Reality television star Taylor Frankie Paul, best known for her roles on Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and the upcoming season of The Bachelorette, has found herself at the center of a media firestorm following the release of a disturbing video. The footage, recorded in 2023 and posted by TMZ on March 19, 2026, shows Paul in a heated altercation with her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen. The video’s release, which coincided with their son Ever’s birthday, has prompted fierce public debate, a police investigation, and major consequences for Paul’s television career.
In the video, Paul is seen hitting Mortensen and throwing multiple heavy metal chairs—at times described as bar stools—in his direction. Mortensen, who is filming the incident, repeatedly warns Paul that her young daughter, Indy, is in the room and on the couch. Indy, who was three years old at the time (now eight), can be heard crying in the background. At one particularly distressing moment, Mortensen exclaims, “Your daughter just got hit in the head by a metal chair.” According to PEOPLE, the indictment from 2023 alleged that Paul threw “heavy, metal chairs” at Mortensen, and that her daughter was indeed struck during the altercation.
The fallout from the video’s release was immediate and intense. Paul’s spokesperson quickly issued a statement to several media outlets, including Page Six and PEOPLE, condemning the timing and motives behind the leak. “It’s sad to see the latest installment of his never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor without any regard for the consequences for their child. Releasing an old video, which conveniently omits context, on their son’s birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior. Thankfully, the public has seen this act before and knows who he is and sadly, many will recognize this pattern of manipulation, both in his actions on the show, and from their own experiences.”
Paul’s legal troubles stemming from the 2023 incident were already a matter of public record. She was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse, and criminal mischief. According to PEOPLE, Paul pleaded guilty in abeyance to aggravated assault, meaning that if she complies with her plea agreement—three years on probation—the charge will be dismissed. All other charges were dropped. Paul told responding officers that Mortensen threw her to the ground moments before he began recording, a detail she has maintained since the incident.
The release of the video has had far-reaching effects on Paul’s career and personal relationships. On March 16, 2026, just days before the video surfaced, production on Season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives was abruptly paused. A source told PEOPLE that “some pretty serious stuff [was] happening” regarding Paul’s past, and that the show would be on hold until matters were resolved. The Draper City Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE that there is an open domestic assault investigation involving both Paul and Mortensen, with contact made with both parties on February 24 and 25, 2026. Allegations have reportedly been made in both directions, though police declined to provide further details amid the ongoing inquiry.
The drama has also affected Paul’s standing within the influential “MomTok” community—a circle of social media influencers and fellow cast members. According to PEOPLE, members of MomTok are distancing themselves from Paul as the situation continues to unfold. “None of the women want to be associated with her,” one source noted, reflecting the growing isolation Paul faces as the scandal deepens.
Paul is currently in the middle of her press tour for The Bachelorette, with her season—season 22—originally scheduled to premiere on March 22, 2026. However, in a dramatic turn, ABC has pulled the season just days before its debut, as reported by Variety. The network’s decision underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the impact the scandal has had on Paul’s public image. During a press preview for her dating show stint on March 17, Paul acknowledged the toll the situation has taken on her. “Honestly, just like, my heart hurts to see it, to go through it, especially at this time,” she told PEOPLE. “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.”
Despite the turmoil, Paul and Mortensen continue to co-parent their son Ever, who is now two years old. Entertainment Weekly reported that Paul has majority custody, and Mortensen’s representative emphasized his commitment to protecting their child: “His number one priority here is protecting [their son] Ever. He knew there was a possibility [the video] 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. It’s been really hard to achieve that, but he wants to co-parent well.” Paul also shares two children, Indy and Ocean (now five years old), with her ex-husband, Tate Paul.
The video leak and ensuing investigation have reignited conversations about domestic violence, especially as it plays out in the public eye and within families with young children. Both Paul and Mortensen have made allegations against each other, and law enforcement has confirmed the ongoing nature of the probe. Meanwhile, those close to Paul have expressed concern for her well-being. One insider told PEOPLE, “We’re all worried for Taylor’s well-being. We want Taylor to get the help she needs.”
As the story continues to unfold, the intersection of reality television, social media, and real-life conflict has never felt more fraught. For now, production on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives remains on hold, and Paul’s once-bright television prospects have been clouded by scandal. With both the public and the entertainment industry watching closely, the final outcome remains uncertain, but the consequences for all involved are already deeply felt.
If you or someone you know is affected by domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org for confidential help.