Taylor Frankie Paul is navigating the aftermath of a domestic violence scandal that has upended her reality television career. Production on season five of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives was halted earlier this year following a domestic assault investigation involving Paul and her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, with both parties levying accusations against each other.
In a dramatic development, Paul's season of The Bachelorette was abruptly pulled from the air the day before its scheduled premiere after a 2023 video resurfaced showing the reality star attacking Mortensen and throwing metal chairs, one of which accidentally struck her own child. Mortensen was subsequently granted temporary custody of their son, while both continue to allege violence from the other.
On Sunday, Paul shared a poignant photo of herself holding hands with her son Ever, captioning it, 'I miss you baby.' She has been candid about her emotional struggles, revealing that she copes with her son's absence by immersing herself in creative projects. 'I think all the projects building & redoing is a fresh start but mainly a coping mechanism to distract from the fact my baby hasn't been here for months now, aside visits,' she told followers.
Mental Health and Public Scrutiny
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Paul opened up about her emotional turmoil while reassuring others facing similar challenges. 'Still processing two shows were put on pause. Balled it up in both shows, made some boys cry and now I'm bawling. What is life? …Take it seriously, learn lessons but don't forget to be silly too,' she posted on Instagram. 'It's okay to smile again after making mistakes. Today is the last day of mental health awareness month and just know if you're out there struggling you're not alone.'
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which debuted on Hulu in September 2024 and features Paul, follows a group of Utah-based influencers navigating their professional and personal lives. Filming for the hit series was paused amid the domestic violence scandal involving Paul and Mortensen, casting doubt on the fate of season five.
The Draper City Police Department confirmed an open 'domestic assault investigation' into the pair, with a spokesperson noting, 'Allegations have been made in both directions,' and that contact was made with involved parties on February 24 and 25.
Legal Developments and Career Impact
Days later, the 2023 video of Paul throwing chairs at Mortensen surfaced, prompting ABC to cancel her entire season of The Bachelorette before it aired. Despite her professional setbacks, Paul recently achieved a legal victory when the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office declined to file charges against her for the alleged domestic violence incident in February. Mortensen had accused her of choking, hitting, and shoving him into a window.
Paul had previously pleaded guilty in 2024 to one count of aggravated assault for a separate 2023 altercation with Mortensen, which was also recorded. She has accused him of being abusive toward her that same year. After learning she would not face charges, Paul shared her elation on Instagram Stories, posting a photo of a vase of flowers with a butterfly drawing, writing, 'Cried when I got the call. THANK YOU to those that have stood with me.'
An executive producer of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Jeff Jenkins, revealed that Paul and Mortensen are now banned from filming together following the temporary shutdown. Jenkins, who also produced Keeping Up With the Kardashians, explained the pair have official 'stay away' orders, meaning 'fortunately or unfortunately, whatever your perspective, we won't be able to shoot with them together, ever again, or at least for a very long time.'
Jenkins expressed hope for Paul's return: 'I've talked to Taylor and she wants to come back and I want her to come back. So I'm really hopeful that that's going to happen. She's amazing.' He noted that the existing cast holds strong and varied opinions about the recent events, which will influence the dynamics of the show moving forward.
A source told People that filming of confessionals has resumed, but production on the remainder of season five will not proceed. 'Apparently they're still going to film season 6,' the source added. In addition to Paul, the cast includes Jen Affleck, Jessi Draper, Miranda Hope, Whitney Leavitt, Mikayla Matthews, Mayci Neeley, and Layla Taylor.
