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An audio recording obtained by NBC News reveals that members of the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives cast voiced their worries about Taylor Frankie Paul during a Zoom call with ABC executives on March 7. Simultaneously, a district attorney commented on Taylor’s probationary situation, while her former partner, Dakota Mortensen, publicly addressed his request for a restraining order against her.
Credit: Disney/Fred Hayes, Instagram
On March 19, a video from 2023 emerged, depicting Taylor hurling chairs at Dakota, who pleaded with her to cease. The situation escalated when one chair hit her daughter, causing her to cry. Taylor subsequently admitted guilt to charges of aggravated assault against Dakota. The indictment noted that her daughter was inadvertently struck during the conflict, with Dakota being the father of Taylor’s youngest child.
Following the video’s release, ABC decided to cancel the upcoming season of The Bachelorette, which was scheduled to air on Sunday. In response, Taylor has alleged that Dakota was abusive towards her.
A spokesperson from the Draper Police Department recently confirmed an ongoing investigation into a “domestic assault” involving a different incident between Taylor and Dakota that allegedly took place in February. Reports suggest that Taylor attempted to choke Dakota during this encounter. As the controversy unfolds, the SLOMW castmates have opted to pause the filming of their new season.
Recently, a Draper Police Department spokesperson confirmed that there’s an ongoing “domestic assault investigation” concerning a separate incident that allegedly occurred between Taylor and Dakota in February. According to one report, she allegedly tried to choke him. Amid the controversy, the SLOMW castmates decided to pause filming for the new season.
NBC News obtained audio indicating that the SLOMW co-stars had a nearly 30-minute Zoom call with ABC execs on March 7 after the incident concerning Taylor and Dakota. According to the outlet, castmates told the execs that they were concerned about continuing to film SLOMW if Taylor stayed involved.
In the Zoom meeting, castmates expressed concern for their future careers, as well as SLOMW’s brand. The stars brought up the allegations of abuse regarding Taylor. One castmate claimed they weren’t comfortable shooting scenes while Taylor is still under investigation.
“It’s a dangerous situation, it’s a sad situation, and we don’t know how to navigate it, because Taylor is our friend,” said a cast member in the meeting.
An insider told the outlet, “The purpose of the March 7 Zoom was to tell ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ cast that we care about their safety, and they should not feel pressured to do press or film the show.”
“The production company engaged a seasoned law firm to conduct an investigation of the competing and conflicting allegations that Taylor and Dakota had toward one another,” the insider continued, “and it would have been inappropriate to engage in a dialogue regarding an ongoing investigation.”
The source who shared the audio claimed that three Disney execs attended the meeting, one of whom was Rob Mills, an executive VP of unscripted and alternative entertainment.
Per the recording, the cast discussed Taylor’s alleged behavior. At one point, Rob stated in the meeting, “I don’t know a lot, nor do I want to know too much.”
The insider shared that Rob couldn’t discuss the investigation.
“This is not me putting my head in the sand, but it’s not me — you know, I don’t want to inquire, because I don’t know what that does,” Rob said later on.
Multiple co-stars mentioned “upsetting” and “distressing” videos of Taylor’s alleged behavior, though they didn’t show the videos or reveal details in the meeting. One castmate said it’s “concerning” that nobody at Hulu or Disney appeared to want to find out what happened in these videos.
In the call, a cast member asked Rob if he was “aware [that Taylor has] hurt a child?” Rob responded, “I don’t think for us getting into it is right.” Later, he said the company is “never going to hide anything that is wrong for the sake of business.”
Rob encouraged the cast to discuss their concerns on SLOMW, but he didn’t promise that it wouldn’t be edited out. Castmates also voiced their concern about Taylor having a higher salary, though Rob denied it.
The audio indicated that the cast agreed to stop filming until the legal situation plays out.
“I want this to continue, and I want everyone to continue really being successful, both with this show and beyond it,” Rob said at one point. “But I think really, just navigating through this thing and taking care of each other is the most important thing right now.”
Rob didn’t respond immediately to the outlet’s request for a comment. Disney reps declined to give additional statements regarding the subject.
Meanwhile, a Salt Lake County district attorney addressed whether the recent assault allegations against Taylor could mean that she violated her probation from the 2023 case.
“We have received the police report for the new allegations, and it is our understanding the case is being screened by the Draper City prosecutor,” said D.A. Sim Gill to TMZ. “We requested the police report so our prosecutors could evaluate how those new allegations may affect the case for which the defendant is currently on probation.”
Around the same time, Dakota spoke out after he filed for the restraining order.
“As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation,” stated Dakota to Entertainment Weekly via a statement. “I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny. I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same.”