Mayci Neely, star of The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives, has spoken candidly about the abuse she suffered at the hands of a former boyfriend, describing her experience as feeling “like I was in prison.”
The 30-year-old reality star, who gained fame through Hulu’s hit series, has now detailed her harrowing experiences in her memoir Told You So.
A Relationship That Turned Dark Quickly
Mayci revealed that she met her ex-boyfriend, whom she refers to in her book as “Dick,” while attending Brigham Young University in California.
Almost immediately, the relationship became abusive.
She shared that he coerced her into sex acts, smoking cannabis, and drinking, and would at times threaten her with dangerous objects.
In one particularly chilling incident, he chased her with scissors and even cut her thigh with a razor blade.
The Night That Changed Everything
In her memoir, Mayci recounts a horrific night when she was sexually assaulted by her ex.
She described being given a drink, waking up to find him performing a sex act on her despite her protests, and feeling trapped in a terrifying situation.
To cope, she told herself she still loved him, a strategy she used to make the trauma feel “a little less awful.”
Fear, Silence, and Isolation
Mayci explained that she felt unable to tell anyone about the abuse.
She feared retaliation from her ex and worried that videos of their sexual encounters could be used against her, potentially jeopardizing her scholarship at BYU, which was sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
“It was like I was in a prison,” she told The Times.
Tragedy Strikes Again
After the abusive relationship ended, Mayci entered a new relationship with Arik, who she soon discovered she was pregnant with.
Tragically, he died in a car accident just days after learning about the pregnancy.
Mayci described the immense guilt she carried, replaying the scenario repeatedly and blaming herself for his death.
It took her two years to accept that the accident was not her fault.
Building a New Life
Following these traumas, Mayci returned to BYU and met her now-husband Jacob when her son Hudson was seven months old.
The couple married in 2018 and have since welcomed two more children, Harlow, now four, and Charli May, three months.
Life on Screen and Renewed Success
Mayci’s story is also shared with viewers through The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives, which is now preparing for a fourth season.
Season three featured her journey with her growing family, and the show’s upcoming season, consisting of 20 episodes, is set to premiere in 2026.
Reaching Out for Support
Mayci’s bravery in sharing her story sheds light on the realities of abuse and loss.
Those affected by sexual assault can seek help through RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline by texting HOPE to 64673.
A Message of Resilience
Despite facing unimaginable hardship, Mayci Neely has built a life filled with love and family.
Her memoir and candid interviews highlight the strength it takes to survive trauma and reclaim one’s voice.
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