Tensions Rise as Jessi Ngatikaura Criticizes Demi Engemann for Skipping Reunion

25 June 2025

Demi Engemann at the “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” Season 2 premiere on May 9. / SplashNews

Tensions are running high in the world of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives as Jessi Ngatikaura, one of the standout voices of the Hulu reality series, calls out co-star Demi Engemann for skipping the highly anticipated season two reunion. With the reunion set to premiere July 1, the absence of one of the show’s most talked-about cast members has left more questions than answers and Jessi is not holding back her disappointment.

In a candid conversation following the taping, Jessi expressed that she had been hoping for a chance to address the season’s biggest drama face to face. Instead, she found herself navigating those tensions without one of the central figures involved. The result, she claims, was a missed opportunity for resolution and honesty. “Everyone needed answers,” Jessi stated plainly, emphasizing how much she and the other cast members had anticipated this moment of reckoning.

Jessi revealed she had canceled a major professional commitment to be at the reunion. As a hair educator with 60 students scheduled to attend her class from all over the country, stepping away was not a light decision. But she believed the reunion and what it represented for her castmates and viewers was worth the sacrifice. That level of dedication, she felt, was not reciprocated by Demi. The latter cited a non-refundable family vacation to Disneyland as the reason for missing the reunion, a justification Jessi struggled to accept given the emotional and narrative weight of the show’s unresolved conflicts.

Jessi wasn’t alone in her frustration. During the taping, Whitney Leavitt, who had stood firmly in Demi’s corner all season, became the de facto target for much of the unresolved tension. Without Demi present to defend herself or offer her perspective, Whitney bore the brunt of the group’s emotions. Jessi acknowledged the dynamic shift this caused during filming, stating that Whitney’s support of Demi came under intense scrutiny as the group demanded explanations that never came.

One of the central storylines in question involves allegations of infidelity and drama surrounding Vanderpump Villa’s Marciano Brunette, who Jessi claims made false accusations that deeply affected her. With Demi out of the picture, the responsibility of confronting these storylines fell squarely on Jessi’s shoulders. She says viewers can expect raw vulnerability and a level of honesty that may not have been present in earlier episodes. “This is the most vulnerable I’ve ever been on television,” Jessi admitted, promising that nothing would be left off the table.

She also teased some major revelations that will come to light during the reunion. Jessi said she came prepared to "expose it all," not out of spite, but out of a need to share her truth. She believes viewers deserve the full story, not just curated snapshots of their lives. And while Demi’s absence will undoubtedly leave a gap, Jessi is confident the reunion will still deliver the emotional weight and catharsis fans are hoping for.

The season’s drama has largely centered around the idea of authenticity, friendship, and betrayal in a tightly knit community where appearances are everything. For Jessi, the show has always been more than just entertainment. It’s a window into the often misunderstood lives of modern Mormon women. With season two elevating those narratives through more personal conflicts and shifting alliances, the reunion was expected to be a space for closure. Instead, it became a battleground for unresolved tensions and simmering frustrations.

Jessi’s reaction to Demi’s absence goes beyond personal annoyance. It speaks to a broader desire for accountability and transparency, not just for the cast but for the audience who has followed the show’s journey. She doesn’t hide her hope that Demi will eventually respond to the questions raised during the reunion. “I really wish she had been there,” Jessi said. “Not for the drama, but for the closure we all needed.”

As The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives reunion gears up for its July 1 premiere, all eyes will be on Jessi and her castmates as they unravel the emotional highs and lows of a season defined by shifting loyalties and unexpected revelations. While one voice may be missing from the room, those who did show up are ready to speak their truth and let the viewers decide who was right and who just walked away.