Layla Taylor, known for her role in Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, recently expressed her candid opinion on Jessi Ngatikaura’s controversial affair with Marciano Brunette, whom she described as “yucky.”

In an exclusive conversation with Us Weekly, the 24-year-old reality star remarked, “I honestly can’t fathom how Jessi got involved with Marciano. There are so many other men she could have chosen—better options were definitely available.”

Layla went on to explain that Jessi, 33, was experiencing a difficult period in her life.

“Jessi always mentioned that it wasn’t about who he was. She just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. In truth, it could have been anyone. She was really going through an emotional turmoil,” Layla elaborated. “I’ll leave it to her to share her story when she’s ready. But during that moment, she was simply seeking validation. I just wish she had chosen someone less repulsive, perhaps someone more appealing and who doesn’t rely on medications like Viagra or Cialis.”

Jessi Ngatikaura’s marriage to Jordan Ngatikaura garnered media attention after she revealed on the show, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, that she had been unfaithful with Marciano Brunette. Jessi and Jordan had begun dating and eventually tied the knot prior to the series’ September 2024 premiere on Hulu. Initially, Jessi’s personal life was kept under wraps during the first season, but that quickly changed as the show gained popularity.

Season 2 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which premiered earlier this year, kicked off the infidelity rumors after Demi Engemann was accused of getting too close to Marciano while filming Vanderpump Villa despite being married to Bret Engemann. Demi denied being unfaithful and Marciano ultimately made separate claims about his relationship with Jessi.

“I wouldn’t say I was in love with him. It only lasted about two weeks so it was quick. But I will say I confided in him a lot,” Jessi exclusively told Us ahead of the season 3 premiere, which started streaming on Thursday, November 13. “The dynamic with Jordan [Ngatikaura] that I had had in my marriage, I hadn’t really talked to anyone about it. My family and friends had been aware because they’d seen things but I tried to be like, ‘Everything’s fine.’”

Jessi recalled sharing her marriage struggles with Marciano, including how she says Jordan “treated” her.

“I did feel a connection to him in that sense because he was there for me and he made me feel special,” she said. “Jordan would put me down a lot. Marciano told me how pretty and cool and fun I was. I felt like there was a connection there because he was giving me something I was lacking. But I wouldn’t say I was in love with him.”

After a two-week long emotional affair, Jessi came clean to Jordan about Marciano.

“Jordan found out when he went through my phone and put an end to it. But it was a blessing in disguise because it needed to end,” she told Us. “I did not want to carry this on for months or years. I didn’t know how to get out of it.”

Layla believed Jessi’s version of events, telling Us, “I don’t think anything more happened than a kiss. At this point she’s already facing the repercussions of cheating so why would she lie about another detail? She would just tell the full truth at that point.”

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Once Jessi came clean about her separation from Jordan, Layla recalled seeing the signs.

“I feel like Jordan has always said things very abruptly. But Jessi always dismissed it. We’ve always brushed it off but now that we know the full context of what was happening in their marriage, I’m like, ‘Oh, it wasn’t just comments. This is emotional abuse,’” Layla added. “It’s a really hard situation because seeing one of your friends get treated poorly is heartbreaking. I love Jessi and I think Jessi deserves the absolute world. When she loves people, she loves really hard. That’s also why it’s hard for her in her marriage right now. I just want Jessi to be happy.”

In addition to supporting Jessi, Layla was glad she was able to speak her mind more in season 3.

“I just wanted to be more vocal in season 3. I feel like season 1 and season 2, the audience could definitely see that there’s times that I couldn’t speak up when I was in certain situations. I was definitely a lot more reserved,” she recalled. “My goal going into season 3 was to say what’s on my mind, stand up for myself more and just be more authentic to who I am as a person. I feel like I definitely portrayed that really well this season, which I’m proud of myself for.”

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is currently streaming on Hulu.