Taylor Frankie Paul has quietly stepped back from social media amid ongoing domestic violence controversies that ultimately saw her planned season of The Bachelorette pulled before it even aired. Fans noticed on Wednesday that Paul had wiped both her TikTok and Instagram accounts clean, leaving her once-active pages stripped bare.
PTSD Diagnosis and Legal Troubles
Just days earlier, the 31-year-old reality star revealed she had been living with post-traumatic stress disorder since 2024, saying her condition may now be evolving under mounting pressures, including her absence from filming The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. 'I was diagnosed with PTSD about two years ago, which I assume is now complex post-traumatic stress disorder,' she said in her Instagram Stories. She also appeared to allude to earlier legal troubles, including her 2023 domestic violence arrest, for which she later pleaded guilty to aggravated assault.
Footage of Altercation Released
Footage released last month showed her in a physical altercation with her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen while her young daughter was present. The scandal ultimately led ABC to abruptly pull Paul's The Bachelorette season just days before its planned premiere. 'This public atrocity that I not only lived through once but twice now, on even a bigger scale was ultimately the cost to my freedom,' Paul said on Sunday. 'I wouldn't wish this upon my worst enemy or even the ones who publicized it.'
Mortensen Steps Back
Mortensen was also active on social media over the weekend, saying he was stepping away from the limelight to focus on caring for their son Ever. 'Over the past several weeks, I've taken a step back and had time away from the chaos. That space has been a breath of fresh air and has given me clarity. My focus now is where it should've been all along – on my son and creating a stable, healthy environment for him moving forward,' he said. Mortensen acknowledged his mistakes, saying he regretted 'not stepping away from a difficult cycle sooner. I'm not perfect, and I take accountability for my part. I'm sincerely sorry to those I've hurt. At the same time, I don't agree with how the situation has been portrayed publicly. It does not reflect the full context of what occurred to the impact it has had on me and my son.' He added that he had 'chosen to step away from the spotlight to focus on my family, my growth, and our healing, and that's where my energy will remain.'
Legal Win for Paul
The social media wipe also comes shortly after Paul secured a significant legal win when it was confirmed she would not face domestic violence charges. 'After reviewing reports and evidence submitted to the Draper Police Department and West Jordan Police Department, the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office has declined to file charges against Taylor Frankie Paul,' said Salt Lake County District Attorney Slim Gill in a statement obtained by the Daily Mail. Her legal situation had been under scrutiny following an alleged domestic violence incident in February involving Mortensen. Mortensen claimed Paul had choked him, before allegedly hitting him and pushing him into a window.
Coping with Fallout
Last week, the reality star gave a glimpse into how she has been coping with the fallout, sharing a tearful selfie online. The situation has played out publicly, with both Paul and Mortensen accusing each other of violence and obtaining temporary protective orders against one another. After Mortensen was initially granted a temporary protective order against Paul, she later secured her own order against him on April 8, barring him from contacting her or coming within 100 yards ahead of a hearing set for April 30, when a judge will decide whether the orders are made permanent.
Impact on TV Shows and Brand Partnerships
In the wake of the investigation, filming for Season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has been paused. The ongoing investigation has also impacted The Bachelorette's brand partnerships. On March 17, Cinnabon announced it was ending its collaboration with both Paul and the ABC show, despite having previously promoted new products tied to the series. 'Cinnabon has made the decision to terminate its collaboration with The Bachelorette and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,' the company said in a statement. 'Recent developments and allegations surrounding the lead cast member led us to reassess this collaboration as it no longer aligns with our brand values.'
