Allegations of domestic abuse have caused one hit reality show to stop filming and seem to have squashed an entire season of another. Taylor Frankie Paul is at the centre of both.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star, who first rose to fame as a founding member of the “MomTok” squad, was allegedly involved in a February 2026 incident (or incidents) with her ex-boyfriend and co-parent, Dakota Mortensen, that led to a pause in filming.
Paul shares two children, Indy and Ocean, with her ex-husband, Tate Paul, and began dating Dakota Mortensen after her divorce in 2022. In February 2023, Mortensen and Paul got into a fight, and Paul was arrested; she later reached a plea deal, per Us Weekly. (More on that arrest below.) They stayed together and welcomed a son, Ever True, the following year, but were broken up by Christmas 2024. They appeared to be on and off throughout 2025—apparently including the night before Paul left to film The Bachelorette.
However, that season of The Bachelorette is no longer airing, as a disturbing video from that 2023 altercation went public ahead of the show’s scheduled premiere on March 22. “In light of the newly released video that surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,” ABC confirmed to Glamour in the late afternoon on March 19.
Here’s everything we know about the latest domestic violence allegations, with the most recent updates up top.
Taylor Frankie Paul is responding to comments amid the fallout
On March 20, TikTok creator Holden Smith made a video documenting Paul's responses to multiple posts about the fallout, at one point defending herself for being on her phone by writing, “always on.. it's my job..and yes I still have work.”
According to Smith's screenshots, she also reposted supportive TikTok videos. “Why are you commenting back to people and reposting TikToks?” Smith asks in his TikTok post, suggesting she should take time off.
Paul then responded to Smith's video, writing, “Want me to stare at a wall instead?”
Dakota Mortensen has reportedly been granted temporary custody of their son, Ever
According to People, a day after reportedly filing a protective order against Paul on 19 March, the courts have granted Mortensen temporary custody of their two-year-old son
Taylor Frankie Paul responds to ABC pulling her season of The Bachelorette
On March 20 a spokesperson for Paul thanks ABC for their support after the network pulls her season of The Bachelorette.
“Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritises her family’s safety and security. After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm,” the rep said in a statement to People. “There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives. Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation, and public shaming. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story.”
Paul's Secret Lives of Mormon Wives costars speak out
“I'm a little at a loss for words trying to process this all," Miranda McWhorter wrote on her Instagram Story on March 20. Everything has been really heavy to see. Domestic violence and abuse of any kind is something I take very seriously. As a human, and especially a mother, I cannot support that kind of behavior. My heart is with the children in this and I hope they’re safe, supported, and surrounded by love.”
Layla Taylor also shared her thoughts on Instagram Stories, writing “My personal history as a survivor makes it impossible for me to stay silent. “I stand firmly against domestic violence in any form. I am keeping her children in my thoughts, hoping for their safety above all else."
Bachelor Nation sounds off
Various Bachelor and Bachelorette alums are sharing their thoughts on the cancelled season. Former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay spoke out on her “Bachelor Party” podcast in an episode titled, “The End of The Bachelorette.”
“This is bad for Disney. This is bad for Hulu,” she said, per NBC News. “This is bad for Hulu because somebody is going to have to take the blame for not vetting this out.” She also asked, “How did this pass the threshold?”
Meanwhile, Arie Luyendyk commented via Instagram Stories: “I feel for the entire production and the contestants that put their lives on hold. So much goes into this, you have no idea.” He said, “I’m in no way supporting her and I feel it’s the right decision. In hindsight, she wasn’t the right choice for the role. What a mess.”
On the other hand, Kelley Flanagan says she “feels terrible for everyone involved” but is confused about the cancellation as the 2023 altercation is not new information. She also admitted she’s “a little bit bummed” about missing out on an “entertaining season,” telling her Instagram followers, “I wanted to watch this train wreck. I wanted to watch this mess.”
MomTok 4eva.
Former contestant Jillian Anderson had similar questions about ABC’s decision to choose Paul in the first place.
Some of Paul’s would-be contestants also shared their thoughts on social media. Claynton Johnson posted an Instagram Story, writing, “I can honestly say this was one of the best groups of men I’ve ever been around. So much integrity, respect, and heart across the board. Even the tough moments never took away from that. Any woman would be lucky to be with any of these guys. Real integrity. Real respect. Real men. Love you boys.”
In an Instagram story video, rumoured winner Doug Mason sent out “prayers” to Paul, noting, “It was her moment and her moment was blocked.” He also asked fans to “stay positive and show nothing but support for people in need.” (According to Reality Steve, the pair got engaged on the show but Paul ended things after filming.)
Malik Evans wrote, “I’m doing okay. Hope to share more soon. Thank you to everyone who has reached out.”
Others also shared small statements thanking fans for support, including Johnnie LaRossa, who also sent love to the “21 other men I met during the show,” writing, “I’ve gotta say, the group of guys were truly unbelievable. Nothing but respect for them. Love you boys, and any woman would be lucky to have each and every one of them!”
