Mikayla Matthews is opening up about her decision to exit The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives as a result of Taylor Frankie Paul’s return.
“To make things more clear and shut down any assumptions … the only reason I’m leaving the show is because I was told a certain person was coming back … because it’s unethical and kids are involved,” Mikayla, 26, wrote in a lengthy Instagram Stories statement on Tuesday, September 15. “I’m being put in an unfair position because of the things I’ve seen and heard that I don’t agree with. I filmed [season] 6 cause that person was not there. Then we were told she was coming back.”
The Hulu reality series halted production on season 5 in March after Taylor, 32, and her ex Dakota Mortensen were involved in an alleged incident 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 wake of the scandal, Hulu aired a condensed season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, but will return in full for seasons 6 and 7.
Mikayla, who joined the cast in season 1, shared her reaction to Taylor’s return in her statement. “I said, ‘Great, then I will not be participating, God bless and goodbye,’ [and I] haven’t filmed a day since.”
She continued, “This wasn’t a spur of them [sic] moment decision and it wasn’t influenced a single percent by season 5 coming out. In fact [I] already had that brought to everyone’s attention and I had a stance when I was doing season 5 interviews. No ultimatums, I’m not in control of who comes and who leaves.”
Taylor Frankie Paul Mike Baker / The Academy via Getty Images
Mikayla concluded, “If you guys watched season 5 and thought, ‘Wow, this is hard to watch, incredibly triggering and frustrating, imagine having it be your reality every day. Why would you willingly agree to put yourself back in [an] environment that has caused all that discomfort for every single person on this cast and crew?”
A second Instagram Story requested that fans “leave me alone” in the wake of her decision. “My life does have to go on outside of this and I’ve been heavy on that block button. I do have to continue to provide for my family and have a lot of exciting things lined up and want to enjoy my life,” she wrote. “I love you all, I want the best for everyone.”
After Taylor’s scandal, authorities confirmed that she would not be charged over the alleged February incident with Dakota.
Yesterday, Taylor seemingly addressed her Mormon Wives costars via a cryptic Instagram Story. “I stayed off my phone most of the day then got on just to see more videos directed to me and, as a group, they are STILL going and if I respond, I’m in the wrong,” she wrote over a mirror selfie. “The only reason I’m continuing the show is to share my story and hopefully help people. I originally had no desire to be around them either but I have a bigger purpose I’m aiming towards and need to focus on that only. I have a good heart at [my] core and I just need to remember I’m not this evil person they want me to be.”
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