Taylor Frankie Paul Addresses Viral Domestic Violence Video: Breaking Her Silence

Taylor Frankie Paul, known for her appearance on “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” has spoken out after a troubling video from a 2023 domestic violence incident recently came to light.

The video, shared by TMZ on Thursday, shows Paul repeatedly assaulting her former boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen. This footage played a critical role in the 2023 legal proceedings, leading to her guilty plea for aggravated assault.

In light of the video’s emergence, ABC has opted to cancel the upcoming season of “The Bachelorette,” which was set to air on Sunday, featuring Paul.

Reacting to the video’s resurfacing, Paul’s representative expressed disappointment to the Daily Mail, stating, “It’s disheartening to witness the continuation of this relentless, attention-seeking, and harmful campaign aimed at Taylor, disregarding the impact on their child.”

The representative added, “Releasing an outdated video, lacking context, on their son’s birthday is a deplorable effort to divert attention from his own actions.”

But just two days before the video was made public, Mortensen filed for a protective order in Utah, citing a new alleged incident that took place in February 2026, per the outlet.

Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Taylor Frankie Paul broke her silence after a disturbing video from a 2023 domestic violence incident resurfaced, just hours before ABC canceled her season of The Bachelorette 

But just two days before the video was made public, Paul’s ex Dakota Mortensen filed for a protective order in Utah , citing a new alleged incident that took place in February 2026

According to the filing, the altercation occurred at Paul’s home, with their two-year-old son Ever present. 

Mortensen claims that a verbal argument escalated into a physical confrontation where Paul allegedly choked him. 

He claims he had to physically remove her hands from his neck, after which she shoved him into a window and struck him.

Describing the situation as ‘chaotic’ and ‘frightening,’ Mortensen says their son woke up from the commotion, which included Paul screaming and yelling, according to TMZ.

In the petition, Mortensen also referenced Paul’s previous 2023 arrest for assault, where she was accused of throwing chairs at him. 

As part of his filing, he has requested temporary custody of Ever and asked for Paul to be prohibited from drinking or using drugs during her parenting time.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Paul and Mortensen’s representatives for further comment.  

This latest incident has also halted filming for the latest season of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which features both Paul and Mortensen.

As part of his filing, he has requested temporary custody of Ever and asked for Paul to be prohibited from drinking or using drugs during her parenting time 

On March 16, the Draper City Police Department confirmed to People that Paul and Mortensen are connected to an open ‘domestic assault investigation.’

‘Allegations have been made in both directions,’ a spokesman for the department told the publication, adding, ‘Contact was made with involved parties on [February] 24 and 25.’

Paul attended a press preview for her season of The Bachelorette on March 17 and called the situation a ‘heavy time’ to People.

‘Honestly, just like, my heart hurts to see it, to go through it, especially at this time,’ she 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.’

‘It’s a heavy time, and it’s unfortunate,’ she added. ‘I’m struggling for sure, but also at the same time I feel like if I don’t show up, then I’m just giving these opportunities away and not enjoying what we’ve worked on and something super exciting that’s coming. I just feel like it was the right thing to do… show up even though it’s hard.’

She also told EW that she and Mortensen are currently ‘not in contact’ and are using a ‘third party’ for all communications and exchanges of their son.

But just hours after her statements, Mortensen’s representative fired back, telling EW, ‘His number one priority here is protecting their son, Ever,’ while also denying any suggestion that he was the one responsible for the investigation going public.

‘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 continued.

The bodycam video from the night of the incident, obtained by The Daily Mail in 2023, shows how the evening ended 

Paul was arrested and charged with three misdemeanors: assault, criminal mischief, and domestic violence in the presence of a child, according to Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office records 

‘It’s been really hard to achieve that, but he wants to co-parent well,’ Mortensen’s representative insists, adding that he was hoping the situation would calm down on its own.

‘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.’

Over the past few years, Paul and Mortensen have broken up and gotten back together on several occasions.

During Season 4 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Paul briefly explored a romance with another man but later slept with Mortensen while in Los Angeles. They also had another encounter before she left to film The Bachelorette

In an UsWeekly interview, Paul described their relationship as a ‘cycle,’ saying, ‘It’s been hard to get out.’

When asked how she reassured the Bachelorette contestants that she was ready to move on from her ex.

‘I made the decision to leave for two months and try. I reassured them that was why I was here,’ she said.

The publication also asked Paul if viewers might question if she was still ‘hung up on Dakota.’

‘That’s completely valid to think that and to see that. It took me making those decisions (with Dakota) to be ready for something else. A lot of these decisions aren’t the best, but I think I’m so open with it and honest, and even as many times as I backtracked, I still am open. Something I’ve (also) learned over the course of time is being OK being misunderstood,’ she said.

In the wake of the investigation involving Paul and Mortensen, filming for Season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has been paused.

The ongoing investigation has also impacted The Bachelorette’s brand partnerships.

On March 17, Cinnabon announced it was ending its collaboration with both Paul and the ABC show, despite having previously promoted new products tied to the series.

‘Cinnabon has made the decision to terminate its collaboration with The Bachelorette and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,’ the company said in a statement.

‘Recent developments and allegations surrounding the lead cast member led us to reassess this collaboration as it no longer aligns with our brand values.’