Taylor Frankie Paul, the reality TV star known for her role in Hulu's The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, has firmly denied reports suggesting she and her ex-partner Dakota Mortensen will not return for the show's upcoming season. The 31-year-old influencer addressed the speculation directly on social media Tuesday, April 21, after a report emerged claiming the pair had been written out of production following their highly publicized legal troubles.
"Interesting, that's not the call I got," Paul wrote in the comments section of an Instagram post, shutting down the claims that she and Mortensen, 33, would sit out the remainder of season 5. The denial comes amid a whirlwind of personal drama that briefly halted filming earlier this year, drawing intense scrutiny to the couple's volatile relationship, which has been a central storyline since the series premiered in 2024.
Us Weekly confirmed that cameras had resumed rolling on the Utah-based production just days before the report surfaced, following a pause triggered by an alleged incident between Paul and Mortensen in February. The couple, who share a 2-year-old son named Ever, had been navigating a turbulent on-again, off-again romance documented extensively on the show, which explores the lives of Mormon women in modern polygamous and swinger communities.
News of the production halt broke in March, when details emerged of a domestic altercation that prompted both Paul and Mortensen to file temporary restraining orders against each other in Utah courts. According to court documents, Mortensen was granted temporary custody of Ever, while Paul was allowed supervised visits pending a further hearing. The incident, which occurred in Draper, Utah, involved reports submitted to both the Draper Police Department and the West Jordan Police Department.
The fallout extended beyond the reality series. ABC executives decided not to proceed with Paul's planned appearance on season 22 of The Bachelorette, pulling her from the lineup just days before the season's debut episode. This decision amplified the media storm surrounding Paul, who had been positioned as a potential lead on the dating show.
Paul broke her silence on the matter last month in an interview with Us Weekly, offering a glimpse into the emotional toll of the situation. "There's more to the context to everything, and it's unfortunate. It's been hard. And it sucks to be in this position," she told the outlet, emphasizing the challenges of public scrutiny during a private crisis.
Legal developments provided some relief for Paul earlier this month. The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office, led by Sim Gill, announced it would not pursue charges against her related to the February incident. "After reviewing reports and evidence submitted to the Draper Police Department and West Jordan Police Department, the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office has declined to file charges against Taylor Frankie Paul," the office stated in a formal release to Us Weekly.
With charges off the table, Paul has leaned into social media as a platform for processing her experiences, a choice she defended publicly on Monday, April 20. In an Instagram post, she explained her approach to healing amid the ongoing attention. "I'll continue sharing on social media showing how ugly healing can truly be. Making and editing videos is my way of processing just like people who like to write into a journal," Paul wrote. "This is my way and I choose to share it. Saying this with love, most people would need to get off and [that is] so understandable. I'm not most."
I'll continue sharing on social media showing how ugly healing can truly be. Making and editing videos is my way of processing just like people who like to write into a journal. This is my way and I choose to share it.
Paul's return to posting comes after a period of relative silence, during which she navigated the restraining orders and custody arrangements. The couple's relationship timeline, marked by multiple breakups and reconciliations, has been a focal point of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, with episodes detailing their shared history from initial romance to co-parenting struggles.
Mortensen, for his part, also addressed the situation on social media the same day as Paul's post. In a lengthy statement, he reflected on the recent events and his priorities moving forward. "Over the past several weeks, I’ve taken a step back and had time away from the chaos. That space has been a breath of fresh air and has given me clarity. My focus now is where it should have been all along—on my son and creating a stable, healthy environment for him moving forward," Mortensen wrote.
He continued by acknowledging his role in the difficulties, while pushing back against media narratives. "I regret not stepping away from the difficult cycle sooner. I’m not perfect, and I take accountability for my part. I’m sincerely sorry to those I’ve hurt. At the same time, I don’t agree with how this situation has been portrayed publicly. It does not reflect the full context of what occurred or the impact it has had on me and my son."
Over the past several weeks, I’ve taken a step back and had time away from the chaos. That space has been a breath of fresh air and has given me clarity. My focus now is where it should have been all along—on my son and creating a stable, healthy environment for him moving forward.
The contrasting statements highlight the differing perspectives within the former couple's circle. While Paul has chosen transparency through content creation, Mortensen appears to be retreating from the spotlight to prioritize family stability. Neither has confirmed details of their current co-parenting dynamic beyond the court-mandated arrangements.
Background on Paul and Mortensen's relationship reveals a pattern of highs and lows that captivated viewers. They began dating in 2021, splitting and reuniting multiple times before welcoming Ever in 2022. Their involvement in the swinging lifestyle, a theme of the Hulu series, added layers to their on-screen narrative, often sparking controversy among conservative audiences.
The pause in production for The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives underscores the challenges of filming reality TV amid real-life legal entanglements. Hulu has not commented publicly on the cast changes or the future of Paul and Mortensen's roles, but the resumption of shooting suggests the network is moving ahead with the season. Industry insiders report that the show's success—drawing millions of streams since its 2024 debut—relies heavily on dramatic personal stories like Paul's.
As the next court hearing approaches, questions linger about how the custody battle will unfold and its potential impact on the series. Paul has hinted at her continued involvement, but unconfirmed reports of cast shake-ups persist in entertainment circles. For now, both Paul and Mortensen are focusing on personal recovery, with the public left watching for updates on their professional trajectories.
The broader implications for reality TV stars like Paul highlight the blurred lines between private turmoil and public persona. With no charges filed and production back on track, season 5 could offer fresh insights into her journey, provided she returns as indicated. Fans and critics alike await official announcements from Hulu, while the couple's story continues to evolve off-camera in Utah's close-knit communities.