{"id":398963,"date":"2026-03-23T01:08:23","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T01:08:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/398963\/"},"modified":"2026-03-23T01:08:23","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T01:08:23","slug":"mikayla-matthews-responds-to-criticism-of-estranged-husband-jace-terry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/398963\/","title":{"rendered":"Mikayla Matthews Responds to Criticism of Estranged Husband Jace Terry"},"content":{"rendered":"

Originally appeared on E! Online<\/a><\/p>\n

Mikayla Matthews<\/a><\/strong> is coming to her ex\u2019s defense.<\/p>\n

After The Toast podcast hosts Jackie Oshry<\/strong> and Claudia Oshry<\/strong> crowned the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives<\/a> star\u2019s estranged husband Jace Terry<\/strong> as their \u201cweenie of the week,\u201d Mikayla took to the comments section to slam their remarks.<\/p>\n

\u201cJackie hates Jace,\u201d Claudia said through laughs in a recent episode of their podcast in a clip shared to Instagram March 20<\/a>. \u201cActually, people don\u2019t even know the extent that you really hate him. She sends me these crazy voice memos when she\u2019s watching the show being like, \u2018You ugly little rat. Why are you the f–k away from your wife who just had a baby?\u2019 I f–king hate him.\u201d<\/p>\n

After Claudia added that \u201che doesn\u2019t get enough hate,\u201d Jackie chimed in, \u201cI just want him to shut the f–k up for a minute. Like, let your wife breathe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Coming to her ex\u2019s defense, Mikayla commented, \u201cI hate this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Days earlier, Mikayla announced that she and Jace\u2014who share kids Beckham<\/strong>, 8, Haven<\/strong>, 6, Tommie<\/strong>, 4, and Lottie June<\/strong>, 8 months\u2014were separated amid ongoing intimacy struggles<\/a>.<\/p>\n

More from E! Online<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Jace and I stayed up all night talking about the pros and the cons of separating,” Mikayla shared during a confessional in the ninth episode of the show’s fourth season. “Between all of the MomTok drama and the pressure that I feel to get my marriage in a good place, I’m definitely reaching a breaking point. We both agreed to do a separation.”<\/p>\n

\"Mikayla<\/p>\n

Mikayla Matthews\/Instagram<\/p>\n

However, the 25-year-old noted how they don\u2019t see their conscious uncoupling as a permanent decision.<\/p>\n

“I feel like I’ve done a lot of therapy work already and my stuff is still bad,” Mikayla told her husband of eight years as she packed her bags to stay with costar Mayci Neeley<\/strong>. “I don’t think it’s with the intention of being separated forever.”<\/p>\n

“I think we’re obviously still gonna see each other every single day,” she added. “I’m not trying to go even a day away from the kids anyway.”<\/p>\n

\"Mikayla<\/p>\n

Mikayla Matthews\/Instagram<\/p>\n

Recently, Mikayla shared an update<\/a> on where she and Jace, 30, stand today.<\/p>\n

\u201cLast season, we dove into the beginning stages of it,\u201d Mikayla told People of dealing with the repercussions of sexual abuse she experienced in her teenage years in an article published March 12<\/a>. \u201cAnd that was me revisiting all this trauma for the first time as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

As for their separation, \u201cIt’s still new to me, and it’s new to him, and we’re just navigating it the best way that we can,\u201d she said. \u201cUnfortunately, I think it’s just something that’s going take a lot more time. I feel like that’s all I can say on it now.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a status check on more Mormon Wives stars\u2019 relationships, read on\u2026<\/p>\n

Taylor Frankie Paul & Dakota Mortensen: Broken Up<\/p>\n

\"<p>Taylor<\/p>\n

While Taylor Frankie Paul<\/strong>‘s romance with Dakota Mortensen<\/strong>\u2014with whom she welcomed their son Ever <\/strong>in 2024\u2014bloomed on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, they called it quits due to Dakota’s infidelity<\/a>. <\/p>\n

