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The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives just lost another cast member after Mikayla Matthews confirmed her decision to exit the show due to Taylor Frankie Paul‘s involvement.
“I made my decision over a week ago, after hearing some news, that I will not be continuing the show at this moment ❤️,” Mikayla, 26, who joined the cast in season 1, wrote via Instagram on Monday, September 14.
Mikayla clarified that her choice was related to Taylor, 32.
“I’ve said from the beginning of this that I’m not comfortable being a part of something that continues to platform behavior I don’t agree especially given my own experience growing up in a home with multiple forms of abuse,” she continued. “There’s no amount of money worth going against my morals or changing the stance I’ve had since I first saw and heard the things that made me feel this strongly.”
In her statement, Mikayla noted that “continuing to directly profit from this behavior feels wrong and unethical,” adding, “It feels like a disservice to the children, everyone’s healing and the millions of people watching.”
Despite how The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives helped Mikayla “provide” for her family, she made it clear she wasn’t returning as the cast continues to film season 6.
“This show has been a huge part of my life and has helped me provide for my family. I’m so grateful for the experience, and will continue sharing my story, my health and advocating for myself and others ❤️,” she wrote. “This shouldn’t be ‘relatable’ or entertainment in anyway.”
The post concluded: “Supporting an ADULT doesn’t mean constantly making excuses for toxic behavior while giving unconditional sympathy and grace with zero accountability or change. I was in that enabling cycle for years, and I’m not going to be a part of that again!🫶🏼 love you all.”
Mikayla has been publicly at odds with Taylor after news broke in March that production on season 5 was paused due to an alleged incident between Taylor and her ex Dakota Mortensen that occurred one month prior. Dakota, 33, and Taylor subsequently filed temporary restraining orders against each other, with Dakota earning temporary custody of their 2-year-old son, Ever. Taylor was granted supervised visits until their next court hearing.
In the aftermath of the scandal, ABC opted “to not move forward” with season 22 of The Bachelorette, pulling Taylor’s premiere days before the first episode was set to debut. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, meanwhile, aired a condensed fifth season but is returning for seasons 6 and 7.
Authorities have since confirmed that Taylor would not be charged for the February incident with Dakota. Taylor, for her part, defended her decision not to stay silent about her legal issues with Dakota.
“I’ll continue sharing on social media showing how ugly healing can truly be. Making and editing videos is my way of processing just like people who like to write into a journal,” she wrote via Instagram in April. “This is my way and I choose to share it. Saying this with love, most people would need to get off and [that is] so understandable. I’m not most.”
Dakota also issued his own statement.
“Over the past several weeks, I’ve taken a step back and had time away from the chaos. That space has been a breath of fresh air and has given me clarity. My focus now is where it should have been all along-on my son and creating a stable, healthy environment for him moving forward,” Dakota wrote via Instagram at the time.
The post continued, “I regret not stepping away from the difficult cycle sooner. I’m not perfect, and I take accountability for my part. I’m sincerely sorry to those I’ve hurt. At the same time, I don’t agree with how this situation has been portrayed publicly. It does not reflect the full context of what occurred or the impact it has had on me and my son.”
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