Jessi Draper’s Husband Files for Divorce After Five Years of Marriage
Jessi Draper, a prominent figure from the reality television series The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives, is set to embark on a new chapter as her husband, Jordan Ngatikaura, has officially filed for divorce. The couple, who tied the knot in 2020, share two young children, Jagger, aged five, and Jovi, aged three. The divorce filing occurred on March 19th at a courthouse in Utah, as reported by TMZ.
Ngatikaura issued a statement acknowledging the difficulty of the decision, expressing that while the split is not easy, his primary focus will remain on their children. “This has not been an easy decision and it comes with a heavy heart,” he stated. “I’m grateful for the shared memories and the lessons.”
He further elaborated on his commitment to their children’s well-being during this period of transition. “While our paths are now moving in different directions, my priority remains my children and ensuring they feel loved, supported, and protected through this transition,” Ngatikaura added. “I am committed to handling this next chapter with kindness and respect. I kindly ask for privacy and understanding as we navigate this as a family.”
This news follows a period of public discussion about the state of their marriage. In late November of the previous year, Draper spoke with People magazine, detailing her experience of “emotional abuse” from her estranged husband. She described the insidious nature of such behaviour, explaining, “It starts off slow. It’s not like one big dramatic thing happens. It’s little behaviors over time, and then all of a sudden you look back and you’re too deep in it and you can’t do much about it.”
Ngatikaura responded to these claims with a statement to the same outlet, taking responsibility for the hurt he caused. He expressed, “I take full accountability for the pain I caused Jessi during our marriage.”
Despite the public disclosures and the filing for divorce, Draper had previously indicated that the couple were actively working on their relationship. Earlier in the current month, she told People that both she and Ngatikaura were engaged in extensive therapy, which she found to be beneficial. “It has helped a lot,” she commented.
Draper has been vocal about sharing the “ups and downs” of her marriage, aiming to normalise the struggles that many couples face. “Even in a good relationship, you’re gonna have ups and downs,” she explained. “So I just think it’s good to show people that it’s worth fighting for, it’s worth working through and it’s something that’s always a work in progress.”
The third season of Mormon Wives documented a significant moment in their relationship when the pair agreed to a 90-day separation to focus on their marriage. During this time, Draper also admitted to having an emotional affair with Marciano Brunette, a star from Vanderpump Villa.
More recently, Draper has reverted to using her maiden name, Draper, instead of her husband’s surname. She discussed this decision with Cosmopolitan, attributing it primarily to her professional life. She stated that Ngatikaura is “such a hard name to pronounce, and it just didn’t make sense if I’m having a public career.” However, she also confessed that there was an underlying consideration related to the state of her marriage: “But there was a part of me, too, that was like, ‘Things [with Jordan] are rocky, and if it goes this way, at least people already know me as Draper.'”
This name change was a point of contention, as revealed in the season four premiere of Mormon Wives. Draper shared with her castmates, as reported by Us Weekly, that “Jordan is still really upset about the name change, even though I know it’s what’s right for me.”
Adding another layer of complexity to their marital discussions, Draper also revealed concerns regarding their prenuptial agreement. She met with her father to review the prenup, noting that it had been in place for over five years. While discussing the matter with her co-stars, Draper became emotional as she shared a critical detail: the prenup could potentially be “voided” because the couple “did not have witnesses sign [the prenup].” This revelation deeply unsettled her, as she expressed concern about its potential implications for her business and family’s financial security.
The couple’s journey has been documented on the show, providing viewers with an intimate look into their relationship’s challenges and triumphs. Last October, Ngatikaura publicly celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary with a heartfelt tribute on Instagram.
Accompanying a collection of photos spanning their years together, he wrote, “Five years married to my ride or die, my best friend, and the love of my life. We’ve been through it all highs, lows, laughter, lessons and somehow we just keep going. I’m so grateful for you @_justjessiiiii for your heart, your fire, and the way you love our family.” He concluded his message with, “Here’s to everything we’ve built and everything still ahead. I love you more than ever. ❤️.”
In addition to their shared children, Jagger and Jovi, Ngatikaura is also a father to a 13-year-old daughter named Peyton from a previous relationship. The unfolding of this divorce will undoubtedly continue to be a significant storyline for fans of The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives.