“Right after Ever was born, Dakota and I were living together and in bliss with our new baby, and I was even considering engagement,” Taylor\u2014who began dating the real estate agent in July 2022\u2014revealed during the season two premiere of the Hulu series. “And then I learned that he was lying this entire time.”<\/p>\n

Taylor was told by a woman named Jenna<\/strong> that she and Dakota had been intimate and he had “spent the night more than once.” (He has denied the claims, writing in a September 2024 TikTok<\/a> that he “never cheated.”)<\/p>\n

On the series, Taylor said that Dakota accused Jenna of instigating their affair.<\/p>\n

“No, it was him,” she emphasized in the confessional. “He said he had just kissed her on the couch. No, he went on the couch, they hooked up on the couch, and then they went to the room and they hooked up.”<\/p>\n

\"<p><span>Since<\/p>\n

Since ending her romance with the Basin Tiling founder, Taylor is smelling the roses. The mom of three (she shares Indy <\/strong>and Ocean<\/strong> with ex-husband Tate Paul<\/strong>) is ready to find love once again <\/a>on season 22 of The Bachelorette. <\/p>\n

Nonetheless, she and Dakota are committed to developing a successful co-parenting relationship<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“We’re just trying to both heal individually and get to a better spot, because I think together, obviously, we couldn’t get there,” Taylor told E! News in May 2025. “Right now, we’re doing the best we can for our baby and what happens in the future, I’m not sure. Right now, I’m focusing on only me.”<\/p>\n

Things got a bit thorny, however, when news broke in early March of an alleged confrontation between the exes. <\/p>\n

A spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department confirmed to People<\/a> that there was an open “domestic assault investigation,” telling the outlet “allegations have been made in both directions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Whitney Leavitt & Connor Leavitt: Married<\/p>\n

\"<p>Whitney<\/p>\n

Whitney Leavitt<\/strong> found the perfect dance partner in Connor Leavitt<\/strong>, whom she wed in 2016. But it wasn’t always smooth sailing for the couple\u2014who share kids Sedona<\/strong>, Liam<\/strong> and Billy<\/strong>\u2014as they navigated life in the spotlight. <\/p>\n

For instance, the Dancing With the Stars alum had to shut down rumors about her husband’s sexuality.<\/p>\n

“Do I need to put out a sex tape, or something? Like, trust me,” she said on the Off the Vine podcast in October 2024. “We’re good. Everything’s fine.”<\/p>\n

“I think it’s because when we were going through our personal stuff\u2014and I know you haven’t seen it\u2014but he struggled through a porn addiction,” she explained. “There’s a scene where one of my friends says something along the lines of how they could see how he was confused sexually.”<\/p>\n

Through the ups and downs, the reality star emphasized that she and Connor\u2014who were 23 and 22, respectively, when they got married\u2014are stronger than ever. In fact, they even renewed their vows in February 2026 for their 10th wedding anniversary.<\/p>\n

“We got married really young,” Conner told Brides after their ceremony. “It felt like our wedding day, as much as it was for us, it really felt like it was for our families. So we really want to do something to make it ours, and this felt like a really fun way to do it.”<\/p>\n

Jen Affleck & Zac Affleck: Married<\/p>\n

\"<p>Jen<\/p>\n

While Jen Affleck <\/strong>and Zac Affleck<\/strong>\u2014no relation to Ben Affleck,<\/strong> despite jokes to the contrary\u2014have been married since 2019, the couple has been at the center of breakup rumors<\/a> since season one. <\/p>\n

In fact, their fight after Jen attended a Chippendales striptease show in Las Vegas became a focal point of the first season. The couple\u2014who share kids Nora<\/strong>, Penelope<\/strong> and Lucas<\/strong>\u2014made up, however, and the Dancing With the Stars contestant later defended their relationship<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“It can be tiring and draining, just because it gets old having to hear the same things,” Jen told E! News of the speculations in November 2025. “For me, I’m like, ‘People will always talk and people will always have their opinions.’ I think it is frustrating for him when people don’t see what’s happening behind closed doors and how much work and effort he’s putting in.”<\/p>\n

