Taylor Frankie Paul’s Ongoing Legal Issues Intensify
Taylor Frankie Paul is facing increasing turmoil as she prepares for her debut on The Secret Life of Mormon Wives in its 22nd season. Recently, a leaked video obtained by TMZ depicts a physical altercation between her and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, from 2023.
The footage shows Mortensen seemingly taunting Paul, who responds by pulling out her phone to document what she describes as “physical abuse.” In the video, she kicks him, puts him in a headlock, and even throws a metal bar stool, all while their young daughter is present. This incident appears to have occurred on the night of Paul’s arrest, which led to charges of aggravated assault. She ultimately pleaded guilty and received three years of probation. Other charges, including domestic violence in front of a child and child abuse, were dropped.
In light of the video release, a representative for Paul expressed disappointment, stating, “It’s unfortunate to see yet another attempt to harm Taylor with no consideration for the child’s well-being.” The rep also mentioned that the video’s timing—on her son’s birthday—appears to be a calculated attempt to deflect attention from Mortensen’s actions. “People have witnessed this pattern before—he’s not fooling anyone,” the representative added.
Although the video is new, fans of The Secret Life of Mormon Wives have been aware of the situation since the first season. Earlier episodes included police body camera footage from the night of the arrest, where Paul alleged that Mortensen had thrown her to the ground before he recorded the video. They did reconcile afterward, and in March 2024, Paul welcomed a son named Ever. Since then, Mortensen has shared details about their fraught co-parenting arrangement, which reportedly includes numerous arrests for lying and infidelity.
As Paul gears up for the upcoming season of the Bachelorette, she’s navigating a challenging media landscape. Scheduled to premiere on March 22, the show’s production was temporarily halted due to another altercation between her and Mortensen that is under investigation. One of the cast members, Mikayla Matthews, mentioned on social media that filming was paused because the team felt unsafe given the circumstances.
Despite everything, Paul moved forward with promotional activities for Bachelorette, appearing on Good Morning America and Live with Kelly and Mark shortly before the drama unfolded. “It’s been tough to see these headlines, especially now,” she admitted. “This should be an exciting time. I always speak my truth, and when the moment is right, I will share it.”
Despite completing her promotional obligations, reports indicate that she opted to postpone an appearance on the The Tonight Show, citing fatigue from a day filled with interviews.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.
