Featured Image Credit: Instagram/dakota_mortensen
Topics: Reality TV, Domestic Abuse, News, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Celebrity
Madison Burgess
Topics: Reality TV, Domestic Abuse, News, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Celebrity
Warning: This article contains discussion of domestic violence allegations which some readers may find distressing.
Dakota Mortensen has broken his silence after his ex-girlfriend Taylor Frankie Paul's season of The Bachelorette was pulled.
The 33-year-old called it a 'deeply upsetting situation' and 'categorically denies' the 'baseless' claims, after Paul accused him of 'mental and physical abuse' in a new statement.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star, 31, was due to be this season's bachelorette on the ABC dating show; however, the network announced they were scrapping the pre-filmed series yesterday (19 March).
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The choice was made after a video from 2023 was released by TMZ, which is thought to show a domestic violence incident between Paul and Mortensen.
A Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson said in a statement: "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."
At the time, Paul faced misdemeanour charges of assault, criminal mischief, and commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child. The mother-of-three pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault and had the other charges dismissed.
A Draper City Police Department representative confirmed that there is an ongoing 'domestic abuse investigation' involving Paul and Mortensen.
The spokesperson confirmed that 'allegations have been made in both directions', and that 'contact was made with involved parties on [Feb] 24th and 25th'.
After the announcement that The Bachelorette had been pulled, Paul's representative issued a statement to PEOPLE Magazine, alleging that she's suffered 'extensive mental and physical abuse'.
They said: "Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes 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."
The spokesperson added: "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."
Dakota Mortensen has since issued a statement, also to PEOPLE, responding to the claims against him by Paul.
He called her accusations 'baseless' and clarified that he 'categorically denies' them.
As per the publication, he said: "As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation. I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny. I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same."
The former couple shares a one-year-old son together, Ever True, who they welcomed on 19 March 2024.
Tyla has contacted representatives for Paul and Mortensen 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.
After splitting from her husband Tate Paul, who she had been married to since 2016 and welcomed two children, the 'MomTok' founder hard-launched her relationship with Dakota on TikTok, which featured a video of the pair dancing to Beyoncé's 'Cuff It'.
Following a turbulent few months, which saw the couple briefly split and sadly suffer an ectopic pregnancy, Taylor was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse with injury and criminal mischief after the incident.
All but the aggravated assault charge were dismissed.
The scandal then played out on Taylor's Hulu reality show, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.
Despite the domestic violence incident, Taylor and Dakota happily announced they were expecting. Their son, Ever True Mortensen, was welcomed on March 19, 2024, with the pair describing him as 'our angel sent from heaven'.
Taylor posted an emotional TikTok video announcing their split, along with the caption: "Chaos to pure silence. Wouldn’t wish this pain upon anyone, if you’re there take a drive, scream, cry, feel the pain, because I promise avoiding it will make it much worse."
Throughout 2025, the pair would spark rumours of a reconciliation, but ultimately, their relationship never restarted.
On March 19, Taylor's The Bachelorette season was pulled by ABC after a video from 2023 was leaked, which appeared to show a domestic violence incident going on between her and Dakota.