Jessi Ngatikaura’s marriage to Jordan Ngatikaura made headlines after she was accused on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives of having an affair with Marciano Brunette.
The couple started dating and got married before the hit Hulu series premiered in September 2024. During the first season, Jessi’s personal life wasn’t in the spotlight, but that all changed after she filmed two episodes of Vanderpump Villa. From there, rumors spread about Jessi’s relationship with Marciano, which she denied was anything more than a friendship while filming season 2.
The season 2 finale, which aired in May 2025, took Us by surprise when Marciano claimed he slept with Jessi. She didn’t initially clarify the allegations but noted that there was more to the story, which would play out on screen.
“I’ll say I’m an open book. Even though there were things I hadn’t shared yet — once I was in the position to share them — I have nothing to hide,” she exclusively told Us Weekly in June 2025. “I was willing to just lay it all on the table.”
‘Mormon Wives’ Couples Status Check: Who Is Still Together? Who Broke Up?
Jessi said it is important to “just be honest,” sharing, “I’ve made mistakes. My husband has made mistakes. Everyone in their life has made mistakes. I think sharing those is relatable and hopefully people can get something out of it.”
Despite the ongoing obstacles, Jessi sounded hopeful about her future with Jordan.
“Every relationship has ups and downs. But when you’re on reality TV, it puts a microscope on it and everyone sees everything and has opinions. It’s hard not to have it affect your friendships, your relationships and your family life,” she noted. “That was definitely hard.”
Jessi continued: “Now that we’re done filming for a little while, I’m just going to focus on my family, my kids and get back on track with all of that. Then hopefully I will be in a better head space for the next time we film — if we do.”
The reality star acknowledged how filming the show played a role in her and Jordan’s marriage issues, saying, “It was definitely probably the hardest time of my life filming the next season. I do think it’s going to help a lot of people. I’m excited to share my story and help with what some women go through. I do think that it’s going to be a good thing — as hard as it is.”
Keep scrolling to relive Jessi and Jordan’s romance:
Before 2019
Jessi was previously married to a man named Zach before moving on with Jordan, who was raising his first daughter, Peyton, from a previous relationship.
December 2019
“Happiness is that feeling that comes over you when you know life is good and you can’t help but smile,” Jordan wrote in his and Jessi’s Instagram debut. “@justjessiiii makes me feel this way everyday. You started out as my friend and I’m so glad that blossomed into what we have today. I feel so lucky to have you in my life.”
February 2020
Jordan proposed to Jessi two months later, writing, “The girl of my dreams; you’re my best friend and soul mate. I can’t imagine my life without you. We are tying the NGAT.”
April 2020
The pair expanded their family with son Jagger.
“He is our perfect chunky boy!” Jordan captioned the post. “Unfortunately he’s having some problems with his lungs and is currently in the NICU getting some help. He is a fighter just like his momma and has been doing so much better today than last night. He’s such a blessing to our life and we feel so lucky he choose us to be his parents 
.”
How Many Cheating Scandals Were Explored on ‘Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’?
October 2020
After welcoming their first baby together, Jessi and Jordan exchanged vows later that year.
October 2021
“Happy first anniversary to my sweet sweet wife! Thank you for being the best mom and wife that I could ask for,” Jordan wrote via Instagram. “We have been through so much in such little time and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us; I love you @justjessiili.”
February 2022
While reflecting on their marriage, Jessi praised her husband, writing, “Husband appreciation post for this guy because the sacrifice he’s making for our family is amazing to me. It’s not easy to leave your home and your family to do a job that requires leadership, resilience and a great work ethic.”
She continued: “I’m in awe of what he’s doing for himself and our family C I miss you more than life but l’m also the most proud wife. Love you baby!!!”
2023
Jessi gave birth to her and Jordan’s second baby, daughter Jovi.
September 2024
Hulu viewers were introduced to Jessi and Jordan when The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives premiered. In addition to the duo, the reality series focused on Jen Affleck and husband Zac Affleck, Demi Engemann and husband Bret Engemann, Whitney Leavitt and husband Conner Leavitt, Mikayla Matthews and husband Jace Terry, Mayci Neeley and husband Jacob Neeley, Taylor Frankie Paul and then-partner Dakota Mortensen and Layla Taylor. (Miranda McWhorter, meanwhile, joined the show in season 2 after her split from Chase McWhorter.)
October 2024
“Happy 4th Anniversary to my ride or die
,” Jordan captioned his anniversary post. “Through all of life’s crazy ups and downs you’re the one I can always count on. I pick you forever and I love the life we have built and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for us and our babies. Love you to the 
.”
Jessi celebrated the major milestone as well, adding, “Happy Anniversary @justjordddy 
4 years has felt like 4 lifetimes, we’ve done so much and lived such a full life in such a short amount of time. We went back to the place we got engaged tonight and I think it’s safe to say we’ve gotten better with time 
love you babe!!”
May 2025
The second season of Mormon Wives called Jessi’s marriage into question when Marciano claimed they had an affair. Jessi denied the allegations but later admitted she had issues she needed to address with Jordan.
“I will say that reality TV is hard on any relationship, whether it’s a friendship or a marriage,” Jessi revealed on “The Viall Files” podcast in May 2025. “We’ve been through a lot, and now it’s going to be public.”
Jessi was also asked about not wearing a wedding ring and noted that she and Jordan were “working through things,” adding, “We’re trying our best — but things are a little tricky right now. I’m excited to hopefully someday share more about that. But right now it’s just real life and it’s hard.”
Everything to Know About ‘Mormon Wives’ Season 3 After Affair Cliffhanger
June 2025
“We’re back working on things. Every day is different,” Jessi exclusively told Us. “Marriage is hard. We still have ups and downs — and you will see a lot of that unfold in season 3.”
Jessi noted that she was hopeful about their future, adding, “I do think that overall it’s going to be inspiring to people. I hope that a lot of people can relate.”
According to Jessi, the pair “didn’t have a choice” or option to work things out privately, resulting in the cameras capturing their marital woes.
July 2025
Jessi was directly asked whether she had sex with Marciano at the Mormon Wives reunion.
“A lot of this story is unpacked in season 3 so I can’t talk about it yet,” she said before assuming that Jordan felt “anxious, nervous and sad” hearing her discuss a possible affair. “We’re both going through a lot right now. But I think he’s willing to tell his truth too and he’s been very vulnerable throughout season 3. So we both just laid it all out there. There was a lot more to the story and it’s not what you think it is. There’s no secrets. Like, we are exposing it all.”
Jessi clarified that any interactions with Marciano happened “after” he allegedly spoke with Demi off screen. Later in the special, Jordan joined the group and revealed whether he thought he and Jessi would work through their issues.
“I knew what happened because of the conversations that I had had with Jessi, but it was really tough to have the allegations made,” he said about continuing to work through their issues. “I tried to talk to Bret [about Marciano]. It’s a really tough place to be. I see him a couple times a week. We wave at each other at the gym, but outside of that we don’t talk.”
July 2025
In the season 3 trailer, Jordan’s immediate reaction to the rumors about Marciano and Jessi played out, with him saying, “If I find anything else out, I am done.”
Jessi, for her part, was later seen asking Marciano, “Why did you lie to Layla about us?” Marciano hinted that he was “influenced” by Demi and even agreed to a lie detector test with Jessi about what actually happened between them.
