Taylor Frankie Paul’s ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen is finally speaking out after their most recent alleged domestic violence incident went public.
“[Mortensen’s] number one priority here is protecting [their son], Ever,” his rep said in a statement obtained by Entertainment Weekly Wednesday.
“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 statement continued, noting that 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.”
Page Six has reached out to Paul’s rep for comment.
On Monday, a source told People that production on “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” has been halted amid an investigation into alleged domestic violence involving Paul, 31, and Mortensen, 33.
“They are not filming,” the insider said. “Taylor has some pretty serious stuff happening regarding her past, and they will see what happens. Until that resolves, they are off.”
A Draper City, Utah Police Department spokesperson told the outlet that “contact was made with involved parties on [Feb.] 24th and 25th” in the alleged incident, noting that accusations had been leveled “in both directions.”
The former on-again, off-again couple dated between 2022 and 2024 and share son 1-year-old son, Ever.
Paul broke her silence over the drama Tuesday, saying her “heart hurts to see” the headlines about the alleged incident, especially as her season premiere as the lead of “The Bachelorette” is just days away.
“Just the timing is hard, and it’s a big deal,” she told People during a press preview for Season 22 of the ABC dating show. “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.”
Although there was some speculation that her off-camera drama would stop her “Bachelorette” season from airing, Variety reported that the investigation into the incident “will not impact” the show’s release schedule or press plan.
However, her future on “SLOMW” is still unclear as Paul dodged questions about it during her Wednesday appearance on “Good Morning America.”
Paul and Mortensen had another alleged incident of domestic violence in 2023, which fans saw play out during Season 1 of “SLOMW.”
During that instance, Paul allegedly threw a chair at Mortensen that instead hit her daughter, Indy, 8, and was arrested and charged with commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child, misdemeanor assault, and criminal mischief at the time.
But the reality star, who shares Indy and son Ocean, 5, with ex-husband Tate Paul, revealed during a 2025 “Call Her Daddy” appearance that charges “were all dropped” in the case.
In that same interview, Taylor claimed she and Mortensen had parted ways “for good,” but the Season 4 finale of “SLOMW” revealed last week that Paul and Mortensen were together the night before she left to begin filming the “The Bachelorette.”
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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