Reality television personality Taylor Frankie Paul broke her silence Tuesday regarding allegations of a domestic altercation with Dakota Mortensen that has disrupted production on their Hulu series and raised questions about her fitness as a parent.
Speaking exclusively to reporters at a New York City event on March 17, Paul, 31, defended her parenting amid headlines stemming from an alleged February incident with Mortensen, 33, with whom she shares a 23-month-old son named Ever.
"There is more to the context to everything and it is unfortunate," Paul stated. "It has been hard. And it sucks to be in this position. And the mother that I am, that is something I will always stand my ground on. I believe that I am a good mother and I have always treated my kids very well."
Paul emphasized that recent headlines do not reflect the truth of her parenting, asserting she has always treated her children with respect and has never harmed them. The reality star is also mother to daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5, from her previous marriage to Tate Paul.
The Draper City Police Department in Utah confirmed Monday, March 16, that an open domestic assault investigation involves the on-again, off-again couple, with allegations made in both directions. The incident has resulted in a production shutdown on season five of "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," the Hulu reality series featuring Paul and her social circle.
According to sources familiar with the production, Paul's castmates have expressed reluctance to resume filming alongside her. The women reportedly view her as a major liability and have made clear they do not wish to be around her at this time. While the cast previously believed Paul was in a better place and the show was moving in a positive direction, their stance shifted following the latest allegations.
The timing proves particularly complicated as Paul is scheduled to lead the upcoming season of "The Bachelorette," premiering Sunday, March 22, on ABC. Paul acknowledged that attending Tuesday's event required significant effort, calling the timing unfortunate and lamenting that another premiere has been overshadowed by controversy.
"It is another premiere that has been taken away from me," she said. "I have never enjoyed a premiere for any one of my shows. So it has just been very sad."
Prior to the alleged February altercation, Paul had discussed her turbulent relationship with Mortensen, acknowledging their pattern of conflict and reconciliation. She described their dynamic as difficult to explain to outsiders and admitted that both parties contributed to the toxicity.
"It was hard because I am, obviously, a part of that — it is not like I am pointing the finger like, 'He is [the toxic one].' It takes two to tango," Paul stated in a previous interview. "We were just not progressing. We like each other sometimes, and then we fight."
Regarding her decision to pursue "The Bachelorette" opportunity, Paul framed it as a conscious choice to seek a different direction in her romantic life. She explained that readiness is ultimately a decision, and she committed to leaving for two months to genuinely pursue new connections.
The recent incident is not the first legal matter involving Paul and Mortensen. In February 2023, Paul was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse with injury, and criminal mischief. She pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, and the remaining charges were dismissed.
During the first season of "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" in 2024, Paul addressed that arrest, calling it "the worst night of my life" while also characterizing it as "a blessing in disguise" that helped her recognize the need for change.
As the investigation continues, Paul faces scrutiny from multiple directions — from law enforcement, her television castmates, and the public. The outcome of the current investigation remains pending, and it is unclear how the allegations will impact either of her reality television commitments moving forward.