Updated March 19, 2026, 9:57 p.m. ET
There has been a lot of drama surrounding Taylor Frankie Paul since the reality-TV star first made a name for herself on MomTok.
The 31-year-old “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star, who was set to lead Season 22 of “The Bachelorette,” has been at the center of multiple scandals since she first went viral on TikTok in 2023, after disclosing that she stepped out of bounds of her and then-husband Tate Paul’s “soft swinging” friend group.
The controversy spawned Hulu’s “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” in September 2024, which also followed the volatile relationship between Paul and her on-and-off boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, contributing to more turmoil in the reality star’s story.
Paul and Mortensen, who were embroiled in the fallout of a domestic violence incident during the series’ premiere, have recently found themselves in the headlines again after it was revealed that the former couple is the subject of a separate “domestic assault investigation” by Utah police, according to People magazine.
The investigation has led to a pause on production of Season 5 of “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” Paul revealed during an interview on Wednesday, March 18. USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for “Mormon Wives” and “The Bachelorette” for comment.
Additionally, Paul’s “Bachelorette” season was pulled from the air following the release of new footage allegedly depicting Paul and Mortensen during a 2023 altercation.
Here’s everything you need to know about Paul’s legal troubles.
Did ABC cancel ‘The Bachelorette’?
Yes, but just Paul’s season.
A Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY on Thursday, March 19, that Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette” will not be airing. The show was scheduled to premiere on March 22.
“In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of ‘The Bachelorette’ at this time,” the spokesperson said. “Our focus is on supporting the family.”
What has Taylor Frankie Paul said about ‘Bachelorette’ season cancellation
Following news of the new season being pulled off the air, Paul broke her silence in a statement to People magazine and Variety. “Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security,” the statement from her spokesperson read.
“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 statement continued. “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,” the statement concluded. “She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story.”
In a Tuesday, March 17 statement to People, Paul had also said, “Just the timing is hard, and it’s a big deal. I feel like every premiere that I’ve experienced, I’ve never enjoyed fully, so this is another one … it’s extremely hard, and it took everything to get me here today.”
Why are Taylor Frankie Paul and her ex-boyfriend under investigation?
Police are reportedly investigating an alleged domestic incident involving Paul and Mortensen. The Draper City Police Department in Northern Utah confirmed to People magazine on March 16 that there is an ongoing “domestic assault investigation” involving the TV personalities, who have both reportedly leveled allegations.
Law enforcement made contact with the parties on Feb. 24 and 25, the police spokesperson told People. When reached by USA TODAY, the Draper City Police Department issued a statement saying it “respects the rights and privacy of all citizens.”
The department added: “Without an immediate impact to public safety, it is the practice of the department not to release details related to active investigations.”
Taylor Frankie Paul TMZ video: What does it show?
On Thursday, TMZ leaked a 2023 video of an alleged altercation between Paul and Mortensen. The video starts mid-argument, as Mortensen records Paul yelling, hitting and kicking him, pulling his hair and holding him in a headlock.
“See Taylor, this is all you do,” Mortensen says. “This is not OK.”
TMZ reports that the video was evidence in the pair’s 2023 domestic violence case. Due to possible child abuse depicted in the video, USA TODAY is not sharing the footage.
Paul is later seen in the video throwing metal barstools at Mortensen. After she throws one of the stools, a child, identified as Paul’s daughter, is heard crying. “You did this,” Paul is heard yelling.
The clip is then obscured for the remainder of the video, as more movement and yelling are heard, including Paul’s daughter crying for her mom.
Mortensen yells back, “Help your daughter, stop screaming at me” and “you’re done,” as Paul repeats, “you did this.” Mortensen yells, “That is it, no more. I did none of this. This is your own pain.”He later says, “I’m done taking the blame for you,” while Paul yells for him to get out. Mortensen later tells Paul, “think of your kids,” and “you’re not OK, you’re drunk” as Paul is heard slurring her speech.
At one point, a doorbell is rung, after which Mortensen speaks to someone who says, “What’s going on?” Paul replies “nothing,” while Mortensen says, “she is hammered.”
Taylor Frankie Paul investigation comes after 2023 arrest
When “Mormon Wives” premiered on Hulu in 2024, it opened with Paul’s legal troubles stemming from a 2023 incident with Mortensen. She was arrested on misdemeanor charges of assault, criminal mischief and commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child, according to police.
Paul later entered a plea of abeyance to the aggravated assault charge, per People, local news station KSL and the Salt Lake Tribune. While the other criminal charges were dropped, the aggravated assault charge will reportedly remain for three years until she meets the conditions of her guilty plea.
According to KSL, Paul’s case has a review date in August. As part of the terms of the agreement, she is under supervised probation and must avoid violating the law for 36 months in order for the felony charge to be reduced to a class A misdemeanor.
What have Taylor Frankie Paul, Dakota Mortensen said about investigation?
While attending a press event for “The Bachelorette” Season 22 on March 17, Paul briefly acknowledged the domestic assault investigation, telling People magazine that her “heart hurts to see it, to go through it, especially at this time.”
She also told Entertainment Tonight that she wants to give the “whole background” of the situation at a “different time.”
“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,” Paul told “Good Morning America” on March 18. “But I will say, I’ve been here before and I got through it and shared my story … so I’m hoping that I can do that again.”
In a statement to Entertainment Weekly on March 18, a representative for Mortensen said, “his number one priority here is protecting Ever,” the couple’s nearly 2-year-old son. The rep also defended Mortensen against the assertion that he is the reason the purported incident is being made public weeks later, as Paul is promoting “The Bachelorette.”
“He knew there was a possibility it could come out, but he was not going to be the one to proactively do that because he has always wanted a decent relationship with Taylor,” the rep told the outlet. “He kind of just lets it all happen to him, and I think he realizes with the severity of everything now that he just can’t do that.“
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotlineat 800-799-7233 or text “START” to 88788.
Contributing: KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY
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