Shivangi Sinha
Hulu’s ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ has long been a space where cast members share deeply personal experiences, and season 3 was no exception. Mikayla Matthews received significant praise from viewers for bravely opening up about the sexual abuse she endured in her youth and the impact it continued to have on her life. She also allowed cameras to follow her through therapy sessions and showed her commitment to healing. Her honesty and vulnerability resonated strongly with fans, who appreciated her willingness to confront such painful memories on screen.
Mikayla Matthews Has Alleged that Her Abuser Was Close to Her Family
Mikayla Matthews shared that she endured sexual abuse from the ages of six to fifteen. She explained that on Halloween 2015, she finally told her mother, but felt her disclosure wasn’t fully believed or acted upon. Mikayla later expressed empathy for her mother, acknowledging that she had her own struggles, yet admitted they were not very close and their relationship remained difficult. These factors made opening up about her trauma for the first time incredibly challenging. Mikayla eventually began therapy, found meaningful support there, and her healing journey was documented during season 2.
In season 3, Mikayla opened up in greater depth and said that her abuser was someone close to the family, though she chose not to disclose their identity. Describing the complicated emotions she still carries, she admitted, “I still feel protective for some reason over the person that did it to me. I think I’m just wanting to protect myself and that person still. I don’t want to ruin any family relationships.” In therapy, Mikayla explained that there had been earlier moments when she tried to speak about the abuse but felt dismissed, which made her reluctant to share the full extent of her trauma, even with her husband, Jace Terry. As she navigated her struggles with intimacy and the resurfacing of past wounds, she decided to pursue EMDR therapy to confront and process the experiences she had long kept buried.
Mikayla Matthews Has Been Commended for Her Bravery
Mikayla Matthews explained that she had long carried guilt and shame, growing up in an environment where sex was never openly discussed. As a child, she was placed in situations she didn’t understand and wasn’t able to distinguish right from wrong. Later, being taught that everything related to sex was “wrong” only deepened her confusion, which led her to struggle with her libido and intimacy in her personal life. Opening up about these feelings allowed her and Jace to have more honest conversations, including hearing how he sometimes felt she wasn’t emotionally connected to him. Since sharing her story, Mikayla has received immense support from viewers who praised her courage for speaking so vulnerably on national television. She recognizes the importance of what she is doing and the impact her openness may have on others facing similar experiences.
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