Season 3 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives didn’t just unpack Jessi Ngatikaura‘s affair with Vanderpump Villa star Marciano Brunette — the new episodes also included claims that Jordan Ngatikaura has been emotionally abusive.
The new season, which started streaming on Hulu on Thursday, November 13, immediately addressed Marciano’s claims that he hooked up with Jessi, 33, after they met on Vanderpump Villa. Jessi clarified that she had an emotional entanglement with Marciano — that led to some kissing — before she confessed to Jordan, 31.
Jessi confided in her costars Mikayla Matthews, Mayci Neeley, Taylor Frankie Paul, Layla Taylor and Miranda McWhorter that she was separated from Jordan as a result of issues in their marriage. She specifically said she was “beaten down” emotionally by Jordan, with the show flashing back to footage of them arguing over the years.
After Marciano, 32, continued to claim he had sex with Jessi, she convinced him to sit for a lie detector test. Jessi’s answers confirmed her side of the story — although certain answers returned inconclusive. Jessi remained at odds with Demi Engemann though after Marciano claimed she played a role in the rumors that were being spread around.
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Demi, 30, for her part, was missing from the first half of the season amid her feud with most of MomTok. She returned in the finale and was able to make amends. Jessi, for her part, appeared to be on the track to reconciliation with Jordan.
The drama originally started on Vanderpump Villa when Demi, Jessi, Jen, Layla and Mikayla were guests on season 2 of Lisa Vanderpump’s series. During their stint in Italy, Marciano insinuated that his connection with Demi extended beyond the footage that made it into the show. Demi, however, shut down the rumors that she was unfaithful to husband Bret Engemann with Marciano.
“Nothing happened with Marciano. At the expense of sounding rude, there wasn’t even a remote attraction to him. It sucks that women can’t be kind and friendly and even playful with men in this world without it being taken as like you’re open. I had a rock on my finger the entire time I was there,” she exclusively told Us Weekly in May. “I brought up my marriage multiple times and they were told that we were married women — so it sucks that we couldn’t just go and have a good time and that he couldn’t respect that.”
Marciano then made a surprise appearance in the season 2 finale of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives where he revealed it was actually Jessi that he had an intimate relationship with when cameras weren’t rolling.
“One thing led to another. Oh, more than [us making out],” he claimed to Layla. “As soon as I saw her, she jumps into my arms and wraps her legs around my waist. I thought we were cool in the Villa but then she was extremely forward.”
Jessi previously acknowledged going through a rough path 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,” Jessi told Us in June. “That was definitely hard.”
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She 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.”
At the time, Jessi admitted it wasn’t easy to discuss her marriage issues publicly.
“It was definitely something that was hard. I always say Taylor [Frankie Paul]’s been so vulnerable with the audience, with her relationship and her life. I think you’re going to see a lot more of that from me next season. Luckily, I had her to look to as a guide for that,” she shared. “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.”
Despite both her and Jordan making “mistakes” in the past, Jessi seemed hopeful for the future.
“We’re back working on things. Every day is different,” she noted. “Marriage is hard. We still have ups and downs — and you will see a lot of that unfold in season 3. I do think that overall it’s going to be inspiring to people. I hope that a lot of people can relate.”
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is currently streaming on Hulu.
