Taylor Frankie Paul Addresses Dakota Mortensen Dispute

Reality star speaks out after alleged altercation led to production pause on 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives'

Mar. 18, 2026 at 12:18am

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Taylor Frankie Paul, star of the reality show 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,' has spoken out for the first time since an alleged altercation with her co-star and ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen caused a production shutdown on their show. Paul, who is set to be the next Bachelorette, addressed the 'hard' situation and said the headlines about the incident do not reflect the truth of what happened.

Why it matters

The dispute between Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen has caused significant disruption to the production of their reality show, 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,' and has raised concerns among the show's cast about continuing to film with Paul. The situation also complicates Paul's upcoming role as the lead on 'The Bachelorette.'

The details

According to reports, Paul and Mortensen were involved in a domestic violence incident in February 2023 that led to Paul's arrest on charges including aggravated assault and domestic violence. The charges were later reduced through a plea deal. The recent alleged altercation in February 2026 then caused a pause in filming for season 5 of their Hulu show, with Paul's co-stars reportedly 'terrified' to film with her due to the ongoing issues.

  • In February 2023, Paul was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, domestic violence, and other offenses.
  • In February 2026, an alleged altercation between Paul and Mortensen led to a production shutdown on their reality show.

The players

Taylor Frankie Paul

The 31-year-old star of the reality show 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' who is set to be the next Bachelorette.

Dakota Mortensen

Paul's co-star and ex-boyfriend on 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' who was involved in the alleged altercation with Paul.

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What they’re saying

“There's more to the context to everything and it's unfortunate. It's been hard. And it sucks to be in this position. And the mother that I am, that is something I will always stand my ground on. I believe that I am a good mother and I have always treated my kids very well. 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.”

— Taylor Frankie Paul

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Taylor Frankie Paul out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by reality TV stars, with personal disputes and allegations of domestic violence threatening to derail their careers and the production of their shows. It also raises questions about how networks and producers handle such sensitive situations involving their talent.