Taylor Frankie Paul's 'Mormon Wives' Costars Discuss Her Mindset Before Alleged Dispute

Mayci Neeley and Mikayla Matthews weigh in on Taylor's relationship with ex Dakota Mortensen before production was reportedly halted.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 12:34pm

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Days before news broke that production on the reality show 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' was allegedly halted due to a domestic dispute between Taylor Frankie Paul and her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, Taylor's costars Mayci Neeley and Mikayla Matthews spoke to Us Weekly about Taylor's 'mindset' while filming 'The Bachelorette'. They felt Taylor was in a 'better mindset' and that the forced distance from Dakota during 'The Bachelorette' filming might have helped ease the tension in their volatile relationship.

Why it matters

Taylor and Dakota's tumultuous relationship has been a central storyline on 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives', and the alleged domestic dispute has now reportedly halted production on the show's fifth season. This provides insight into Taylor's state of mind and relationship dynamics leading up to the reported incident.

The details

According to Mayci and Mikayla, while filming 'The Bachelorette', Taylor seemed to be in a 'better mindset' and the distance from Dakota might have helped her 'figure out what she wants and what she needs'. However, Mikayla felt Taylor 'wasn't ready' to leave Utah and Dakota behind to film 'The Bachelorette'. In the latest season of 'Mormon Wives', Jessi Ngatikaura claimed that Taylor and Dakota slept together the night before Taylor was supposed to leave for 'The Bachelorette', causing her to miss her flight.

  • On March 2, Mayci and Mikayla spoke to Us Weekly about Taylor's 'mindset' while filming 'The Bachelorette'.
  • On March 12, the latest season of 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' premiered on Hulu, featuring the claim that Taylor and Dakota slept together before she was supposed to leave for 'The Bachelorette'.
  • On March 16, news broke that filming for season 5 of 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' was reportedly paused after an alleged domestic dispute between Taylor and Dakota.

The players

Taylor Frankie Paul

The star of the reality show 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' who was set to appear on 'The Bachelorette' before an alleged domestic dispute with her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.

Dakota Mortensen

Taylor Frankie Paul's ex-boyfriend, with whom she has had a tumultuous on-and-off relationship that has been a central storyline on 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives'.

Mayci Neeley

A costar of Taylor Frankie Paul on 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' who spoke to Us Weekly about Taylor's 'mindset' while filming 'The Bachelorette'.

Mikayla Matthews

Another costar of Taylor Frankie Paul on 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' who spoke to Us Weekly about Taylor's relationship with Dakota and her preparation for 'The Bachelorette'.

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What they’re saying

“While filming, we were able to see her, and you could tell while filming [The Bachelorette] that she was in a better mindset.”

— Mayci Neeley, Costar on 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives'

“That was an opportunity for her to be forced to be away from the toxic cycle that she was in with Dakota, at least for a period of time, to hopefully figure out what she wants and what she needs.”

— Mikayla Matthews, Costar on 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives'

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Dakota Mortensen out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex and volatile nature of Taylor Frankie Paul's relationship with Dakota Mortensen, which has been a central focus of the reality show 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives'. The alleged domestic dispute has now reportedly halted production on the show's fifth season, raising questions about the couple's future and the impact on the show's cast and crew.