Mikayla Matthews is officially closing the door on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” after five seasons.
The “MomTok” star revealed that she had already made up her mind before going public, after learning things about the series that she felt crossed a personal line.
Mikayla Matthews became one of the recognizable faces of “SLOMW” after joining the MomTok world and sharing her life with viewers. Throughout the series, she has opened up about motherhood, marriage, personal struggles, and her healing journey, making her sudden decision to step away a notable change for the reality star.
After five seasons on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” Matthews is officially stepping away, and the timing makes her exit even more striking. She revealed that she made the decision more than a week ago after receiving news that ultimately pushed her to walk away from the show.
The reality star did not present the move as an easy career decision. Instead, she made it clear that something had changed enough for her to decide she could no longer remain part of the series at this moment, despite how significant the show has been in her life.
That decision immediately sent fans into their feelings, with viewers flooding her comments with heartbreak and support. One commenter wrote: “say it ain’t so (Crying and love Emoji) so much respect for making this decision for yourself regardless, but i hope to see you elsewhere!”
Another added, “Mikayla – this is such a brave and right decision to make. For those of us who got to know you via social media, we will continue following your journey. Thank you for that.”
No Amount Of Money Was Worth The Price Of Staying
In her Instagram post, Matthews revealed she was uncomfortable remaining part of a show that she believed continued to platform behavior she disagreed with, particularly because of her own experience growing up in a home affected by multiple forms of abuse.
The reality star said there was “no amount of money” worth going against her morals or abandoning the stance she had held from the beginning. She also said continuing to profit from the behavior felt “wrong and unethical,” arguing that it was a disservice to children, people trying to heal, and the millions watching the show.
Her followers appeared to understand why the decision was so emotional. “You’re my favorite on the show, it’ll be sad to see you go, I was rooting for you and your husband, I hope you find your happiness together,” one person wrote. Another simply shared, “love you forever mikay,” showing just how strongly some viewers connected with her time on the series.
Mikayla Matthews’ Feud With Taylor Frankie Paul Put The Show Under Pressure
Matthews’ decision to walk away comes after weeks of increasing public tension with fellow “SLOMW” star Taylor Frankie Paul. What started online quickly became a much bigger issue, with both women trading accusations and addressing the fallout through Instagram Stories and comments.
The Hollywood Reporter reported that their feud intensified after Matthews publicly said she was “setting boundaries” with Taylor. At the same time, the two continued taking shots at each other online and eventually unfollowed one another.
The tension was unfolding against an already difficult period for the series. Production on Season 5 had previously been paused following an alleged domestic violence incident involving Taylor and Dakota Mortensen, before filming resumed with the cast lineup changing. With so much happening away from the cameras, the latest departure only adds to questions about what comes next for “SLOMW.”
The Show’s Fifth Season Was Already On Shaky Ground
The drama between the cast was unfolding at a particularly awkward time for “SLOMW.” Season 5 had already faced major uncertainty after production was paused, leaving the future of the series looking far less stable than viewers might have expected.
As reported by The Blast, the production shake-up came after Taylor’s legal troubles involving her ex Dakota Mortensen, with the resulting fallout creating tension among the cast.
Taylor later suggested that some of her co-stars were jealous of her success, while Matthews pushed back against what she viewed as attempts to claim credit for opportunities the women had earned themselves.
Although Season 5 eventually moved forward, the cast dynamics had clearly changed. Taylor was expected to have a smaller presence than the other women. In contrast, other cast members continued filming, leaving the series heading into its new season with a very different dynamic than before.
Mikayla Matthews Is Taking Her Healing Journey Beyond The Show
Long before leaving “SLOMW,” Matthews had been sharing her health struggles and connecting with others facing similar challenges. Her journey has even taken her away from Utah as she looks for ways to focus on her well-being.
That desire to help others became clear when Matthews revealed plans to bring someone from her community on a wellness retreat and cover their flight and treatment.
The Blast reported that she opened nominations for someone dealing with chronic health challenges, hoping to offer them the kind of support she felt fortunate to receive herself.
Leaving the show does not mean leaving the public eye. Matthews plans to keep sharing her story, health journey, and advocacy, potentially turning a difficult chapter into something that helps others.
