Taylor Frankie Paul Speaks Out on Dakota Mortensen Dispute Amid 'Bachelorette' Debut

Taylor Frankie Paul addresses the "heavy timing" of her domestic dispute with ex Dakota Mortensen as she prepares to debut as the lead on ABC's 'The Bachelorette' Season 22.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 7:38 AM EDT

Source: Page Six

A "Heavy Time" and the Decision to Show Up

Paul described the current period of her life as "unfortunate," noting that her previous professional premieres have often been overshadowed by personal turmoil. Despite the emotional toll, she felt it was essential to honor her commitments to The Bachelorette. "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," she told reporters. The 22nd season of the series is set to premiere this Sunday, marking a major pivot for Paul from her social media-centric roots to mainstream reality television stardom.

Production Halt on 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives'

While Paul prepares for her ABC debut, her role in the Hulu hit The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (SLOMW) is currently on hold. Production was suspended earlier this week following an investigation into the February 2026 incident in Draper City, Utah. Law enforcement confirmed that accusations were leveled "in both directions" between Paul and Mortensen, who share a 1-year-old son, Ever. Sources indicate that filming will remain paused until the legal situation is resolved, leaving the future of the show’s third season in flux.

Finding Healing in Los Angeles

Paul described her time filming The Bachelorette in Los Angeles as a much-needed reprieve from her life in Utah. She noted that the experience provided "reassurance" in her value, credited to the "kind and gentle" nature of the men vying for her heart. Her primary condition for joining the show was ensuring she could maintain contact with her children—Indy (8), Ocean (5), and Ever (1). She claims the final decision to end things with Mortensen "for good" will be a central storyline in upcoming episodes of SLOMW, though the pair were reportedly together right before she departed for the Bachelorette mansion.