[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]
Taylor Frankie Paul is opening up about the very concerning allegations surrounding her relationship with Dakota Mortensen.
As Perezcious readers know, production on the fifth season of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has been paused after Taylor and her ex-boyfriend got into a serious confrontation. It’s since been confirmed by the Draper City Police Department that there’s an ongoing “domestic assault investigation.” The authorities have not confirmed the details of the investigation at this time, but reports have surfaced that are deeply disturbing
Related: Cinnabon Pulls Apart Deal With The Bachelorette & Mormon Wives
Per reports, DCF has been contacted amid reports Taylor has allegedly been physically abusive to their son, Ever, and both parents have been ordered to take psych evaluations. According to TMZ sources, the exes got into an argument over Dakota’s dating history, which allegedly got physical. Taylor was accused of choking Dakota, ripping his necklace off, and grabbing his throat and face. He called the police, but the reality star convinced him to tell the cops that everything was fine.
However, the following night, they got into another argument in which Taylor allegedly scratched Dakota’s face and threw his phone against a wall. His friend saw the injury the next day and called the cops. Really, really icky stuff.
Now, Taylor is speaking out. The new star of The Bachelorette appeared on Wednesday’s edition of Good Morning America to promote her upcoming season of the dating series. Addressing the upsetting headlines, she opened up:
“Honestly, it’s been a heavy time to see the headlines, especially during this time of The Bachelorette being released, and it’s supposed to be a really exciting time. I’m a person that will always speak my truth and that’s what I’m known for and so when the time is right, I will be. But right now just trying to be in the present moment and focus on this.”
She urged her “kids come first,” explaining:
“So it’s been just a back-and-forth process trying to be here in the present moment, worrying about home and headlines. It’s been stressful, to be honest.”
As for the future of SLOMW, she said she doesn’t “call the shots with production” and does not know “for how long and why” the show is shut down.
Referencing her former legal trouble, she expressed:
“It’s hard to see past this — I’m not going to lie — in this moment, it’s just so heavy. When your life is broadcasted out there in these headlines, it’s like the end of the world, that’s what it feels like — I’m not going to lie. I will say I’ve been here before and I got through it, and I’ve shared my story and my light, and I’m hoping I can do that again.”
The interview then shifted into a lighter tone to discuss The Bachelorette. Taylor said she decided to sign on to the show after watching Whitney Leavitt and Jen Affleck take on Dancing with the Stars:
“I looked at that and I was like, you know, ‘They can do it and they have kids and they are going out and chasing their dreams, why can’t I?’ So for me, dating as a mom of three is extremely difficult, so I get 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. That to me seemed like why not, right?”
Too bad that the “toxic cycle” has seemingly only continued…
Watch her full interview (below):
Taylor Frankie Paul responds to recent headlines about an alleged domestic violence incident with her ex-boyfriend, the future of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” and what fans can expect from this season of “The Bachelorette.” pic.twitter.com/1J0BsJyOW1
— Good Morning America (@GMA) March 18, 2026
Certainly not the press tour she thought she’d be having! We hope the authorities get to the bottom of this and that everyone is OK.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Consider calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or text START to 88788, or go to https://www.thehotline.org/.
[Image via Dakota Mortensen/Instagram & GMA]
