Things are escalating quickly in the divorce between “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Jessi Draper and her husband, Jordan Ngatikaura. What started as a confirmed split has now taken a more serious turn, with court records revealing a temporary restraining order filed amid their ongoing divorce proceedings. While details remain murky, the timing alone is raising eyebrows.
Jessi Draper Divorce Heats Up With Disputed Restraining Order Filing
The unraveling of Draper and Ngatikaura’s marriage became official earlier this month. According to reports confirmed by PEOPLE, Ngatikaura filed for divorce on March 19. Just one day later, on March 20, court documents show that a temporary restraining order was filed in connection with the case.
However, the situation is far from straightforward. The restraining order was opposed the very same day it was submitted, and it remains unclear from available records which party initiated the filing.
Despite the legal move, key details remain undisclosed, including who exactly requested the order and what prompted it. Representatives for both parties have remained tight-lipped, with Draper’s rep declining to comment and Ngatikaura not immediately responding to requests about the new filing.
Jordan Ngatikaura Breaks Silence On ‘Heavy’ Divorce
Following the filing of the divorce, Ngatikaura addressed the split in a public statement, acknowledging the emotional weight of the decision. “This has not been an easy decision, and it comes with a heavy heart,” he began.
“I’m grateful for the shared memories and the lessons,” he continued. “While our paths are now moving in different directions, my priority remains my children and ensuring they feel loved, supported, and protected through this transition. I am committed to handling this next chapter with kindness and respect.”
He also asked for privacy as the family navigates the transition. Draper and Ngatikaura share two young children, son Jagger and daughter Jovi, while Ngatikaura is also a father to his daughter Peyton.
Jessi Draper’s Divorce Comes After Past Claims Of ‘Emotional Abuse’
The split didn’t come entirely out of nowhere. Just months prior, Draper opened up about struggles within the marriage, previously claiming she experienced “emotional abuse” and revealing the couple had agreed to a 90-day separation while working through issues in therapy.
Ngatikaura had also previously addressed the situation, stating, “I take full accountability for the pain I caused Jessi during our marriage.”
Draper Called Marriage ‘A Work In Progress’ Just Before Divorce Filing
Interestingly, Draper painted a more hopeful picture of their relationship shortly before the divorce filing. In a March interview, she shared that both she and Ngatikaura were continuing therapy, both individually and together, as they tried to navigate their challenges.
“We’ve been doing that for about a year now since the separation happened, and it’s helped a lot,” the reality TV star said. “It’s taught us both a lot about how we are as individuals and how we are in a relationship, and it’s just kind of still a work in progress.”
Cameras Captured Cracks In Jessi Draper’s Marriage Before Divorce Filing
The timing of the divorce has only added to the intrigue, as it comes just after the release of Season 4 of “Mormon Wives,” now streaming on Hulu. In the latest season, viewers watched Jessi Draper and Jordan Ngatikaura actively trying to work through their relationship, but the tension was impossible to ignore.
The couple was seen navigating several heated arguments on camera, giving fans a front-row seat to the strain in their marriage. At the same time, noticeable changes in Jessi’s behavior raised eyebrows among both viewers and her fellow MomTok circle.
Jessi began publicly using her maiden name, a move Jordan reportedly labeled “selfish,” signaling a deeper divide between the two. Concerns also grew when other members of MomTok noticed Jessi was spending nights away from home, staying at a hotel during particularly tense periods.
At one point during the season, Jessi discovers that her prenuptial agreement may not hold up legally after realizing it was never signed by a witness. In an emotional moment, she tells her fellow cast members that ending the marriage could cost her “millions.”
The couple tied the knot on October 8, 2020, after getting engaged earlier that year.