Taylor Frankie Paul, star of 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' and the pulled season of 'The Bachelorette', has announced she is leaving the Mormon Church. The reality TV personality shared the news on Easter Sunday via Instagram, detailing her struggles amid a domestic scandal involving her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.
In her post, Paul wrote: 'The last 40 days felt like hell on earth. Through every panic attack I prayed for strength as I could feel my body breaking down and out from the distress of it all.' The 40-day period aligns with Lent and the late February incident that led to production on 'Mormon Wives' Season 5 being paused and 'The Bachelorette' being pulled. Police investigated domestic violence allegations made by both parties, though specific details remain undisclosed.
In an Instagram story, Paul clarified her religious stance: 'Born and raised Mormon (lds) and I’ll always have love and respect towards it. I’ll even continue to go with my family at times, with that being said, it’s time to detach myself from it.' She affirmed her belief in Christ and God, adding that she is 'writing this out as a release.'
The scandal escalated after TMZ published footage from a 2023 domestic incident showing Paul throwing metal chairs at Mortensen while her child was nearby. Paul had pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and was on probation. Disney subsequently pulled Paul's season of 'The Bachelorette', citing support for the family. Mortensen was granted a temporary restraining order and temporary custody of their son, with a hearing set for Tuesday.