So, she and Zac are focusing on what really matters: “We’re working on just tuning out the noise of the world\u2014I think it still is hard for him.”<\/p>\n

Jessi Ngatikaura & Jordan Ngatikaura: Married<\/p>\n

\"<p>Jessi<\/p>\n

Jessi Ngatikaura <\/strong>and Jordan Ngatikaura<\/strong>‘s marriage, too, has had its share of major bumps along the way. After the couple\u2014parents to kids Jagger<\/strong> and Jovi<\/strong>\u2014hit a rough patch when<\/a> Jessi had an emotional affair <\/a>with Vanderpump Villa’s Marciano Brunette<\/strong>, they’ve since hit smoother roads<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“We are back together,” Jessi told E! News in November 2025. “We’re trying to work on it. Relationships are not perfect. I think a situation like ours\u2014it’s going to take time. It’s not going to something that’s just amazing overnight.”<\/p>\n

“We’re in therapy,” the reality star\u2014also mom to daughter Peyton<\/strong> from a previous relationship\u2014explained. “We have our ups and downs, but we’re just showcasing our story, hoping it can help others and that they can relate to it ’cause it’s real.”<\/p>\n

Mayci Neeley & Jacob Neeley: Married<\/p>\n

\"<p>Mayci<\/p>\n

Mayci didn’t expect to find love with Jacob Neeley<\/strong>. In fact, a<\/a>fter the unexpected death of her boyfriend Arik Mack<\/strong><\/a> in 2015, when she was just 14 weeks pregnant with their son Hudson<\/strong>, she was prepared to be a single mom. <\/p>\n

But it all changed when she met Jacob in 2016 at age 21, whom she would marry two years later.<\/p>\n

“After everything I’d been through, I was very guarded, but Jacob was kind and we got on really well,” Mayci said in her memoir Told You So. “For a long time, we remained just friends and because we weren’t really dating, I was OK with him meeting my son.”<\/p>\n

“Jacob was amazing with him, which made him appear even more attractive,” she continued. “I was terrified of getting hurt again but, after four months, I couldn’t deny my feelings any longer. He was kind and funny and made me feel safe.”<\/p>\n

Mayci and Jacob went on to welcome daughters Harlow<\/strong> in 2021 and Charli<\/strong> in 2025. <\/p>\n

Demi Engemann & Bret Engemann: Married<\/p>\n

\"<p>Demi<\/p>\n

Demi Engemann<\/strong> and her husband Bret Engemann<\/strong> tied the knot in 2021, one year after she and Blake Corbin<\/strong> divorced. As the couple’s relationship played out on the reality show, their sexual explorations became a major plot point after Whitney gifted Demi a box of Fruity Pebbles.<\/p>\n

The truth behind the joke gift wasn’t revealed until Jessi shared on Instagram in November 2025<\/a> that “grandpa Bret likes to drink her piss like it’s dirty soda and he gulps it down like water.”<\/p>\n

But Demi and Bret aren’t crying over spilled secrets\u2014or pee. In fact, she told Entertainment Tonight<\/a> that December that she and Bret “have nothing else left to do other than own it and have fun with it.”<\/p>\n

Although their sex life raised eyebrows, the couple has been embracing life with their blended family. While Demi shares daughter Maude<\/strong> with her ex, Bret is dad to his and The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City alum Angie <\/strong>Harrington<\/strong>‘s sons Rome <\/strong>and Cole<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

“I’ve never seen a dad so involved or love their kids harder, the most devoted step-dad to Maude, and future father to our own children one day,” Demi wrote on Instagram in June 2024. “Your ability to remain consistently loyal to your role as father\/step-father while navigating all that life throws your way, will never cease to amaze me!”<\/p>\n

