Taylor Frankie Paul’s ‘Bachelorette’ Fallout: Domestic Assault Investigation and Demonstrate Suspension

The upcoming season of The Bachelorette, slated to star Taylor Frankie Paul, has been pulled from ABC’s lineup following the release of video footage allegedly depicting Paul and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, in a 2023 altercation. Simultaneously, production on Season 5 of Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has been paused due to a domestic assault investigation involving the pair, conducted by Utah police.

Investigation Details

Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen are currently the subjects of a “domestic assault investigation” by Utah police, according to USA Today. The investigation prompted the suspension of filming for the fifth season of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, as revealed by Paul during a March 18th interview.

Statements from ‘Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Cast

Following the surfacing of the alleged altercation, several stars of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives issued statements regarding domestic violence. Paul herself addressed the situation on her Instagram Stories, stating, “My personal history as a survivor makes it impossible for me to stay silent,” and affirming her stance against domestic violence in any form, while avoiding identifying any specific individuals as perpetrator or victim.

Hope, who gained prominence alongside Paul in the “soft swinging” scandal that initially propelled MomTok to fame, also posted on Instagram, denouncing domestic violence and expressing concern for the children involved. She stated, “Domestic violence and abuse of any kind is something I take very seriously…My heart is with the children in this, and I hope they’re safe, supported, and surrounded by love.”

Engemann shared a now-deleted Story featuring a meme about contentment in her marriage, adding, “The best revenge truly is living well. I’ll die on that hill forever.”

Paul’s Decision to Miss the Flight

In the Season 4 finale of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Paul missed her flight to begin filming The Bachelorette. According to Us Magazine, Paul described herself as “emotionally exhausted” and questioned her ability to continue with the show. Jessi Ngatikaura, a costar, claimed Paul had spent the night with Dakota Mortensen before the scheduled departure. Despite initial reluctance, Paul ultimately boarded the aircraft after encouragement from her MomTok peers and family.

Background

Taylor Frankie Paul initially gained recognition on TikTok in 2023, disclosing her involvement in a situation outside the boundaries of her and then-husband Tate Paul’s “soft swinging” friend group. This led to the creation of Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives in September 2024, which chronicled Paul’s tumultuous relationship with Dakota Mortensen.

Representatives for both The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and The Bachelorette have been contacted for comment.