Jessi Draper has made it very clear that she has officially moved on after filing for divorce from her ex, Jordan Ngatikaura, as the “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star has fully embraced the dating scene.
However, moving on has not come without a host of online opinions, and Draper recently spoke about tuning out all the noise and criticism.
In an Instagram video on Saturday, April 25, Jessi Draper gave her fans a “life update” on dating and her healing journey after filing for divorce from Jordan Ngatikaura.
“I know that you guys see a lot of headlines and videos and photos about my life, and something that I have learned from being on reality TV is that everyone has an opinion,” Draper said in the clip. “But healing after divorce is so interesting because everyone’s process is different.”
“I know a lot of people don’t understand that I’m dating and hanging out and just having fun,” the reality star continued. “And when you’re in a relationship where you don’t feel valued, and you don’t feel like you were treated well, it feels so nice to just talk to people who make you feel valued and treat you well.”
Draper Also Addressed The Criticism About Focusing On Motherhood Instead Of Dating
Many online have accused Draper of prioritizing dating over being an active parent.
“And I think one of the biggest comments I see is, ‘Go heal and focus on your children.’ And what I want to say to that is: Two things can be true,” she began.
“I have my kids 50 percent of the time now, so I am focusing on healing and spending time with them, but when I don’t have them, I’m also focusing on myself and reprioritizing being happy, honestly,” Draper added. “And it’s been really fun to just be happy and to be giddy and to just let loose and kind of see that men don’t have to be what I have experienced for so long.”
She also provided assurance that she has no plans to jump into another committed relationship anytime soon.
“I do plan on being single for a long time and just hanging out with different people and having fun and finding connections while also focusing on myself,” the JZ Styles founder said.
Draper Has Sparked Dating Rumors With Former Fling Marciano Brunette And Spotted Kissing ‘Mormon Wives’ Chase McWhorter
In March 2025, Deuxmoi shared a tip alleging that Draper and McWhorter, the ex-husband of “Mormon Wives” star Miranda Hope, were spotted kissing at a friend’s birthday party, but nothing was initially confirmed.
However, a short time later, Hope posted a photo of flowers and an apology note from Draper, indicating that the kissing rumor was indeed true.
“I completely understand you being upset with me,” the note read. “But wanted to send you a little something to let you know I’m thinking about you, and I am so, so sorry. -Jessi.”
Hope further addressed the rumors in an interview with Entertainment Tonight.
“What I never want to get misconstrued is that there is not any emotional attachment to Chase. He is my co-parent. Although I do feel disrespected by Chase, I feel slighted by my friend. Chase and I are no longer partners, and while I have high expectations of him as a co-parent, I also hold my friends to a high standard and believe in girl code,” she told the outlet.
Things with Brunette, however, appear to be more romantic. “Mormon Wives” fans know that Draper and the “Vanderpump Villa” star had an intimate encounter while she was still married, so they seemed to have resumed things.
There have been multiple posts across Instagram and TikTok of the two being out together, kissing, and cuddled up. Draper recently admitted that Brunette is part of her “roster” of men she is currently dating.
Production For ‘Mormon Wives’ Recently Resumed Following Taylor Frankie Paul Drama
After Paul avoided charges in her domestic violence case with ex Dakota Mortensen, news followed about the future of the show.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, the “Mormon Wives” production team is letting Taylor Frankie Paul take the lead on when (and in what capacity) she wants to return to the show.
An inside source close to Paul also revealed to the outlet that production remains supportive of Paul and is ready to film with her at her own pace “if and when she is ready.”
Paul previously shut down claims from PEOPLE that the show would resume production without her, writing in the Instagram comments of the post, “Interesting, that’s not the call I got.”
Draper Previously Supported Paul Throughout Her Domestic Violence Investigation
In an interview on Alex Cooper’s “Call Her Daddy” podcast on March 25, “Mormon Wives” star Jessi Draper publicly addressed the domestic violence allegations and 2023 video release regarding Taylor Frankie Paul, and voiced her support.
“I don’t like to judge someone in their darkest moment. I don’t want to judge the person, I’ll judge the mistake,” Draper said. “Taylor really has made a lot of changes, and that’s what’s so hard for me. This is my real friend, and she does have a really good heart, and I love her so much.”
Draper noted that Paul has been dealing with a lot of pain behind the scenes, which she said is not necessarily indicative of who she is.
“Seeing that video is so hard, because there’s so much pain underneath the surface for Taylor,” she said during the interview, visibly holding back tears. “It’s not who Taylor is. She got caught in a really bad cycle.”
