Taylor Frankie Paul's ex breaks silence on domestic assault claims after Secret Lives of Mormon Wives filming halted
Taylor Frankie Paul's ex Dakota Mortensen has broken his silence on the ongoing domestic assault investigation involving the pair.
On Monday, news broke that filming on their show The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives had been abruptly halted due to a domestic violence probe involving Paul and Mortensen, who share a one-year-old son, Ever.
According to a spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department in Utah, ‘allegations have been made in both directions.’
In the wake of the investigation, Paul - whose season of The Bachelorette is set to premiere on March 22 - has publicly addressed the situation, telling People, ‘It’s a heavy time, and it’s unfortunate.’
She also told EW that she and Mortensen are currently ‘not in contact’ and are using a ‘third party’ for all communications and exchanges of their son.
But just hours after her statements, Mortensen’s rep fired back, telling EW, ‘His number one priority here is protecting their son, Ever,’ while also denying any suggestion that he was the one responsible for the investigation going public.
Taylor Frankie Paul's ex Dakota Mortensen has broken his silence on the ongoing domestic assault investigation involving the pair
On Monday, news broke that filming on their show The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives had been abruptly halted due to a domestic violence probe involving Paul and Mortensen, who share a one-year-old son Ever
'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,' the rep continued.
'It's been really hard to achieve that, but he wants to co-parent well.'
Mortensen's representative insists he was hoping the situation would calm down on its own.
'He was just hoping that if he says nothing, as he usually does, it would go away. He's never done any kind of sit-down interview about his side,' the rep continued.
'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.'
On Monday, it was revealed that production on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives - a reality series chronicling Paul and Mortensen's turbulent relationship since its debut in 2024 - had been suspended as police looked into an alleged incident involving the couple.
The Draper City Police Department has declined to release specifics, but confirmed that officers were in contact with both parties on 24 and 25 February.
As Paul prepares for the premiere of The Bachelorette season 22 this Sunday, she spoke to EW on Tuesday, hinting that Mortensen wasn’t in agreement with her desire to keep their legal matters out of the public eye.
Mortensen’s rep said, 'His number one priority here is protecting their son, Ever,’ while also denying any suggestion that he was the one responsible for the investigation going public
'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,' the rep continued, adding, 'It's been really hard to achieve that, but he wants to co-parent well'
‘I took action a few weeks ago, and now everything is handled through a third party - including pick-ups, drop-offs, and communication - so there’s no direct contact right now,’ she explained, speaking about her current relationship with Mortensen.
‘Honestly, it’s for the best, because we just weren’t getting along, so I had to take the most responsible action. I didn’t want to escalate things publicly, especially for the sake of my son and everything else that’s coming out. But that wasn’t Mortensen’s plan.’
In her first televised interview since the allegations surfaced, Paul addressed the situation on Good Morning America, indicating she would speak more openly when the time was right.
‘It’s been a tough time seeing the headlines, especially with The Bachelorette about to air, a time that’s supposed to be exciting,’ she said.
‘But I’m someone who speaks my truth, and when the moment is right, I will. Right now, I’m just trying to stay present and focus on what’s in front of me.’
Amid conflicting reports on what transpired between Paul and Mortensen, there have also been mixed reactions from Paul’s suitors regarding the controversy.
While EW sources claim that the men are ‘blindsided’ and ‘upset’ by the drama — including allegations of a hookup between Paul and Mortensen the night before she left for The Bachelorette - TMZ reported that the men believe the version of Paul they met on the show doesn’t align with the media portrayal, describing her as ‘genuine and well-intentioned.’
Paul responded to these conflicting reactions by telling EW that viewers will get to see ‘all sides’ of her personality.
‘You’ll see Open Taylor, sassy Taylor, but most importantly, you'll see the side that people don’t usually see on Mormon Wives - relaxed Taylor, chill Taylor, soft girl Taylor,’ she said.
‘I’m so excited for this side of me to finally be showcased because you already know the other sides. Now, I’m showing my true self.’
