Runway Row: Mormon Wives Star Under Fire for Mocking Co-star’s Miami Swim Week Debut
The glitz and glamour of Miami Swim Week, a highlight on the fashion calendar, has been overshadowed by a surprising controversy involving the cast of the reality show The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Jessi Draper, one of the show’s stars, has found herself in the crosshairs of online criticism for seemingly mocking her co-star, Miranda Hope, during her debut runway walk.
The incident unfolded when 33-year-old Miranda Hope graced the La Tropica show on Friday, May 29. Hope showcased her toned physique, drawing positive reactions from many viewers. Comments on social media platforms highlighted her appearance, with one fan noting, “It’s giving body builder 😁.” Another co-star, Mikayla Matthews, chimed in with an enthusiastic, “I’ll take two thanks. 😍,” while a third commenter simply declared, “She is literally perfect. 😍” These initial reactions painted a picture of a successful and well-received runway appearance.
However, the narrative took a sharp turn when Jessi Draper, 34, posted a video on TikTok on Sunday, May 31. In the clip, Draper was seen prancing around in a manner she described as her “horse walk.” This performance, which some viewers interpreted as a jab at Hope’s runway style, ignited a firestorm in the comments section.
Backlash and Defences: A Social Media Stoush
The immediate reaction to Draper’s TikTok video was overwhelmingly negative. Many viewers felt her actions were disrespectful and out of line.
- One user expressed their disapproval, stating, “The fact you’re even making fun of any woman’s walk is wrong and disrespectful.”
- Another commenter pointed out the perceived hypocrisy, writing, “They were making fun of themselves, people, literally no one but themselves.”
The online debate quickly escalated, prompting another co-star, Mikayla Matthews, 26, to weigh in. Matthews, without explicitly naming Draper, posted her own TikTok video on Monday, June 1, to address the situation and defend her co-star.
Matthews’ Plea for Empathy and Respect
Matthews began her video by expressing her growing disillusionment with online behaviour. “Can we just talk about Miami Swim Week?” she questioned. “I feel like I’ve been losing faith in humanity recently for a bunch of different reasons, but nothing irks me more than this whole Miami Swim Week. I will lose my s— if I see one more comment or one more video making fun of the way women are walking, the way they’re looking, their body, whatever.”
She continued, articulating her bewilderment at the negativity directed towards the models. “Like, are we OK? Genuinely. It is 2026. Why are we commenting on other people’s bodies? All that’s going through my head as I’m watching all these videos of these stunning, gorgeous women is …they look confident, they look happy. I open the comments and expecting them to be like ‘Yes! Stunning!’ and I just see all these comments before seeing one positive comment. I see ‘Why are they walking like that? Why are they wearing that? What’s wrong with their body?’ I just don’t get it!”
Matthews highlighted the immense courage and vulnerability required for models to participate in events like Miami Swim Week.
- “I’m thinking, ‘wow, this takes so much vulnerability, so much courage to put yourself out on a stage in a bikini, and walk in front of a crowd of people. That’s also being filmed. That is so vulnerable,'” she explained.
- “And then to go online after and read comments like ‘what’s wrong with their body? Why are they walking like that? Why do they look so weird?’ It irks me to my core.”
The fact that many of the critical comments were coming from other women particularly disturbed Matthews. “Now a lot of these comments are coming from women, which is even more disheartening,” she admitted. “My faith in humanity has plummeted.”
Draper’s Response and the Ongoing Fallout
Amidst the escalating criticism, Jessi Draper attempted to diffuse the situation by asserting that her intentions were not malicious. On Monday, June 1, she wrote, “This clearly shows that’s not what I was doing, but you never know with my friend group.” This statement suggests a possible internal dynamic within the cast that might have contributed to the misunderstanding or the perception of mockery.
The exchange between the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives cast members serves as a stark reminder of the intense scrutiny faced by public figures, especially women, in the age of social media. While Miami Swim Week is intended to celebrate fashion and body positivity, the incident underscores the persistent challenges of online bullying and the importance of fostering a more supportive and empathetic digital environment. The drama surrounding this runway debut has certainly added an unexpected twist to the show’s narrative, leaving fans to ponder the dynamics between the cast members and the impact of public commentary on personal lives.
