Chase McWhorter; Jessi Draper
Credit: Chase McWhorter/Instagram; Jessi Draper/Instagram
NEED TO KNOW
Chase McWhorter admitted to kissing Jessi Draper at a party and apologized to ex Miranda McWhorter on the upcoming episode of Harry Jowsey’s podcast, Boyfriend Material
Chase said that he and Jessi “just kissed” and the reports of their hook-up “spun out of control”
He also said in an exclusive clip shared with PEOPLE that resuming production on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ fifth season is still “up in the air”
In a new episode of Harry Jowsey’s Boyfriend Material podcast, set to be released April 7 and viewed exclusively by PEOPLE, McWhorter says filming has not resumed since production paused in March amid a domestic violence investigation involving The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives cast member Taylor Frankie Paul and her ex, Dakota Mortensen.
He adds he doesn’t know when — or if — cameras will start rolling again.
“I think that’s kind of up in the air at this point,” Chase said. “Hoping they do. All the other women have a bunch of great stories and storylines that haven’t been told. I think that’s a great thing they could look into. So I think they should, but we’ll see.”
Chase also cleared the air around the recent reports of his hookup with Jessi in teaser clips shared ahead of the Boyfriend Material episode’s debut. In a Monday, April 6 clip, he said he and Jessi “just kissed” and the reports “spun out of control.”
“We just kissed at a party, had a few drinks, nothing crazy. People turned it into something it wasn’t,” he said, before adding he’s “in trouble” now.
Jowsey cheekily replied, “That’s where you belong, brother,” with Chase adding, “Back in familiar territory.”
Miranda McWhorter and Chase McWhorter in March 2019.
Credit: Miranda McWhorter/Instagram
Chase reiterated that he was trying to take Jessi out to be with friends, given her ongoing divorce from estranged husband Jordan Ngatikaura. On March 19, Jordan filed for divorce from Jessi. The following day, he filed a restraining order against his estranged wife, PEOPLE previously confirmed.
“We’re just friends,” Chase said. “I learned my lesson on that. It wasn’t cool to Miranda. Obviously, got in trouble there. She deserves a lot better. Everyone agrees with that, I think, unanimously.”
Miranda announced her divorce from Chase in August 2024. The pair share two children — 6-year-old son Brooks and 4-year-old daughter Cohen.
As for where Jessi and Miranda stand, Chase said in an additional teaser clip that the two are “in a tough spot,” and added, “That’s my bad.”
After Jowsey told Chase to “stop kissing everyone,” Chase apologized for his behavior.
Chase added, “I’m really sorry. I’m upset about it.”
Miranda McWhorter and Jessi Draper
Credit: Disney/Katherine Methven
Following the reports of Chase and Jessi’s romantic involvement, Miranda posted a photo of the flowers Jessi, 33, gave her on her Instagram Stories on March 27, seemingly apologizing for the kiss. “I completely understand you being upset with me but wanted to send you a little something to let you know I’m thinking about you and I am so, so sorry. Jessi,” her bouquet note read.
Miranda followed up by posting an Instagram Reel that read, “GRWM while I process my friend group being a waiting room for my ex-husband.” In the caption, she wrote, “it’s not even a betrayal at this point, it’s a tradition 🥰🥰.”
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Later that day, Miranda shared a statement with Entertainment Tonight, sharing how she is “familiar with this territory.”
“I knew there had been communication between Chase and Jessi but not to what extent,” she told the outlet. “Then Chase was upfront and told me that they were talking and that they kissed. Jessi reached out only after she knew Chase had told me something was going on with them.”
“What I never want to get misconstrued is that there is not any emotional attachment to Chase,” she continued. “He is my co-parent. Although I do feel disrespected by Chase, I feel slighted by my friend. Chase and I are no longer partners and while I have a high expectation of him as a co-parent, I also hold my friends to a high standard and believe in girl code.”
Chase has been linked to other members of MomTok in the past. He briefly dated Layla Taylor before she and Miranda became close friends. He also had a brief fling with Taylor Frankie Paul amid the swinging scandal. Miranda’s feelings about that betrayal were shown on the show’s latest season, when Chase and Taylor meet up for a “date” that leaves Miranda feeling triggered.
Following the season 4 premiere, fans speculated that Miranda and Chase rekindled their relationship, and in response, she denied the rumors. “Come on now, you guys,” Miranda said on The Southern Tea podcast. “You really think that little of me?”
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