Taylor Frankie Paul, the controversial reality television personality featured on Hulu's series about Mormon social media influencers, announced Sunday that she is distancing herself from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormon church.
The 31-year-old influencer shared her decision in an Instagram Story posted on Sunday, April 5, stating her intention to "detach" from the religious institution in which she was raised. Paul emphasized that while she maintains respect for the faith tradition, she feels compelled to pursue a different spiritual path.
"Born and raised Mormon (LDS) and I'll always have love and respect towards it. I'll even continue to go with my family at times ... with that being said, it's time to detach myself from it," Paul wrote in her social media statement.
The reality star clarified that her departure from institutional Mormonism does not represent a rejection of faith itself. She articulated a broader spiritual perspective that transcends denominational boundaries, expressing belief in Christian principles while questioning the necessity of formal religious structures.
"I strongly believe in Christ, God, the bible, the divine. I believe we are loved whether we are praying in [a] church building or from a bathroom floor at home," Paul explained. "I've also experienced grace and love from amazing people that aren't sure what they believe if at all and that's okay too."
Paul's announcement carries particular significance given her public profile within Utah's Mormon influencer community. She first gained widespread attention when she disclosed involvement in what she termed "soft swinging" with other couples in the Mormon community, including individuals who would later appear alongside her on the Hulu reality program. The series, which premiered in September 2024, has centered heavily on the intersection of Mormon culture and modern social media celebrity.
The timing of Paul's religious announcement follows a turbulent period in her personal life. Earlier on Sunday, she posted about enduring what she characterized as "hell on earth" over the preceding 40 days. In that message, she described experiencing severe anxiety and relying on prayer for strength during an unspecified crisis.
"The last 40 days felt like hell on earth," Paul wrote alongside a video compilation. "Through every panic attack I prayed for strength as I could feel my body breaking down and out from the distress of it all."
The reality star's recent struggles include the cancellation of her scheduled appearance as the lead on ABC's long-running dating program. The network pulled the season in March following the emergence of video footage depicting a domestic dispute and subsequent law enforcement investigations. Multiple Utah police departments confirmed they were examining separate allegations of domestic violence involving Paul and her former partner, Dakota Mortensen.
Paul shares three children from two previous relationships: a two-year-old son with Mortensen, and two older children with her ex-husband, Tate Paul.
Her public declaration of religious disaffiliation represents a notable development in ongoing conversations about the evolving relationship between younger generations and traditional religious institutions. Paul's statement reflects a broader cultural trend of individuals seeking spiritual fulfillment outside established denominational frameworks while maintaining personal faith commitments.
The influencer concluded her announcement by framing the decision as part of a personal journey of exploration and growth. "Point being there is more out there to learn. And I'm writing this out as a release," she stated, suggesting the public disclosure served a therapeutic purpose during a challenging period.