Taylor Frankie Paul addresses domestic violence reports in first televised interview
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Taylor Frankie Paul has given her first live TV interview since news broke of her involvement in an alleged domestic abuse altercation.
A Draper City Police Department representative confirmed that a 'domestic abuse investigation' had been opened earlier this week involving Paul and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen.
The spokesperson revealed that 'allegations have been made in both directions', and that 'contact was made with involved parties on [Feb] 24th and 25th'.
A source later told PEOPLE that Paul had some 'pretty serious stuff happening regarding her past, and they will see what happens'.
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Another insider alleged that several of her cast-mates had made the decision to distance themselves from her in light of the rumours.
"None of the women wants to be associated with her," they claimed.
Appearing on Good Morning America on Wednesday morning (18 Mar) in her first televised interview since the news broke, the 31-year-old claimed the situation feels like the 'end of the world'.
"When your life is broadcasted out there in these headlines, it’s like the end of the world, that’s what it feels like," Paul admitted. "I’m not going to lie."
Paul - who is also set to star in an upcoming instalment of The Bachelorette - added: "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."
The new season of The Bachelorette is scheduled to air on Sunday - something Paul claimed she's been struggling to feel excited about in the face of an ongoing police investigation.
The mother-of-two continued: "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.
"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."
Paul - who shares a one-year-old son, Ever, with Mortensen - added: "But right now just trying to be in the present moment and focus on this."
She went on to insist, however, that no matter the speculation surrounding her professional life, her two kids will always 'come first'.
Also during the segment, the reality TV star was asked why she decided to make the move from TSLOMM to The Bachelorette, claiming her co-stars Whitney Leavitt and Jen Affleck had spurred the decision.
"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?'" she recalled.
"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's television appearance comes days after she told PEOPLE during the press preview of The Bachelorette that it 'took everything' to make her public appearance.
"Honestly, just like, my heart hurts to see it, to go through it, especially at this time," she confessed. "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."
Paul - the original founder of MomTok - went on to recall: "It's just heavy. It's a heavy time, and it's unfortunate.
"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."
She continued: "I just feel like it was the right thing to do... show up even though it's hard."
The investigation comes just three years after Paul was handed misdemeanour charges of assault, as well as of criminal mischief and commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child, following a heated row with Mortensen.
She stood accused at the time of launching a chair at her former flame, that reportedly hit her daughter, whom she shared with a previous partner (via CBS News).
Speaking to Call Her Daddy podcast host, Alex Cooper, in the months that followed, she claimed these charges 'were all dropped'.
"I think I was being very selfish, and I've accepted that I was selfish at that time," she reflected on the incident. "But I've learned from it, and I've been trying to make up for it."
Tyla contacted Paul's representatives and Hulu for further 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: The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Reality TV, Celebrity, US News, Crime
Rhianna Benson