The new Hulu docuseries, Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, is buzzing with excitement, but star Mikayla Matthews has expressed her disappointment that her struggles with chronic illness have been overlooked in the discussion.
At just 24, Matthews is among eight women featured in the show, which delves into the lives of Utah influencers from the Mormon #MomTok community. This group faced significant challenges following a “soft-swinging” scandal that shook their world in 2022.
Joining her are fellow momfluencers Taylor Frankie Paul, Demi Engemann, Jennifer Affleck, Jessi Ngatikaura, Layla Wessel, Mayci Neeley, and Whitney Leavitt.
While Matthews appreciates that audiences are getting a glimpse into the complexity of their lives beyond the swinging drama, she’s disappointed her journey with a nearly undiagnosed chronic illness, which flared up during filming, didn’t make the final cut.
Disney/Pamela Littky/Instagram
“After I had my third child, I started experiencing severe allergies and developed molluscum on my neck,” Matthews shared. “Then came rashes all over my body, which worsened after my breast implants.”
She revealed that steroids led to significant weight gain, and withdrawal symptoms included rashes, hives, and metal toxicity from dental work. “Filming marked the beginning of my healing process,” she recalled. “I even had my breast implants removed, but that aspect wasn’t shown.”
Having watched the series since its premiere on September 6, Matthews was shocked to see her health struggles omitted. Recently, she shared on Instagram some candid photos that highlight her medical battles.
"I looked disassociated because I was in constant pain,” she explained. “I had full-body nerve damage and was dealing with the psychological toll of steroid withdrawal.”
Reflecting on her appearance during filming, she noted, “Some days I looked fine, while on others, the illness was evident, with weight fluctuations and hair loss.” She emphasized that the healing process varies greatly among individuals with chronic illnesses.
‘Scared to Step Foot in the Church’
All eight women featured in the show still identify as Mormons, though not all actively attend church, including Matthews.
“I haven’t attended church in a long time. I often tell my friends, ‘I can’t imagine going back after everything,’” she said, discussing the church’s response to the series.
That said, she believes the show has fostered valuable conversations about topics like sexuality and gender roles within the church community. “I think it’s a positive step, even if I would be hesitant to return to church,” Matthews concluded.