Mormon Wives star Whitney Leavitt has broken her silence on the domestic violence scandal involving Taylor Frankie Paul.
Last week, Paul’s season of The Bachelorette was scrapped by ABC just days before its premiere after disturbing 2023 footage of her attacking her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen in front of her eight-year-old daughter was released.
Amid the scandal, it was also revealed that Hulu has halted production on season five of The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives, which stars both Paul and Leavitt and is among the streamer’s top shows.
Without mentioning Paul by name, Leavitt, 32, addressed the ongoing drama for the first time while speaking to Interview Magazine on Wednesday.
‘I have a lot of emotions about it and I’m still processing everything that’s happening, but the safety of human beings, especially children, comes first,’ she began.
‘Always, period, the end. And I don’t want that to be tolerated. I don’t want that to be overlooked.
Mormon Wives star Whitney Leavitt has broken her silence on the domestic violence scandal involving Taylor Frankie Paul
‘It’s just so fresh. That’s all I have to say about that.’
Leavitt’s statement comes amid uncertainty about the future of The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives as production has reportedly been on hold for weeks.
The reality series follows a group of Mormon mommy influencers – known on social media as ‘MomTok’ – who ‘face a scandal involving swinging, which threatens their faith, friendships, and reputations,’ as per IMDb.
Along with Paul and Leavitt, the show also stars Jen Affleck, Jessi Draper, Demi Engemann, Mikayla Matthews, Mayci Neeley, Layla Taylor and newest addition Miranda McWhorter, who joined the cast in season two.
The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives, which is mostly centered around Paul, first began airing in 2024.
Season four wrapped on Hulu on March 12, 2026 just days before the Paul scandal erupted.
Production on season five was paused over a more recent alleged domestic dispute between Paul, 31, and her ex Mortensen, 33, which reportedly took place in February of this year and is still under investigation by authorities in Utah.
TMZ is alleging that the future of The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives is ‘very much up in the air’ as the show’s production company JJP has allegedly hired a ‘third-party investigator’ to investigate ‘unspecified leveled accusations among the cast.’
Leavitt and Paul star together on the hit Hulu series, which is currently on pause due to the scandal
Without mentioning Paul by name, Leavitt told Interview Magazine that she is ‘still processing everything that’s happening but the safety of human beings, especially children, comes first’; (L-R) Paul, Jessi Draper and Leavitt seen in 2025
The outlet’s source claimed that nothing will happen with the Hulu show ‘until findings can be reviewed by ABC.’
The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Hulu and ABC for comment.
This comes as Paul is now under investigation over a third allegation of domestic violence made by her ex.
A spokesperson for the West Jordan, Utah Police department told NBC News Mortensen accused Paul of domestic violence in a 2024 incident.
In a statement obtained by The Daily Mail, the West Jordan police said: ‘The West Jordan Police Department is currently investigating an incident involving Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen.
‘The allegations were reported at the end of February 2026, and detectives have reviewed video believed to have been recorded in early to mid-2024.
‘Investigators are actively working to gather and verify information and are in the process of interviewing those involved. At this time, no charges have been filed, as the investigation remains ongoing.
‘We recognize there is significant public interest in this case; however, it is being handled in the same manner as any other investigation. Our procedures and standards are applied consistently and without exception.’
No other details are available over what allegedly transpired, however the spokesperson told NBC News the police were contacted by Mortensen last month over the matter.
The spokesperson said the department is now reviewing numerous videos tied to the alleged incident to sort out the timeline and other details.
Last week, disturbing 2023 footage of Paul attacking her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen in front of her eight-year-old daughter was released
Hours later, Paul’s season of The Bachelorette was scrapped by ABC just days before it was set to premiere
The police only have Mortensen’s version of events and have not yet communicated with Paul, the spokesperson said. Her attorneys have been in contact with investigators.
Representatives for Paul were unable to comment. The Daily Mail has also sought comment from Mortensen but did not immediately hear back.
The police spokesperson said they want either a written statement from Paul or do an interview in order to assist in corroborating several of the details in Mortensen’s claim.
Mortensen also told the West Jordan police he was referred to them by the Draper Police Department due to the jurisdiction of the 2024 allegation.
It comes amid another open investigation into Paul and Mortensen over allegations of domestic assault.
‘Allegations have been made in both directions,’ a spokesman for the department previously told People, adding ‘contact was made with involved parties on [February] 24 and 25.’
Paul’s season of The Bachelorette was canceled just days before its premiere after a shocking 2023 video surfaced of her attacking Mortensen with her young daughter Indy present.
That case was public knowledge for years before video of the dispute came to light.
Paul and Dakota have a toddler together, son Ever. Paul also has a daughter, Indy, and a son, Ocean, with ex-husband Tate Paul.
After the cancellation, the reality star, who made her name appearing on Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, released a statement alleging she suffered ‘extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation’ in silence for years; seen on March 15
Mortensen was granted a restraining order against Paul on Friday after characterizing her as an ‘immediate threat’ to his safety.
After the cancellation, the reality star released a statement alleging she suffered ‘extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation’ in silence for years.
‘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 rep said.
They further claimed Paul has been staying quiet ‘out of fear of further abuse, retaliation, and public shaming’ and is now ‘seeking support,’ going through her options and ‘preparing to own and share her story.’
Mortensen has since denied ‘baseless claims’ made about himself and their relationship in a statement for The Daily Mail.
In a statement, 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.’
Read the full article here
