Roxanne 
Jessi Draper is explaining why she continues to support Taylor Frankie Paul, even when she does not agree with all of her choices.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star appeared on the CHEERS! podcast with host Avery Woods, where she opened up about her friendship with Taylor and admitted that supporting her has created tension within the group.
“The thing with this is I don’t condone everything Taylor does. I see some of the actions and the behavior, and I’m like, ‘That’s not OK,’” Jessi said.
Jessi explained that she is close enough with Taylor to be honest with her when she feels something is wrong.
“She’s posted things at times where I’m like, ‘Delete that,’” Jessi shared. “I’m able to be honest with her, and I do not agree with everything.”
But Jessi said she also has empathy for what Taylor Frankie Paul is going through.
“But at the same time, I understand she’s going through a lot. She’s in a lot of pain,” Jessi said.
Jessi revealed that her own divorce has helped her relate to Taylor in a deeper way, especially because they have gone through similar relationship struggles.
“I’m coming out of a relationship where I went through a lot, and we can kind of relate on certain things,” Jessi explained. “So it was almost like we bonded in a way over our exes doing similar things to us and having those shared experiences.”
According to Jessi, Taylor has also shown up for her behind the scenes.
“She’s really been there for me through my divorce, checked in on me and I’ve wanted to be there for her too,” Jessi said.
Jessi made it clear that, for her, being a friend does not mean blindly agreeing with someone’s every move.
“I just feel like as a friend, you can be there for someone without fully cosigning everything they do.”
That point seems to be at the center of the drama.
Jessi admitted that her connection with Taylor has “caused contention” within the group, especially as Taylor continues to be one of the most polarizing figures on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.
Taylor has faced backlash for her behavior both on and off the show, but Jessi seems to believe there is a difference between holding a friend accountable and abandoning them completely.
Her comments also come as Taylor appeared to tease a possible exit from the show in a new Instagram post after feeling unsupported by several cast members.
