Warning: This article contains discussion of domestic violence which some readers may find distressing.
Earlier this week, violent footage surfaced featuring Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen.
The pair of reality TV stars are well-known for Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (SLOMW) which has documented their turbulent relationship over recent years.
The show’s very first episode saw an immediate halt to filming when police attended a domestic disturbance report, with bodycam footage in the premiere showing Taylor being interviewed by police, telling officers she was ‘so scared’ of Dakota.
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The mum was arrested in February 2023 and six months later pleaded guilty to aggravated assault.
And now, days before she was set to star in a new season of The Bachelorette, a video of the altercation was released, and the premiere has been cancelled. This clip featured alleged abuse and there are claims Dakota shared it in order to ‘harm’ Taylor – which he denies.
Taylor and Dakota’s relationship
The couple were in the earlier stages of dating when SLMOW first premiered and then welcomed their son, Ever, in 2024.
However, they have been very on-and-off and in the season two premiere, Taylor explained they had split due to Dakota’s infidelity. He’s consistently claimed he ‘never cheated’.
The pair have remained committed to having a strong co-parenting relationship, but seasons of the show have shown them both butting heads and continuing to sleep together. Their cast mates have repeatedly urged them to move on from each other.
And earlier this month, it was confirmed to PEOPLE that filming for season five of SLOMW had halted amid claims of domestic violence.
A spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department confirmed an open ‘domestic assault investigation’ involving Taylor and Dakota and that ‘allegations have been made in both directions’ over an incident in February this year.
‘Abuse’ video
The leaked video from 2023 came to light on Thursday (19 March), appearing to show her kicking Dakota and throwing chairs at him while her daughter was present.
“Your daughter just got hit in the head with a metal chair,” he told the influencer while she later responded: “You did this. You threw me.”
When officers arrived, Taylor told them Dakota had thrown her to the floor before he began filming.
Her spokesperson told Page Six this video was ‘selectively edited’ and therefore ‘conveniently omits context’.
They also slammed Dakota’s ‘never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor without any regard for the consequences for their child’.
Following the circulation of this video and the investigation, ABC decided to pull the new season of The Bachelorette in which Taylor is the central star. The season was due to start this weekend.
“In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,” a statement from Disney said.
Dakota denies ‘destructive campaign’
In a statement to Entertainment Weekly, a source for Dakota said his ‘number one priority’ is protecting their son as they denied the implication the influencer is the reason this has all been made 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,” they claimed. “It's been really hard to achieve that, but he wants to co-parent well."
They added that Dakota was hoping things would de-escalate and if he said nothing ‘it would go away’.
“He's never done any kind of sit-down interview about his side," the source continued. "He kind of just lets it all happen to him, and I think he realises with the severity of everything now that he just can't do that."
Taylor’s statement following The Bachelorette cancellation
Following ABC pulling her already-filmed season of the popular dating show, a spokesperson for Taylor released a statement, obtained by PEOPLE.
“Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritises her family’s safety and security. After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm."
They continued: “There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives. Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation and public shaming. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story."
The LADbible Group has contacted Hulu and representatives for Taylor and Dakota for comment.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, please know that you are not alone. You can talk in confidence to the national domestic violence helpline Refuge on 0808 2000 247, available 24/7, or via live chat, available 10am-10pm, Monday to Friday.
Topics: Celebrity, TV and Film, Disney
Jess Battison