When a chronic illness diagnosis, a public breakup, and a cross-ocean move hit all at once, it’s hard to know which way is up. For Mikayla Matthews, the 26-year-old star of Hulu’s Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, that moment arrived in 2025.
TikTok followers: 3.8 million · Health condition: Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) · Marital status: Separated · TV show: Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
Quick snapshot
- Mikayla Matthews and Jace Terry are separated as of 2025 (Us Weekly (celebrity news outlet))
- She has been diagnosed with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) (People (celebrity news outlet))
- Jace Terry lost his job after the show aired (E! Online (entertainment news))
- Exact timeline of her facial symptoms and their link to CIRS remains self-reported
- Age gap between Mikayla and Jace is not officially confirmed
- Late 2024: CIRS diagnosis reported (Us Weekly (celebrity news outlet))
- 2025: Separation from Jace Terry announced (Us Weekly (celebrity news outlet))
- Relocation to Hawaii for health recovery (E! Online (entertainment news))
- Continued career as a social media influencer (E! Online (entertainment news))
Seven facts that define Mikayla Matthews’ public profile, from her family to her health.
| Full name | Mikayla Matthews |
| Age | 26 |
| Spouse | Jace Terry (separated) |
| Number of children | 2 |
| Notable condition | Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) |
| Primary platform | TikTok (3.8M followers) |
| TV appearance | Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (Hulu) |
Are Mikayla and Jace still married?
As of 2025, Mikayla Matthews and Jace Terry are separated. Us Weekly (celebrity news outlet) reported the split, noting that Matthews has framed the separation as part of a broader personal and health journey. The couple has not filed for divorce publicly.
Why did Mikayla leave Jace?
- Matthews disclosed that intimacy issues in the marriage stemmed from her experience of childhood sexual abuse. E! Online (entertainment news) covered the couple’s vulnerable conversation about this topic on the show.
- Additionally, the stress of Jace losing his job after Secret Lives of Mormon Wives aired added strain. Us Weekly (celebrity news outlet) mentioned the job loss as a contributing factor.
Where do Mikayla and Jace stand today?
The two remain legally married but live separately. Matthews has moved to Hawaii while Jace reportedly stayed in Utah. People (celebrity news outlet) noted that she continues to share parenting responsibilities for their two children.
What health issues does Mikayla Matthews have?
Matthews has been public about a chronic condition that affects multiple organ systems. In 2024, she received a formal diagnosis of Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), triggered by prolonged exposure to mold toxins, according to E! Online (entertainment news). People (celebrity news outlet) reported that she endured years of undiagnosed skin issues and fatigue before getting answers.
What chronic illness does she have?
CIRS is a multi-system inflammatory condition. Us Weekly (celebrity news outlet) explained that Matthews underwent hair analysis, urine, and stool testing to identify the underlying cause. She has described CIRS as “stealing much of her joy,” per People (celebrity news outlet).
What happened to her face?
Facial rashes and skin flare-ups are among the visible symptoms. In an Instagram video covered by People (celebrity news outlet), Matthews criticized media outlets for dismissing her condition as “just rashes,” insisting it is a systemic illness.
Why is she moving to Hawaii?
In May 2026, E! Online (entertainment news) reported that Matthews was relocating from Utah to Hawaii to escape environmental triggers and focus on healing. She had earlier teased the move in an April 29 Instagram video. The implication: Hawaii’s climate and lack of mold exposure are seen as therapeutic for CIRS.
Matthews is betting her health on Hawaii’s environment. CIRS patients often require relocation away from toxin sources — a drastic but increasingly common step in chronic illness communities.
How many kids does Mikayla Matthews have?
Matthews has two children. People (celebrity news outlet) referenced her role as a mother in coverage of her health updates. The children’s names and ages are not publicly detailed.
How old is Mikayla Matthews?
She is 26 years old, per her Instagram bio and Us Weekly (celebrity news outlet).
What is the age gap with her husband?
The age gap between Mikayla and Jace has not been officially confirmed. Speculation on social media suggests it is small, but no reliable source has published exact years.
What does Mikayla Matthews’ husband do for a living?
Jace Terry worked in a corporate role before appearing on Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. After the show aired, he lost his job — a detail confirmed by Us Weekly (celebrity news outlet). The exact company and position have not been made public.
Did Mikayla Matthews’ husband lose his job?
Yes. E! Online (entertainment news) reported that Jace’s termination was a direct result of the show’s exposure. Matthews herself has alluded to the financial pressure this created.
How many wives can a Mormon man have?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) officially bans polygamy. Wikipedia (online encyclopedia) notes that the practice was discontinued in 1890. Modern Mormon marriages, including Mikayla and Jace’s, are legally monogamous. The show Secret Lives of Mormon Wives explores the dynamics of contemporary LDS relationships, but none of the cast members practice plural marriage.
The question of polygamy often arises from confusion between historical LDS practice and fundamentalist splinter groups. For Matthews, her marriage has always been monogamous — the public curiosity says more about pop culture perceptions than her reality.
Timeline
- 2023–2024: Matthews gains TikTok fame; appears on Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (Hulu).
- Late 2024: CIRS diagnosis reported by Us Weekly (celebrity news outlet).
- 2025: Separation from Jace Terry announced.
- 2025: Jace Terry loses his job.
- 2026: Matthews announces move to Hawaii for health recovery (E! Online (entertainment news)).
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Mikayla Matthews and Jace Terry are separated.
- She has CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome).
- She is moving to Hawaii.
- Jace lost his job after the show aired.
What’s unclear
- Exact number of children (publicly seen with two, not officially confirmed).
- Precise timeline of her facial symptoms.
- Age gap between Mikayla and Jace.
Quotes from the source
“I’m leaving Utah for Hawaii due to my yearslong battle with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome.” — Mikayla Matthews, via E! Online (entertainment news)
“They vulnerably revealed intimacy issues that stem from Mikayla being sexually abused throughout her childhood.” — Couple’s disclosure on Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, reported by E! Online (entertainment news)
The pattern is clear: Matthews’ decisions — both personal and geographic — are being driven by her health crisis. For her audience, the move to Hawaii is not an escape but a last-resort treatment strategy. For her estranged husband, the post-show reality
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Noah Gagnon is Senior Regional Reporter at Canada Scene, covering breaking stories and community news across Canada.