Reality Star Taylor Frankie Paul Breaks Silence Amid Domestic Investigation Ahead of 'Bachelorette' Premiere

Reality television personality Taylor Frankie Paul addressed allegations of a domestic violence incident involving her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, just days before her highly anticipated debut as ABC's newest "Bachelorette."

Taylor Frankie Paul, known as the founder of "MomTok" and a key figure in Hulu's "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," spoke out Wednesday on "Good Morning America" regarding reports of an investigation. The public statements came as headlines circulated alleging a domestic violence incident, mere days before her season of "The Bachelorette" is scheduled to premiere on Sunday.

"It's been a heavy time to see the headlines," Paul told "Good Morning America," acknowledging the intense scrutiny. She emphasized her commitment to transparency, stating, "I’m a person that will always speak my truth ... that’s what I’m known for." While not fully detailing the situation, she added, "when the time is right, I will be, but right now, just trying to be in the present moment and focus on this,” referring to the "exciting time” leading up to the reality dating show's premiere.

Investigation and Police Statements

The interview followed multiple reports that surfaced Monday alleging a domestic violence incident. NBC News previously reported that Paul and Mortensen are involved in an "ongoing investigation," citing three anonymous sources close to the matter. These sources declined to provide further specific details on the record.

When contacted by NBC News on Monday, the Draper Police Department in Utah refrained from confirming reports of a domestic dispute, explaining its policy is "not to release details related to active investigations." However, the department later confirmed to People magazine that an "open 'domestic assault investigation'" regarding Paul and Mortensen was underway, specifying that "allegations have been made in both directions." Dakota Mortensen did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent Wednesday morning.

Paul also briefly addressed the situation Tuesday night at a press preview for "The Bachelorette," telling People that her "heart hurts to see it, to go through it, especially at this time."

Navigating Multiple Reality Ventures

In addition to her role on "The Bachelorette," Paul is known for her involvement with "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," where she serves as an executive producer and a central cast member. Anonymous sources, who spoke to NBC News on condition of anonymity, confirmed a pause in filming for "Mormon Wives," with one source indicating the cast collectively decided to step away for the time being.

When questioned about these reports on "Good Morning America," Paul confirmed, "I have gotten word that it also has been paused, but I do not call those shots." She noted her uncertainty regarding the duration of the show's next season hiatus. Season Four of "Mormon Wives" premiered Thursday on Hulu. Disney, the parent company of both Hulu and ABC, did not respond to requests for comment regarding the production pause.

Paul described the current period as "stressful" as she attempts to remain focused on "The Bachelorette" premiere while prioritizing her children. She shares one son, 1-year-old Ever, with Mortensen, and has two other children from a prior marriage. Paul admitted the difficulty of envisioning her future on "Mormon Wives" amidst the present circumstances. "It's hard to see past this, I'm not gonna lie, in this moment," she said. "When your life is broadcast out there in these headlines, it's like the end of the world. That's what it feels like." Despite the challenges, Paul expressed resilience, adding, "I've been here before, and I got through it, and, you know, shared my story, my light. So I'm hoping that I can do that again."

Inspiration for 'The Bachelorette'

Paul shared her motivation for accepting the "Bachelorette" role, citing inspiration from "Mormon Wives" co-stars Whitney Leavitt and Jen Affleck, who appeared on "Dancing With The Stars" while also filming "Mormon Wives" and managing their family responsibilities. "I looked at that, and I was like, well, if they can do it, and they have kids, and they are going out chasing their dreams, like, why can't I?" Paul explained. She further elaborated that "dating as a mom of three is extremely difficult," and the unique opportunity to date multiple men simultaneously was a significant draw.

Top Stories

Recent Articles

More Articles