Taylor Frankie Paul dodged questions about her “future” on “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” after her alleged domestic violence incident with ex Dakota Mortensen surfaced.
“It’s hard to see past this — I’m not going to lie — in this moment, it’s just so heavy,” she told Lara Spencer on Wednesday’s episode of “Good Morning America.”
“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. 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 reality star, 31, went on to call the alleged domestic violence incident that surfaced days before the upcoming premiere of her “Bachelorette” season really difficult.
“It’s supposed to be a really exciting time,” she continued. “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. But right now just trying to be in the present moment and focus on this.
“My kids come first so it’s been a back-and-forth process of being here in the moment and worrying about home and headlines,” Paul explained. “It’s been stressful, to be honest.”
Meanwhile, People confirmed on Monday that production on “Mormon Wives” has been put on hold as Paul is investigated.
“Taylor [Frankie Paul] has some pretty serious stuff happening regarding her past, and they will see what happens. Until that resolves, they are off,” a source told the outlet, with the Draper City Police Department confirming that “allegations have been made in both directions.”
Paul and Mortensen, 33, dated on and off between 2022 and 2024 and share son Ever, 1.
The exes briefly broke up in 2023 after Paul allegedly threw a chair at Mortensen that instead hit her daughter.
Paul — who shares daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5, with her ex-husband — was arrested at the time and charged with misdemeanor assault, criminal mischief and commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child.
All of the charges were dropped, and the two reconciled that same year. The Hulu personalities called it quits for good in 2024.
However, during the Season 4 finale of “SLOMW,” it was revealed that Mortensen and Paul hooked up the night before she left to film “The Bachelorette.”
Despite her current situation, the mom of three’s “Bachelorette” season is still set to premiere as scheduled.
Variety reported on Monday that the investigation into the incident “will not impact” the show’s release schedule or press plan.
While on “Live with Kelly and Mark” on Wednesday, Paul opened up about her time on the dating show, explaining that she still managed to talk to her kids despite the no-phone rule.
“I didn’t have my phone [on set]. I was in the bubble besides co-parenting and the kids,” she recalled about filming. “They were able to visit me at any time, which was really nice. However, they were in school, so there were times I think it was best they stay at home.”
She also reflected on how her past relationships influenced her experience on the series.
“Because I had been in a relationship with a very passive person, laidback, and then I had been to another extreme of over the top, I wanted to find that middle ground because that is what I think is going to suit me best,” she told Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos. “The balance of passive but ‘do your thing, my girl,’ but also fun and funny.”
As for where she stands today, Paul noted that she has “had better days.”
“It’s so heavy,” she reiterated. “There’s a lot going on; it’s been just hard, I will say.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.
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