Mikayla Matthews & Jace Terry: Separated<\/p>\n

\"<p>Mikayla<\/p>\n

Mikayla Matthews <\/strong>and Jace Terry<\/strong> have been through it all together. While The reality star first met Jace in 2015 when she was 15 and they welcomed their first son Beckham<\/strong> two years later. Since then, the couple\u2014who tied the knot in 2018\u2014welcomed kids Haven<\/strong>, Tommie<\/strong> and Lottie<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

While Mikayla and Jace have been loving life with their four kids, Mikayla admitted that she hopes to grow their family even further.<\/p>\n

“When people ask me how many kids I want, I’m like, ‘I’ve always wanted three or four, but I could see myself having six,'” she told People<\/a> in February 2025. “I’m excited to hopefully move into a new house. I want a big lot for my herd of kids.”<\/p>\n

However, Mikayla confirmed in the ninth episode of the show’s fourth season that she and Jace were taking time apart amid ongoing intimacy struggles.<\/p>\n

As Mikayla began unpacking her trauma surrounding years of sexual abuse as a teen, as well as her chronic illness\u2014which causes flare-ups due to heightened stress\u2014their marriage had been deeply affected.<\/p>\n

“I think it’s hard anytime you bring up the stuff with the sex or the intimacy,” she admitted to Jace. “I feel like it’s hard on me ’cause I feel like, again, my nervous system’s already in fight or flight and I’m already maxed out. My bucket is full.”<\/p>\n

Layla Taylor & Clayton Wessel: Divorced<\/p>\n

\"<p>Layla<\/p>\n

After Layla Taylor<\/strong><\/a> and Clayton Wessel<\/strong>\u2014who are parents to sons Oliver<\/strong> and Maxwell<\/strong>\u2014divorced in 2023, the reality star teased her new romance with Mason McWhorter<\/strong> in July 2025.<\/p>\n

Their relationship was a bit complicated on paper. Hang with us: Mason’s brother is Chase McWhorter<\/strong>, the ex-husband of Layla’s costar Miranda McWhorter<\/strong>. But the pair had been willing to put their romance to the test.<\/p>\n

“Right now, I’m kind of scared of marriage but I just want to get to know somebody very well before I even consider that,” Layla told Us in November 2025. “I’m just happy and content where me and Mason are. And if somehow that ever were to come up, then we would see.”<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, the mom of two confirmed that she and Mason had split<\/a> in February 2026.<\/p>\n

“I think we were just on two different paths right now, and he felt in order for him to grow, he had to be on his own,” Layla shared. “I respect his decision, and I truly hope that he gets what he wants in life.”<\/p>\n

Miranda McWhorter & Chase McWhorter: Divorced<\/p>\n

\"<p>Miranda<\/p>\n

Although Miranda is a newer addition to The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, joining in season two, she played a major role in the infamous MomTok “soft swinging scandal.”<\/a> Despite the situation with Taylor, Miranda revealed that drama wasn’t the reason for her 2024 divorce from Chase.<\/p>\n

“The reasons why we decided to split were things that were issues far before that,\u201d she explained on the Weekly Trash<\/a> podcast in August 2024. “That might not have helped, for sure, but it definitely did not play a part in the decision process.”<\/p>\n

Nonetheless, she and Chase have been committed to parenting their kids Brooks<\/strong> and Cohen<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

“With coparenting, you’re always having to work on it,” she reflected. \u201cThe thing is that if we got along perfectly all the time and it was just rainbows and butterflies, we probably wouldn’t have gotten divorced.”<\/p>\n

“The thing with him and I,” she continued, “we’ve always had a pretty good foundation of a friendship prior to even having a romantic relationship. I feel like that’s something that set us up for some level of success when it comes to co-parenting.”<\/p>\n

For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App<\/p>\n