‘Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ star Taylor Frankie Paul reflects on domestic violence arrest after swingers sex scandal
‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ star Taylor Frankie Paul, who was joined by co-star Jessi Ngatikaura for a Fox News Digital interview, opened up about how her domestic violence arrest ‘could have saved my life’ after her swingers sex scandal.
Taylor Frankie Paul confronted domestic violence allegations head-on, admitting the fallout felt "like the end of the world" as she continued to endure intense public scrutiny days before the premiere of "The Bachelorette."
The Draper City Police Department said domestic abuse "allegations have been made in both directions," referring to Paul and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, People reported. According to authorities, "contact was made with involved parties on [Feb] 24th and 25th."
The alleged incident occurred weeks before Paul's season of "The Bachelorette" begins airing March 22.
"Honestly, it’s been a heavy time to see the headlines, especially during this time of ‘The Bachelorette’ being released, and it’s supposed to be a really exciting time," Paul said during an appearance on "Good Morning America."
"I’m a person that will always speak my truth, and that’s what I’m known for. And, so, when the time is right, I will be. But right now, just trying to be in the present moment and focus on this.
Taylor Frankie Paul addressed domestic violence accusations ahead of "The Bachelorette" premiere. (Getty Images)
"My kids do come first," Paul emphasized. "My kids come first, and so it's been like just a back-and-forth process trying to be here in the present moment, you know, worrying about home and headlines. It's been stressful to be honest."
Paul confirmed filming for the fifth season of "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" had been paused but claimed she didn't know why. The reality TV star admitted she isn't sure what her future looks like on the show as she deals with allegations of domestic violence for a second time.
"It’s hard to see past this – I’m not going to lie – in this moment. It’s just so heavy," Paul said. "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.
"I will say I’ve been here before, and I got through it. And I’ve shared my story and my light, and I’m hoping I can do that again."
Fox News Digital reached out to Draper Police Department for additional information.
Taylor Frankie Paul's season of "The Bachelorette" premieres on March 22. (Michael Kirchoff / Disney)
A representative for Mortensen told Entertainment Weekly Mortensen wasn't the one to make the domestic violence investigation public.
"His No. 1 priority here is protecting [their 2-year-old son], Ever," the rep said. "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. It's been really hard to achieve that, but he wants to co-parent well.
"He was just hoping that if he says nothing, as he usually does, it would go away. He's never done any kind of sit-down interview about his side," the rep continued. "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."
Taylor Frankie Paul's relationship with Dakota Mortensen has played out on "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives." (Fred Hayes/Disney)
Authorities arrested Paul in 2023 on charges of aggravated assault, two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse with injury and criminal mischief.
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The complaint, filed in 2023, alleged that Paul threw a phone, a wooden play set and "heavy metal chairs" at Mortensen. One of the chairs allegedly hit one of her children who was sitting next to her then-boyfriend on the couch during their argument.
Paul pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, while the other four charges were dropped.
Taylor Frankie Paul shares a 2-year-old son with ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
"It was a regret," she previously told Fox News Digital about her arrest. "Hitting rock bottom, there's only one way to go, and it helped me to go up. So, honestly, as bad as that night was, I think it was also like a blessing in disguise and maybe could have saved my life in a weird way, like, where I was just drowning in misery."
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Paul shares a son with Mortensen. The two officially ended their relationship in December 2024, after the birth of their son but have kept up on-and-off romantic contact with each other since.
Paul also shares two children with her ex-husband, Tate Paul.
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