Thanks to the breakout hit The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, fans are getting an in-depth look at what it means to be a free thinker within the church. Right off the bat, the show had two stars: Taylor Frankie Paul and Whitney Leavitt. The two women were at opposite ends of the spectrum, with one being a sinner and one being a saint. But I couldn’t help but notice that Jessi Ngatikaura was the show’s real star. Even though she might have been overshadowed by some of the drama, by the end, I wanted to know more about the hair salon owner.
Who is Jessi Ngatikaura?
Jessi is only one part of the influencer group #MomTok. Jessi hails from Utah and is 32-years-old. She is a hairdresser and owns a hair extension company and hair school called JZ Styles. When fans first met her on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, she joked that she was the “grandma of the group.” Jessi, like half of her co-stars, was previously married but now divorced. She married her current husband, Jordan Ngatikaura. They now have a blended family with three children: Jagger, Peyton, and Jovi.
Jessi was open about her first divorce, noting that her first husband was gaming all day and “smoking weed.” She was trying to grow her business and wanted to better her life. It was easy to gravitate towards her because many viewers could empathize with her. The hairstylist is a true gem, as she listens and responds when having a conversation. Overall, she seems worldly and willing to learn about others’ experiences, not just her own.
Jessi Ngatikaura is the true group leader
So, I’ve been thinking that Jessi is the real leader of the group. She was totally overshadowed by the Whitney and Taylor drama, which, on reflection, was a bit manufactured. What I like the best about Jessi is how she stays true to her own Mormon roots. Even though she isn’t an active member, she still encourages women to be more than the doctrine describes. During the season, Jessi becomes visibly upset when her friend, Jen Affleck, is being treated poorly by her husband. She was triggered by her own experiences and wanted so much more from her friend.
Jessi’s personality showed me that she was more than a wannabe reality TV star. She truly cared about the group as a whole and their mental health. Even Jessi’s Instagram showcases a woman who is about inclusivity. The mother was open about being made to feel unworthy in the church, and it is clear she doesn’t want anyone around her to struggle with those same feelings. I could talk about her forever. She’s the real stand-out. Jessi is a fierce defender of women while maintaining her values.
Jessi Ngatikaura is a true mess, and fans love it
Now, I mean messy in the nicest of ways, no shade intended. Jessi had some pretty memorable moments in the series. Between being uninvited from a baby shower, drinking out of a flask in the hot tub, and the Chippendales upset, Jessi struck me as a normal 30-something-year-old woman just trying to have some fun. What made Jessi a star was that she was unapologetically herself. Should she have drunk the alcohol at the Affleck’s homestead when they were sober? Probably not. Should she have told the ladies about the stripper meet and greet? Yes. But Jessi is still learning to navigate life outside of the Mormon church, and she needs to be given grace.
Recently, Jessi spoke on the Girlscamp podcast, where she bluntly noted “They’re good Mormons, but I’ve never seen people gossip more.” The Hulu star has been out of the church for years and spoke confidently about her past. Jessi shared that she never felt “good enough for a Mormon boy.” I love how honest Jessi was about her insecurities. While some of the other Hulu stars pretended to be the perfect wives, Jessi let all of her growing and mess show, which made her seem more genuine.
The bottom line is that Jessi is what all those girls should be. They should idolize her since she is the aspiration for #Momtok. If Hulu decides on a second season, I hope they put Jessi front and center because she deserves nothing but the spotlight.
TELL US – IS JESSI YOUR FAVORITE? IF NOT WHY?
