Taylor Frankie Paul Says Domestic Violence Headlines Feel 'Like the End of the World' in First Televised Interview Since Scandal
Taylor Frankie Paul Says Domestic Violence Headlines Feel 'Like the End of the World' in First Televised Interview Since Scandal
Rachel McRadyWed, March 18, 2026 at 1:00 PM UTC
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Taylor Frankie Paul on 'Good Morning America' on March 18.Credit: GMA/X -
Taylor Frankie Paul gave first on-camera interview amid the news that there is an open "domestic assault investigation" regarding Paul and her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen
Paul spoke about the incident on Good Morning America ahead of the premiere of her season of The Bachelorette
Filming for The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season 5 has also been paused amid the ongoing situation
Taylor Frankie Paul is opening up for the first time on camera since news of an open police investigation into an incident with her ex broke.
After a spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department told PEOPLE on Monday, March 16, that there is an ongoing "domestic assault investigation" regarding Paul and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, Paul appeared on Good Morning America on Wednesday March 18, to speak about the situation.
"It’s hard to see past this — I’m not going to lie — in this moment, it’s just so heavy," Paul told GMA's Lara Spencer. "When your life is broadcasted out there in these headlines, it’s like the end of the world, that’s what it feels like — I’m not going to lie. I will say I’ve been here before and I got through it and I’ve shared my story and my light, and I’m hoping I can do that again."
Spencer noted that GMA reached out to Mortensen for comment and did not receive a response.
The Bachelorette is slated to premiere on Sunday, March 22. Paul told Spencer that the timing has made the news a particular challenge.
"Honestly, it’s been a heavy time to see the headlines, especially during this time of The Bachelorette being released, and it’s supposed to be a really exciting time," she said. "I’m a person that will always speak my truth and that’s what I’m known for and so when the time is right, I will be. But right now just trying to be in the present moment and focus on this."
Taylor Frankie Paul speaks out on 'Good Morning America' on March 18.Credit: GMA/X
Despite trying to focus on the dating reality show, Paul said that her "kids come first," admitting that her thoughts have been back at home with them.
She added that she originally decided to take on The Bachelorette after seeing her Secret Lives of Mormon Wives costars Whitney Leavitt and Jen Affleck compete on last season of Dancing with the Stars.
"I looked at that and I was like, you know, 'They can do it and they have kids and they are going out and chasing their dreams, why can’t I?' " Paul mused. "So for me, dating as a mom of three is extremely difficult, so I get to go out, get away from my toxic cycle here in Utah, go date and then also have my kids come out and visit me. That to me seemed like why not, right?"
Paul first broke her silence on the controversy to PEOPLE on March 17 at a press preview in NYC.
"Honestly, just like, my heart hurts to see it, to go through it, especially at this time," Paul told PEOPLE exclusively. "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.
"It's just heavy. It's a heavy time, and it's unfortunate," she continued. "I'm struggling for sure, but also at the same time I feel like if I don't show up, then I'm just giving these opportunities away and not enjoying what we've worked on and something super exciting that's coming. I just feel like it was the right thing to do... show up even though it's hard."
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Taylor Frankie Paul and her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen have been involved in an alleged domestic violence incident, police share.Credit: Araya Doheny/Getty; Michael Kirchoff/Disney via Getty
PEOPLE previously reported that the DCPD spokesperson said "allegations have been made in both directions,” referring to Paul and Mortensen, and confirmed that "contact was made with involved parties on [Feb] 24th and 25th."
A source also confirmed to PEOPLE that production was halted on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season 5.
"Taylor has some pretty serious stuff happening regarding her past, and they will see what happens," the source said. "Until that resolves, they are off.”
Another source close to the cast told PEOPLE that members of MomTok are distancing themselves from Paul as things unfold. "None of the women want to be associated with her," the source added.
News of police investigation came just one week before the premiere of season 22 of The Bachelorette, featuring Paul as the lead, and days after the fourth season of Mormon Wives dropped on Hulu. The reality show has been documenting the rocky relationship between Paul and Mortensen, with whom she shares 1-year-old son Ever, since its debut.
In 2023, Paul was arrested for alleged domestic violence following an argument with Mortensen. CBS News reported at the time that she faced child abuse charges after she was accused of throwing a chair at Mortensen that allegedly hit her daughter. Paul later clarified that the charges“were all dropped."
Dakota Mortensen; Taylor Frankie PaulCredit: Sara Jaye/Getty; JC Olivera/Variety via Getty
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In season 4 of Mormon Wives, Paul’s costars expressed concern that she wasn’t ready to be the Bachelorette due to her ongoing entanglement with Mortensen. The night before she left to film the dating series, it was revealed that Mortensen slept over at Paul’s.
Asked by producers what happened, Mortensen laughed and did not offer any details. However, Mayci Neeley claimed that Jessi Ngatikaura said Mortensen told her husband that he and Paul had sex that night.
When Paul landed in Los Angeles to begin filming The Bachelorette, she spoke with Mortensen over FaceTime, where viewers watched him apologize and acknowledge that his past actions — including his decision to date a friend of Mormon Wives costar Miranda Hope — have “caused a lot of problems.” He also asked Paul to “save a rose” for him before they ended the call.
While Paul thanked her ex for his apology, she later admitted in her confessional, "The apology is just words, like it always is."
"I do think it's an opportunity to get away from him, absolutely,” she added of going on The Bachelorette. “It's like a dream come true.”
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
