Taylor Frankie Paul has addressed the recent allegations of domestic violence with a statement skirting around the issue.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star appeared Wednesday on Good Morning America to speak about her upcoming season of The Bachelorette when she was asked to respond to reports that filming for SLOMW have been paused due to a police investigation into a recent alleged dispute between her and her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.
“Honestly, it’s been a heavy time to see the headlines, especially during the time of The Bachelorette being released,” Paul, 31, said on the ABC morning show, echoing the exact words she said at a New York City press event the night before.
“It’s supposed to be an exciting time. I’m a person that always speaks her truth, that’s what I’m known for,” she said. “When the time is right, I will be.”
The MomTok founder continued, “But right now, just trying to be in the present moment and focus on this. The thing is that my kids do come first. My kids come first, and so it’s been like, just a back-and-forth process trying to be here in the present moment, worrying about home and headlines. It’s been stressful, to be honest.”
When asked about her future on SLOMW, the mom of three continued: “It’s hard to see past this, I’m not going to lie, in this moment, it’s just so heavy. 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. But I will say, I’ve been here before and I got through it and, you know, shared my story and my life so I’m hoping that I can do that again.”
Paul dodged questions about the paused production on Hulu’s hit reality show and cryptically said, “I don’t call the shots with production so as of now I have gotten word that it has been paused.”
Following the GMA episode, a representative for Mortensen spoke out in a statement made to Entertainment Weekly. “His number one priority here is protecting [their 2-year-old son], Ever,” the statement read, denying claims that the situation was made public because of him.
“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. It's been really hard to achieve that, but he wants to co-parent well.
“He was just hoping that if he says nothing, as he usually does, it would go away,” the representative continued, referring to the drama. “He's never done any kind of sit-down interview about his side. He kind of just lets it all happen to him, and I think he realizes with the severity of everything now that he just can't do that.”
SLOMW’s season five shoot is on hiatus, as Paul confirmed, due to tensions between her and Mortensen erupting, resulting in the call to Paul’s Utah home in February.
Draper City Police confirmed that an active domestic assault investigation into the former couple is ongoing, saying, “allegations have been made in both directions.” No charges have been filed yet.
Paul has led the cast of SLOMW since its debut in 2024. She is set to star in season 22 of The Bachelorette, which premieres on ABC Sunday. ABC and Hulu have not returned The Independent’s request for comment,
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