect, and privacy as priorities moving forward. Draper and Ngatikaura's marriage has encountered previous turbulence, including a temporary separation in 2025. Draper, having opened up about enduring emotional abuse, described it as an insidious development in her relationship. 'It starts off slow. It’s not like one big dramatic thing happens. It’s little behaviors over time, and then all of a sudden you look back and you’re too deep in it,' she revealed, reflecting on her past experiences. In response to these allegations, Ngatikaura has publicly acknowledged his role and taken responsibility for his actions during their marriage. Both Draper and Ngatikaura have since sought therapy, which Draper attributed to aiding their personal and relational healing. Despite their separation, Draper has remained transparent about her marriage's trials, underscoring that every relationship requires effort and perseverance. She stressed that it is normal to face challenges in a relationship, stating, 'Even in a good relationship, you’re gonna have ups and downs... it’s worth fighting for, it’s worth working through and it’s something that’s always a work in progress.' Amid these personal strains, Draper confessed to an emotional affair with Marciano Brunette, a star from 'Vanderpump Villa,' highlighting the complexities and sometimes painful realities of relationships seen more in the lens of media scrutiny. As the story continues to unfold, Draper's journey will perhaps shed light on the difficult, yet often transformative process of marital dissolution and personal growth.