Reality television personality Jessi Draper has publicly clarified her relationship status following her appearance at the American Music Awards with Marciano Brunette, emphasizing that she remains single while navigating her divorce proceedings.
Speaking with E! News at the AMAs on Monday, May 25, the 34-year-old Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star stated, "I'm single, going through a divorce, and dating around, having fun." She added, "I have Marciano here tonight, but I'm just casually dating and living life."
The statement comes as Draper continues to process her separation from husband Jordan Ngatikaura, with whom she shares two children: son Jagger, 6, and daughter Jovi, 3. Ngatikaura also has a daughter, Peyton, 13, from a previous relationship.
During the red carpet interview, Draper candidly discussed the emotional toll of her divorce. "I have good and bad days. He knows there's days that I'm, like, bawling, can't get out of bed," she said, referring to Brunette, 33. "There's days that I can be here and do this, but I just know the first year is going to be the hardest."
Addressing the public nature of their relationship, Draper acknowledged the heightened scrutiny that comes with reality television exposure. "I guess it's a little heightened because of the show," she explained. "But I feel like it's just part of the job. It's a side effect of it, right? So you just have to take everything with a grain of salt, and we knew it would be heightened at the beginning, and now people are getting used to seeing us together. We're just having fun."
Brunette, who stars in Vanderpump Villa, emphasized the importance of communication in their relationship. "I think the main thing for us was that we had an open line of communication. We were honest with each other and we didn't want to hold anything back so we could move past it and get forward," he stated.
The divorce proceedings began in March when Ngatikaura filed to end the five-year marriage. In a statement to Us Weekly at the time, he said, "This has not been an easy decision and it comes with a heavy heart. I'm grateful for the shared memories and the lessons. 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."
However, Draper later revealed on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast in late March that she had initiated the separation, informing Ngatikaura six days before he filed. "I did end it with him, so I knew it was coming, but we had made an agreement to do it together, and he blindsided me and filed because he wanted the headline first," she claimed. She further stated that they had agreed to inform their children together before filing, calling his decision "a betrayal."
The marital difficulties between Draper and Ngatikaura were documented throughout the first four seasons of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. The show captured Draper's admission of an emotional affair with Brunette following her time filming Vanderpump Villa, a revelation that became a central storyline.
In an interview with Vulture earlier in May, Draper reflected on the consequences of the affair becoming public. "Having an affair on-camera definitely shook up my life a little bit," she acknowledged. "But I hope to inspire, and learn from my mistakes, and hopefully let people know that everyone does make mistakes and it's OK."
When asked what she would change about her reality television experience, Draper identified the affair as her primary regret. "I definitely wouldn't want to do that again, especially publicly. Definitely a huge mistake," she stated.
As Draper navigates this transitional period in her personal life, she continues to balance her responsibilities as a mother with her public profile and emerging relationship with Brunette. Her candid approach to discussing the challenges of divorce and dating in the public eye offers insight into the complex intersection of reality television fame and personal relationships.
