A Utah judge is scheduled to hear arguments on Tuesday regarding a protective order sought by a former partner against Taylor Frankie Paul, the star of Hulu's "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" and a recently filmed season of "The Bachelorette" that was canceled due to abuse allegations in their relationship.
Details of the Protective Order Hearing
Dakota Mortensen, who currently has temporary custody of his and Paul's two-year-old son, is requesting the court to convert a short-term protective order against her into a long-term one. This move comes as authorities continue to investigate domestic violence reports from earlier this year. Both Paul and Mortensen are expected to participate in the hearing remotely, while their legal representatives will appear in person at the Salt Lake City courthouse.
Background of the Case and Allegations
Specific details of the temporary protective order remain sealed from public view. Attorneys are anticipated to address reports under investigation from February, rather than focusing on a 2023 altercation that resulted in Paul's arrest. However, the older issues may still be discussed during the proceedings.
In an unprecedented decision last month, ABC announced the shelving of an entire, already-filmed new season of "The Bachelorette" featuring Paul in the lead role. The network and its parent company, Disney, attributed the cancellation to a leaked video from 2023, which was posted by TMZ on March 19. The footage appears to show Paul punching, kicking, and throwing chairs at Mortensen while her young daughter watches and cries.
Previous Legal Issues and Public Statements
Police body camera footage of Paul's arrest in that 2023 case was prominently featured in the series premiere of "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," which first aired in 2024. In the footage, Paul describes the incident as "the worst night of my life." The video of the fight itself, seemingly from Mortensen's perspective, was not made public until last month's leak.
Paul faced charges including aggravated assault and domestic violence in the presence of a child. She ultimately pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge, with the other counts being dismissed.
Personal and Professional Repercussions
Paul has two children with her ex-husband, Tate Paul, in addition to the son she shares with Mortensen following their 2023 dispute. After the cancellation of "The Bachelorette," a representative for Paul stated that she had been "silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation" and was "finally gaining the strength to face her accuser."
In response, Mortensen issued a statement denying these claims, saying he was "used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny."
Impact on Television Productions
Production on the fifth season of "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," the Hulu series that catapulted Paul to reality star fame, has also been paused. Her casting on "The Bachelorette" was intended to create synergy between the shows for Disney, which owns both Hulu and ABC.
Paul's Background and Recent Announcement
Paul gained recognition as an influencer within the #MomTok community, a group of women from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who share their lives on TikTok. Her admissions of polyamory within this group contributed to the success of the hit reality show.
On Sunday, Paul announced via Instagram that she is leaving the widely known Mormon church. She expressed that she will always have love and respect for the Utah-based religious institution but stated, "It's time to detach myself."
