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Jen Affleck is sending a message to fans after the premiere of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season 4 amid the show’s recent pause after star Taylor Frankie Paul was again accused of domestic abuse.
“When I joined The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, I didn’t know what would come from it but I knew I wanted to share my story,” Jen, 26, wrote via Instagram on Sunday, March 22. “I hoped it could inspire someone or feel relatable. I wanted to be honest about what it’s like being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints, the beauty and the struggles.”
Jen noted that she wanted to “highlight marriage, being married at a very young age, the real pressures many couples face with culture and expectations,” referring to her 2019 wedding to husband Zac Affleck.
“I wanted to share what it felt like stepping into a world so different from the one I came from, and navigating the contrast between the two,” she wrote. “When I went on DWTS postpartum, my purpose was to represent moms to show our strength, our resilience, and what we’re capable of. To remind us that our dreams still matter, while honoring the incredible role it is to be a mother.”
Alongside the message, Jen shared a series of clips and photos through the years with Zac and their three children — daughters Nora, 4, and Penelope, 8 months, and son Luca, 2 — as well as her time on Dancing With the Stars season 34.
“I understand drama is what people expect from reality TV, but I wish more of the other real moments were shown too,” Jen continued. “The empowerment, the birth stories, the beauty of motherhood. Since I was dancing on my countertops as a young mom all I’ve ever wanted is to be a light and to help moms and others feel seen, hopeful, and inspired 🤍.”
She concluded, “My current TikTok search is literally ‘who is Jen Affleck’… and honestly, same. I’m still figuring out who I am, what I believe, what I want, and where I fit. Thank you to everyone who’s supported me along the way. I’m far from perfect, still learning, but I hope my vulnerability can be a source of good.”
In the comments section, Zac shared his support, writing, “I love you ❤️.” Costar Mikayla Matthews also added, “😍😍.”
Since the season dropped on Hulu, news broke that there is an open “domestic assault investigation” into an alleged dispute between Taylor and ex Dakota Mortensen, who is also featured on the show.
According to an NBC News report on Thursday, March 19, the cast met virtually with Hulu and Disney executives on March 7 to discuss how to proceed with production amid the ongoing investigation. The group ultimately agreed to pause filming.
“It’s a dangerous situation, it’s a sad situation, and we don’t know how to navigate it because Taylor is our friend,” one cast member said during the 30-minute call, per NBC News, which said it had obtained audio of the meeting.
The outlet reported that the cast member said they did not feel comfortable filming while Taylor was being investigated. Us Weekly reached out to Hulu for comment.
Mikayla, for her part, appeared to confirm that she and her costars cosigned the decision to pause filming.
“It was a decision that all of us girls came up with and agreed on. We didn’t feel comfortable filming with everything that was happening,” Mikayla wrote via her Instagram Story on Wednesday, March 18.
Taylor’s upcoming season 22 of The Bachelorette has since been cancelled by ABC.
“In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,” a Disney Entertainment spokesperson told Us on Thursday.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
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