Mormon Wives Star Whitney Leavitt Breaks Silence on Domestic Violence Scandal
Whitney Leavitt, a prominent cast member of the hit Hulu series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, has publicly addressed the ongoing domestic violence scandal involving co-star Taylor Frankie Paul for the first time. Her comments come amid significant turmoil in the entertainment industry, with multiple productions halted and police investigations underway.
Production Halts and Show Cancellations
Last week, ABC abruptly canceled Taylor Frankie Paul's season of The Bachelorette just days before its scheduled premiere. This decision followed the release of disturbing footage from 2023 showing Paul attacking her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen in front of her eight-year-old daughter. Simultaneously, Hulu has paused production on the fifth season of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, a top-rated streaming show featuring both Paul and Leavitt.
The reality series, which debuted in 2024, follows a group of Mormon mommy influencers known as 'MomTok' as they navigate scandals involving swinging that threaten their faith and relationships. Alongside Paul and Leavitt, the cast includes Jen Affleck, Jessi Draper, Demi Engemann, Mikayla Matthews, Mayci Neeley, Layla Taylor, and Miranda McWhorter, who joined in season two.
Leavitt's Emotional Statement
In an interview with Interview Magazine on Wednesday, the 32-year-old Leavitt spoke cautiously about the situation without directly naming Paul. "I have a lot of emotions about it and I'm still processing everything that's happening, but the safety of human beings, especially children, comes first," she stated. "Always, period, the end. And I don't want that to be tolerated. I don't want that to be overlooked. It's just so fresh. That's all I have to say about that."
Her remarks highlight the gravity of the scandal, which has cast uncertainty over the future of the Hulu series. Production has reportedly been on hold for weeks, with TMZ reporting that the show's production company, JJP, has hired a third-party investigator to look into unspecified accusations among the cast. A source indicated that no further action will be taken on the show until findings are reviewed by ABC.
Ongoing Police Investigations
The controversy extends beyond television, with multiple police investigations active. The West Jordan Police Department in Utah is currently investigating a 2024 incident reported by Mortensen at the end of February 2026. Detectives are reviewing video evidence believed to be from early to mid-2024 and are interviewing involved parties. No charges have been filed yet, and the department emphasizes handling the case consistently with standard procedures.
Additionally, another open investigation involves allegations of domestic assault between Paul and Mortensen from February of this year, with claims made in both directions. Mortensen was recently granted a restraining order against Paul, describing her as an immediate threat to his safety.
Statements from Involved Parties
After The Bachelorette cancellation, Paul released a statement through her representative alleging she suffered "extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation" silently for years. Her rep claimed she is now seeking support and preparing to share her story, having stayed quiet out of fear.
In response, Mortensen denied these "baseless claims" in a statement to The Daily Mail, stating, "I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny. I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same." The couple shares a toddler son, Ever, and Paul has two other children from a previous marriage.
The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Hulu, ABC, Paul, and Mortensen for further comment, but responses are pending as the situation continues to develop.
