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Mikayla Matthews just dropped a shocking bombshell about her marriage. The Mormon Wives star revealed in Season 4 that she and husband Jace Terry have separated. The couple is navigating intimacy struggles rooted in her childhood sexual abuse, with Mikayla prioritizing healing over marriage work.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Marriage Timeline: Mikayla and Jace married on March 1, 2018, just six months after welcoming their first son, Beckham
- The Root Cause: Intimacy issues stemming from Mikayla being sexually abused by three different people between ages six and fifteen
- Their Family: The couple shares four children, with their youngest daughter born on July 17, 2025
- Age Gap: Mikayla is 25 years old, while Jace is 30, giving them a five-year age difference that began during her teenage years
Season 4 Reveals the Breaking Point
In The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Season 4, viewers watched as Mikayla and Jace hit a relationship wall. The MomTok influencer confessed that she hasn’t made progress on intimacy issues despite couples therapy sessions. She explained her chronic eczema flare-ups and postpartum recovery left her too overwhelmed to tackle marital problems.
During a conversation with fellow cast member Whitney Leavitt, Mikayla said the decision to focus on her health came first. Her nervous system was in fight or flight mode, making emotional intimacy nearly impossible. Jace acknowledged her struggles but expressed frustration that the couple hadn’t progressed despite years of trying.
Mikayla Matthews splits from husband Jace Terry, opens up about separation
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What Led to the Separation Decision
The separation emerged as a practical solution when both partners realized they couldn’t move forward together. Mikayla wanted to focus solely on healing from childhood trauma without the pressure of meeting her husband’s physical needs. Jace, meanwhile, yearned for emotional and physical connection after years of intimacy struggles.
In a vulnerable conversation, Jace told Mikayla that any reconciliation would require her commitment to trauma therapy. Mikayla countered that she felt pressured discussing the issue while already maxed out. They agreed to separate while maintaining daily contact with their four children, avoiding a complete family split.
The Trauma Behind Their Marriage Struggles
Mikayla has been candid about her devastating childhood. She disclosed that she experienced sexual abuse from three different people between ages six and fifteen. These traumatic experiences created deep triggers around intimacy, particularly kissing and physical touch.
| Topic | Details |
| Abuse Timeline | Ages 6 to 15, spanning 10 years |
| Perpetrators | Three different people |
| Biggest Trigger | Kissing, more than physical intimacy |
| Current Impact | Nervous system dysregulation during intimacy attempts |
Her therapist work revealed that discussing sex and intimacy triggers her fight or flight response. Mikayla feels her healing bucket is already full from managing childhood trauma, chronic illness, and four young children. Adding marital pressure became unbearable.
“It’s still new to me, and it’s new to him, and we’re just navigating it the best way that we can. Unfortunately, I think it’s just something that’s going to take a lot more time.”
— Mikayla Matthews, speaking to PEOPLE about her separation and healing journey
How Jace Responded to the Separation
Jace opened up about his feelings during the Season 4 episodes. He confessed to DadTok friend Dakota Mortensen that he’s not cool with months passing without progress. But he also recognized that throwing fits or getting upset wouldn’t help Mikayla‘s healing process.
Jace expressed that separation might actually help. He wants Mikayla to finally commit to serious trauma therapy work so her nervous system can regulate. Without that foundation, he fears they’ll never rebuild intimacy. The former Waffle Love project manager, now a stay-at-home dad, showed patience mixed with realistic boundaries about their relationship’s future.
Will Mikayla and Jace Reconcile, or Is This the Beginning of the End?
Mikayla emphasized that separation isn’t permanent. She plans to see Jace daily because of their children and doesn’t want family dissolution. However, she acknowledged there’s no timeline for reunion. The pressure around their relationship is exactly what triggers her trauma responses.
In her exclusive PEOPLE interview, Mikayla stressed that reconciliation depends on her willingness to tackle trauma therapy head-on. She’s been through years of counseling already, yet her nervous system still struggles. The path forward remains uncertain as both partners prioritize Mikayla’s healing over traditional marriage structure. Will Season 5 bring breakthrough progress, or will this separation become permanent? Fans will have to wait and see.
Sources
- PEOPLE.com – Exclusive interviews with Mikayla Matthews on her separation from Jace Terry (March 12, 2026)
- The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Season 4 – Official Hulu series documenting couple’s struggles and separation decision
- Entertainment outlets – Coverage of Mikayla’s childhood abuse disclosure and marriage timeline
