Jessi Draper may be stepping into a brand-new chapter, and this time, it could include romance. Following a highly publicized split from her soon-to-be ex-husband, Jordan Ngatikaura, “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star is putting herself back out there in a big way as a featured guest on “He Said G Said: Star Crossed,” the matchmaking series hosted by former reality stars Giannina Gibelli and Blake Horstmann. And according to the hosts, Jessi’s dating journey may have led to something surprisingly real.
The episode, which was released today, June 4, follows Jessi Draper as she navigates life after heartbreak and opens herself up to the possibility of finding love again, something Giannina Gibelli and Blake Horstmann said she was more than ready for.
Unlike many reality TV dating setups, Jessi wasn’t recruited for the experience; she sought it out herself. “She reached out to us,” Gibelli revealed during an interview with The Blast, explaining that Draper had been interacting with content surrounding “Star-Crossed” before finally making her interest known.
“She was like, ‘You know what? I need a good man. This sounds so fun,’” Gibelli shared, admitting she initially wasn’t sure how serious Draper was. But after continued conversations, it became clear the “Mormon Wives” personality was fully invested in giving love another shot. “She was all game,” Horstmann added. “She was like, ‘Let’s do it. Find me a man.’”
For the pair, helping Jessi find a meaningful connection felt like an easy “yes,” especially after watching parts of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” and getting a glimpse into her life online. “We were just like, yeah, she deserves better,” Gibelli said.
Why Weston Richey Felt Like The Right Match
When it came time to find Jessi a potential partner, the duo said one name quickly rose to the top: Weston Richey, known to reality TV fans from “Perfect Match.”
According to the hosts, Jessi made it clear she wasn’t just casually dating; she wanted a “man.” “We just felt like he was a man,” Horstmann said of Weston, describing him as grounded, positive, and mature.
The hosts also felt the pairing made sense because both Jessi and Weston are independent and successful in their own right. “She’s a business owner. She’s very independent,” Horstmann explained, noting that Weston shared similar qualities. “I felt like they wouldn’t be intimidated by each other’s successes or pasts.”
Gibelli agreed, adding that Weston’s calm demeanor could offer balance to Jessi during a particularly chaotic season of life. “He is very much that grounding type of personality,” she said.
Sparks Flew Faster Than Expected
While reality dating shows are often filled with awkward silences and uncomfortable small talk, Gibelli and Horstmann said Jessi’s experience unfolded very differently. In fact, things appeared to click so naturally that the hosts felt like they barely needed to do their jobs. “After a while, I literally just threw my cards away because I was like, we don’t even need to be here anymore,” Gibelli admitted.
According to the hosts, Jessi and Weston quickly began bouncing off each other in conversation, effortlessly carrying the date without much guidance. “We were just watching a date,” Horstmann added.
For a show built around blind matchmaking, the easy chemistry was an encouraging sign, and potentially a promising one for Jessi’s future.
Draper’s Divorce Took A Painful Public Turn
Jessi’s dating journey comes after a deeply turbulent chapter in her personal life. Jordan Ngatikaura filed for divorce from Draper in March 2026 after five years of marriage. At the time, Draper publicly claimed the filing “blindsided” her, saying the two had allegedly agreed to wait before sharing the news with their children.
The split quickly became messy and public.
Inside Jessi Draper’s Highly Public Divorce Drama
Draper later appeared on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, where she alleged Ngatikaura emotionally abused her, hacked her social media accounts, and blackmailed her. She also shared screenshots that she claimed showed her estranged husband using escort services and attending sex parties during their marriage. Ngatikaura has not publicly responded to those specific allegations.
The divorce followed an already rocky stretch for the couple, who previously separated after Draper admitted to an emotional affair with “Vanderpump Villa” star Marciano Brunette before briefly attempting reconciliation through therapy. “I definitely would change having an affair,” she previously shared. “I definitely wouldn’t want to do that again, especially publicly. Definitely a huge mistake.”
Since then, Draper has been candid with fans about healing, focusing on herself, and re-entering the dating world. And if “Star-Crossed” is any indication, her love life may finally be taking a hopeful turn.
Check out the full episode, now streaming on YouTube.