ABC cancels Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of The Bachelorette on March 19
On March 19, TMZ published a video of the physical altercation between Paul and Mortensen in 2023. In the video, Paul can be seen putting Mortensen in a headlock and throwing metal stools in his direction while her daughter Indy was in the room. Her daughter appeared to be struck, with Mortensen saying, “Your daughter just got hit in the head by a metal chair.”
According to TMZ, Paul was initially charged with three felonies, including one count of aggravated assault and two of domestic violence in the presence of a child, as well as misdemeanour charges of child abuse and criminal mischief. Most of those charges were dropped, however, when Paul pleaded guilty in abeyance to aggravated assault. Because she pleaded guilty in abeyance, that charge would eventually be dismissed as long as she complies with the conditions of her three-year probation.
“It’s sad to see the latest installment of [Mortensen’s] never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor without any regard for the consequences for their child,” a spokesperson for Paul said in a statement to People following the video’s release.
“Releasing an old video, which conveniently omits context, on their son’s birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior. Thankfully, the public has seen this act before and knows who he is, and sadly, many will recognize this pattern of manipulation, both in his actions on the show and from their own experiences.”
Following the video’s release, unnamed “sources” tell TMZ that Mortensen has repeatedly called Utah’s Child and Family Services to report Paul for allegedly abusing their son. Paul has denied the allegations, per the publication.
Amid the backlash, Paul reportedly cancels a scheduled appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, with sources telling TMZ that Paul was exhausted after multiple interviews and planned to reschedule.
But by late afternoon, ABC had already announced it was shelving the season.
Mortensen has denied any wrongdoing, telling Page Six: “As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation. 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.”
Paul first addressed headlines about recent domestic abuse allegations while promoting The Bachelorette
The morning after the news of the new investigation broke, on March 18, Paul appeared on Good Morning America to promote the next season of The Bachelorette.
“It’s hard to see past this,” Paul told GMA’s Lara Spencer. “In this moment, it’s just so heavy.”
She admitted that the timing of the news coinciding with the show’s release has made things particularly difficult when they should be “exciting.”
“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 [I’m] just trying to be in the present moment and focus on this,” she said.
Paul did not directly confirm that filming of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season five was paused due to the allegations and the ongoing investigation, claiming that she isn’t involved in those decisions. When Spencer noted that Paul has an executive producer title on the series, Paul said she doesn’t understand the title.
“I got told [that I was an EP] this year,” Paul said. “I was like, What does that mean?”
She continued, “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.”
At first, Paul continued to promote The Bachelorette amid the investigation
On March 16, a day before the news broke that there had been domestic violence allegations, Paul posted a TikTok teasing a new relationship, potentially with someone she met via The Bachelorette. This would be several weeks after the police began their investigation.
Cinnabon terminates its partnership with Paul and The Bachelorette
On Tuesday, March 17, Cinnabon announced they are no longer planning to collaborate with Paul and The Bachelorette on a Swirled Soda “inspired by the viral beverage trend popularised by The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.”
“Cinnabon has made the decision to terminate its collaboration with The Bachelorette and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” a rep for the brand told People. “Recent developments and allegations surrounding the lead cast member led us to reassess this collaboration as it no longer aligns with our brand values.”
Amid new domestic abuse allegations and ongoing investigation, TSLOMW has been paused
As word that filming had paused trickled out—before the allegations were known—rumors spread that Paul being the Bachelorette had caused friction among the Mormon Wives stars, which was what led to the hiatus. However, star Jessi Ngatikaura set the record straight in an Instagram comment, writing bluntly, “It was never a jealousy thing lol.”
A source confirmed to People that the show is “not filming,” because “Taylor [Frankie Paul] has some pretty serious stuff happening regarding her past, and they will see what happens. Until that resolves, they are off.”
Meanwhile, co-star Mikayla Matthews said “all of us girls” mutually agreed to pause production during an Instagram AMA, writing, “We didn’t feel comfortable filming with everything that was happening.”
The police were contacted in late February over a new domestic violence incident.
A spokesperson for Paul’s local police department in Draper, Utah, told People that “contact was made with involved parties on [February] 24 and 25,” suggesting that this is when police began investigating a potential problem. It was not clear, from what has been released, when the alleged incident or incidents may have occurred.
There is now an open “domestic assault investigation,” and “allegations have been made in both directions,” per the spokesperson. No charges have been filed or arrests made.
Glamour UK has reached out to Taylor Paul and Dakota Mortensen for comment. This post will be updated.
For more information about emotional abuse and domestic abuse, you can call The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247.
Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247, available 24 hours a day 7 days a week for free, confidential specialist support. Or visit www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk to fill in a webform and request a safe time to be contacted or to access live chat (live chat available 3pm-10pm, Monday to Friday). For support with tech abuse visit refugetechsafety.org.
You're not alone, and support is available.
