Mikayla Matthews Faces Backlash for Risky Viral Challenge with Baby

Mikayla Matthews, a star of the Hulu reality series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, is under fire after participating in a viral challenge that fans claim endangered her newborn baby. The 25-year-old mother shared a video on Instagram where she attempted to mimic a dance from Nicki Minaj‘s music video “High School,” while holding her two-week-old baby in one arm.

The challenge involves squatting in high heels, a move that raised eyebrows among viewers. Mikayla captioned her post: “2 weeks postpartum yesterday and we are a whole new level of TIRED lol.” The response from her followers was swift and critical. One commenter expressed concern, stating, “Ngl.. doing that with a brand new baby like that really gave me anxiety.” Another fan questioned the necessity of including her baby in the challenge, saying, “Just do it without the baby? Is the baby a prop? Idgi.”

This incident comes shortly after Mikayla and her husband, Jace Terry, welcomed their fourth child, a daughter born on July 17, 2025. The couple announced the arrival of their “perfect” baby girl on social media, sharing moments from the birth that showcased Mikayla’s radiant appearance despite the recent delivery. Comments flooded in, with fans marveling at her looks, with one writing, “How do you look this radiant after giving birth?!”

Reality Show Background and Context

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives debuted on September 6, 2023, and quickly captured attention for its portrayal of Mormon mom influencers embroiled in a swinging sex scandal. The series follows a group of women whose lives were turned upside down after Taylor Frankie Paul, a prominent figure in the MomTok community, revealed her divorce stemming from controversial activities among the group.

The scandal first came to light in 2022, when Taylor disclosed during a TikTok livestream that her ex-husband was involved in “soft swinging,” a practice where couples engage in sexual activities with others while maintaining limits. This revelation led to widespread media coverage and discussions about the complexities of relationships within the community.

The show features other notable cast members, including Jen Affleck, Layla Taylor, and Demi Engemann. Their stories reflect the challenges and dynamics of modern motherhood, intertwined with the influence of social media.

As Mikayla continues to navigate her public life, the backlash over her recent Instagram post highlights the scrutiny that reality stars face in balancing personal choices and public perception. The incident serves as a reminder of the responsibilities associated with parenting and the impact of social media on family dynamics.