After Mikayla Matthews announced her departure from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, two of her cast members are now addressing their future with the show — or lack thereof. ICYMI, fans are speculating that Layla Taylor and Mayci Neeley are leaving SLOMW after seemingly hinting at their departures on social media.
On Sept. 14, Mikayla Matthews announced that she was leaving SLOMW on Instagram. In her post, she spoke about her decision to leave the show, with fans believing that the domestic abuse investigation between Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen was a driving factor. At the time of publication, no criminal charges have been filed in relation to the investigation. “This public atrocity that I not only lived through once but twice now, on even a bigger scale was ultimately the cost to my freedom,” Paul wrote in an Instagram post following the Salt Lake City court’s decision to deny filing criminal charges. “I wouldn’t wish this upon my worst enemy or even the ones who publicized it.” Mortenson also posted on Instagram following the court’s decision, writing in part, “I regret not stepping away from a difficult cycle sooner. I’m not perfect, and I take accountability for my part. I’m sincerely sorry to those I’ve hurt.”
In her caption, Matthews wrote, “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 with, 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. And for me personally, continuing to directly profit from this behavior feels wrong and unethical.” Her Campus reached out to Matthews’s team for comment on whether her decision was based on the investigation involving Paul and Mortensen, but did not hear back at the time of publication.
Matthews did end her announcement on a positive note, stating, “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.” Now, dans are speculating that two of her fellow co-stars, Layla Taylor and Mayci Neeley, are planning on leaving the show as well.
Recently, a fan commented on a TikTok of Neeley’s and asked her if she was planning on staying on the show. In response, Neeley said, “I am finishing this current season that we are filming and then not sure for after that.” The same day, she posted a TikTok talking about how some of the scenes she shot for Seasons 4 and 5 were ultimately cut. Her caption hinted at her leaving the show: “At the end of the day I don’t care about having ‘aura,’ I care about providing for my family and being a good wife [and] mother. Period. Going into SLOMW my intention has never been the fame, it has always been $$$ to provide for my family and to positively impact people by sharing my story. So I’ll take the cut and stay happy and healed.”
Taylor made a similar statement to Neeley. When answering questions on her Instagram story, a fan asked Taylor if she was planning on returning to season 6 after Matthews left. “I just love her so much,” she wrote. “It’s such an impossible situation for everyone involved, but I am finishing Season 6 and then [to be determined].”
So, could they be leaving? It’s possible, but as of right now, it’s speculated.
Is The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Over For Good?
Right now, it’s too soon to say. In August, Taylor revealed on Hulu’s Get Real podcast that the cast had begun filming Season 6 of SLOMW. Additionally, outlets reported that Hulu had ordered 20 more episodes of SLOMW, which are said to make up seasons 6 and 7. Still, with Matthew’s exit and Neeley and Taylor’s comments, there’s no telling whether #MomTok will survive this one.