Taylor Frankie Paul is addressing the fallout after a resurfaced video tied to her past domestic incident began circulating online, reigniting controversy just as her reality TV career was ramping up. With production halted on one show and another already canceled, Taylor Frankie Paul is now facing intense scrutiny from both authorities and the public.
‘Mormon Wives’ Production Paused Amid Taylor Frankie Paul Controversy
Production on the fifth season of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” has been paused following a new alleged domestic incident involving Paul and her ex, Dakota Mortensen.
According to PEOPLE, filming was officially put on hold earlier this week. A spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department confirmed to the magazine that there is an open “domestic assault investigation” involving the former couple. Authorities also noted that “allegations have been made in both directions” and that “contact was made with involved parties on [Feb.] 24th and 25th.”
The ongoing investigation has cast uncertainty over the future of the series and Paul’s involvement moving forward.
Video Footage Of 2023 Domestic Violence Incident Gets Leaked
The situation escalated further when TMZ released video footage tied to Paul’s 2023 arrest stemming from a domestic dispute with Mortensen. Paul, who shares a son, Ever, with Mortensen, previously pled guilty to aggravated assault, and the incident was later featured on “Mormon Wives.”
In the video, Paul is seen throwing metal barstools at Mortensen and striking him during the altercation. Her daughter, Indy, whom she shares with her ex-husband, was just 5 years old at the time and is seen near Mortensen as the chairs are thrown. She can also be heard crying in the footage.
Taylor Frankie Paul’s Team Fires Back At ‘Reprehensible’ Leak
Paul’s camp is pushing back strongly against how the footage was released, telling PEOPLE:
“It’s sad to see the latest installment of his never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor without any regard for the consequences for their child. Releasing an old video, which conveniently omits context, on their son’s birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior. Thankfully, the public has seen this act before and knows who he is and sadly, many will recognize this pattern of manipulation, both in his actions on the show, and from their own experiences.”
The statement frames the video’s release as a calculated move, shifting attention to the timing and intent behind it.
Social Media Erupts With Strong Reactions
Online, reactions have been swift and divided as viewers weigh in on both the video and Paul’s response.
One user wrote, “Context? I see Taylor Paul throwing chairs and hitting her child. Taylor wasn’t defending herself. She should be in jail.”
Another wrote, “Throwing metal bar stools at your ex in front of your young daughter is straight-up domestic violence,” while someone else replied, “So she just… failed to take any responsibility for destroying everything and painted herself the victim.”
Taylor Frankie Paul Calls It A ‘Heavy Time’ While Continuing Public Appearances Amid Fallout
Despite the controversy, Paul has continued to make public appearances. She attended a press event in New York City for her now-canceled season of “The Bachelorette,” where she opened up about how she’s coping.
“I think it’s been really difficult and heavy given, you know, all the headlines and what’s going on,” she told The Hollywood Reporter. “But I would say I am handling it like any normal human would, like struggling, but trying to show up at the same time.”
She echoed similar sentiments during an appearance on “Good Morning America,” again describing the situation as a “heavy time.”
Dakota Mortensen Files For Protective Order
The situation appears to have escalated even further in recent days. According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Mortensen filed for a protective order in Utah on Tuesday, outlining a series of alleged incidents that he claims occurred on February 23 and February 24, 2026.
In the filing, Mortensen said he was at Paul’s home with her and their son, Ever, when an argument between the two intensified. He alleged that during the dispute, Paul choked him, forcing him to physically remove her hands from his neck.
Mortensen also claimed she shoved him into a window and struck him.
