From MomTok to The Bachelorette: Taylor Frankie Paul's Controversial Rise
Taylor Frankie Paul's journey from a Mormon mom influencer on TikTok to the lead of ABC's The Bachelorette has been anything but smooth, with scandals and controversies shadowing every step. Just days before the premiere of her divisive season, production on Hulu's The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has been paused due to an active domestic assault investigation involving Paul and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen.
Domestic Assault Allegations Cloud Bachelorette Premiere
The Draper City Police Department confirmed that allegations have been made in both directions between Paul and Mortensen, though no charges have been filed yet. This news, first reported by TMZ, shocked fans who hoped Paul's search for love on The Bachelorette would end her toxic on-and-off relationship with Mortensen, the father of her youngest child, Ever. Paul, 31, has remained silent about the potential charges.
It is unclear if this incident will affect the upcoming season of The Bachelorette, which finished filming in mid-December. However, Paul's history of scandals did not prevent her from being cast as the first lead selected from outside the franchise, breaking tradition and sparking backlash.
A Chronology of Taylor Frankie Paul's Scandals
Soft Swinging Scandal: Paul gained millions of followers on TikTok for content about her family life in Utah. In May 2022, she announced her divorce from ex-husband Tate on TikTok Live, revealing a "soft swinging" agreement with other MomTok couples that contributed to their split. This bombshell confession led to speculation and eventually the Hulu reality series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.
Volatile Relationship with Dakota Mortensen: The first season of SLOMW, Hulu's most-watched unscripted premiere of 2024, showed Paul beginning a relationship with Mortensen, a recovering addict met on TikTok. Their relationship turned tumultuous after a breakup in December 2022 and reconciliation a month later. In February 2023, Paul was arrested and charged with three misdemeanors, including assault and domestic violence in the presence of a child. Bodycam footage of the arrest was included in SLOMW, showing Paul crying and explaining a fight with Mortensen. She later pleaded guilty to a third-degree felony count of aggravated assault, with other charges dropped.
In September 2023, Paul and Mortensen announced a pregnancy, drawing criticism from the Mormon church for having a child out of wedlock. Paul insisted she was not ready to marry again and gave birth to Ever True in March 2024. The couple broke up later that year, with multiple reconciliations before Paul was named ABC's new Bachelorette in September 2025.
Bachelorette Backlash and Ongoing Drama
ABC's decision to center The Bachelorette around Paul sparked criticism for straying from tradition and introducing her to 22 suitors despite her toxic relationship history. These concerns were validated by the recent pause in SLOMW filming due to a "blowup" between Mortensen and Paul. Draper police told People that both made allegations after an incident on February 24 and 25, with no further comments due to the pending investigation.
During the hiatus, reports suggest Paul's fellow MomTok members are distancing themselves from her. Jessi Draper commented on speculation, denying jealousy over Paul's Bachelorette role. Variety reports the filming pause is temporary and the incident did not occur on camera, with the police investigation not impacting the scheduled March 22 premiere of The Bachelorette. ABC and Hulu have not commented on the situation.
