The “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star is finally speaking her truth. Taylor Frankie Paul has broken her silence amid an ongoing domestic assault investigation involving her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, revealing the emotional toll the allegations have taken just days before her “Bachelorette” debut.
Speaking at a press preview for the upcoming season of “The Bachelorette” in New York City, Paul admitted the timing couldn’t be worse. “Honestly, just like, my heart hurts to see it, to go through it, especially at this time,” she told People . “Just the timing is hard, and it’s a big deal. I feel like every premiere that I’ve experienced, I’ve never enjoyed fully, so this is another one… It’s extremely hard, and it took everything to get me here today”.
The 31-year-old mother of three didn’t mince words about her current state of mind. “It’s just heavy. It’s a heavy time, and it’s unfortunate,” she continued. “I’m struggling for sure”.
But despite the weight of the allegations, Paul made a conscious choice to show up. “I feel like if I don’t show up, then I’m just giving these opportunities away and not enjoying what we’ve worked on and something super exciting that’s coming,” she explained. “I just feel like it was the right thing to do… show up even though it’s hard”.
In a subsequent “Good Morning America” interview, Paul doubled down on her commitment to eventually share her side. “I’m a person that will always speak my truth. That’s what I’m known for. So when the time is right, I will be”.
The Draper City Police Department confirmed to People that an “open domestic assault investigation” involving Paul and Mortensen is underway, with “allegations have been made in both directions” . Police confirmed that “contact was made with involved parties” on February 24 and 25.
Mortensen has reportedly accused Paul of physically attacking him and has made repeated reports to Utah’s Division of Child and Family Services regarding alleged abuse of their 2-year-old son, Ever . Paul has vehemently denied these accusations, including claims that she assaulted Mortensen in his car over a year ago and choked him in a separate recent altercation . She has alternatively claimed that Mortensen got physical with her.
A source close to Paul denied she was “violent” during the incident, insisting the reality star remains “focused” on her upcoming “Bachelorette” premiere . Both parties have been ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluation.
Perhaps the most painful part of the public scrutiny involves her children. “I believe that I am a good mother, and I have always treated my kids very well,” Paul told reporters. “So the headlines that are out right now are very hard to see because that’s not the truth of it. I have always treated my children with respect, and I’ve never touched them. So it’s been really hard”.
Paul shares three children, including son Ever with Mortensen, and has majority custody of their toddler, communicating with Mortensen only through a third party to co-parent. She described cutting off direct contact as necessary, calling their past relationship an “addictive cycle” and insisting distance is “the best case” for both of them.
The investigation has sent shockwaves through Paul’s professional life. Filming for Season 5 of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” has been officially paused . Cast members reportedly refused to continue filming unless Hulu took action, with one source telling NBC News the women were “terrified to film with Taylor right now” and view her as a “major liability”.
Paul confirmed the halt on “GMA,” saying, “As of now I have gotten word that it also has been paused” . When asked about her future on the show, she admitted, “It’s hard to say now, right, just with everything going on. It’s hard to see past this, I’m not going to lie. In this moment, it’s just so heavy” .
Adding to the pressure, Cinnabon has pulled its advertising from both “Mormon Wives” and “The Bachelorette,” citing that the allegations “no longer aligns with our brand values”.
This isn’t Paul’s first encounter with the legal system. In 2023, she was arrested following an alleged domestic incident with Mortensen that played out in the first episode of “Mormon Wives” . She faced charges including assault, criminal mischief, and domestic violence in the presence of a child after allegedly throwing a metal chair that struck her daughter . Paul later pleaded guilty in abeyance to aggravated assault, meaning the charge could be dismissed if conditions are met, and has maintained that the child abuse charges “were all dropped”.
Despite the chaos, Season 22 of “The Bachelorette” remains on track to premiere March 22 on ABC . Paul explained her motivation for joining the show: “For me, dating as a mom of three is extremely difficult,” she said, adding that “The Bachelorette” offered a chance “to go out, get away from my toxic cycle here in Utah, go date and then also have my kids come out and visit me”.
The investigation will not impact the release schedule or press tour for “The Bachelorette,” according to Variety.
For now, Paul is trying to stay present despite the firestorm. “When your life is broadcasted out there in these headlines, it’s like the end of the world. That’s what it feels like,” she told “GMA.” But she also offered a glimmer of hope: “I’ve been here before and I got through it”.
