Rachel Lindsay Weighs in on "Tainted" Bachelorette Franchise’s Future

Feb. 17, 2023: Taylor Frankie Paul Arrested Following Confrontation With Dakota Mortensen

After rising to fame with #MomTok, Taylor Frankie Paul was arrested in Utah on Feb. 17, 2023 stemming from an incident with then boyfriend Dakota Mortensen. She was accused of throwing metal chairs and a wooden playset at him while one of her two children—who she shares with ex-husband Tate Paul—was in the room, per an affidavit obtained by ABC 4 Utah.

Taylor was charged with one count of felony aggravated assault, two counts of felony domestic violence in the presence of a child causing injury, one count of misdemeanor child abuse and one count of misdemeanor criminal mischief, according to court documents released by the District Attorney for Salt Lake County and obtained by E! News at the time.

A Herriman Police Department officer who responded to the incident said that when he arrived, Dakota "reported he was in an argument with his girlfriend,” according to a written declaration in the court documents. The officer further stated that "during the argument, Dakota attempted to leave the residence, however [Taylor] began hitting him."

August 2023: Taylor Frankie Paul Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Assault

Taylor pleaded guilty to a third-degree felony count of aggravated assault in August 2023, according to court documents obtained by the Salt Lake Tribune, while four other charges were dismissed with prejudice.

Her plea was held in abeyance for three years, at which time the charge would be entered as a Class A misdemeanor as long as Taylor abided by the terms of her plea agreement, per the documents.

According to her plea deal, Taylor was to obtain both a substance abuse evaluation and a domestic violence evaluation and complete any recommended treatment over a three-year period—as well as not violate any major laws.

March 19, 2024: Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen Welcome Son

September 2024: Taylor Frankie Paul Speaks Out About 2023 Arrest

Taylor admitted in an interview with E! News that the altercation with Dakota was their “rock bottom for sure.” 

"He stood by me with that because he knew everything going on behind closed doors,” she said. “That was a horrible night and I'm full of regret. Dakota has been at rock bottom himself, so he could totally relate. He was like, 'I want to help you out of this.'"

As for the confrontation itself, she later said the incident had been building up. 

“I had an ectopic [pregnancy] a few months prior, and then I had a chemical pregnancy,” she shared on the Viall Files podcast in September 2024. “I don't want to blame hormones, but I will put that into account. Like, I am pretty whack.”

Taylor added that the events had left her feeling lost and angry, saying, “I was feeling so low I went and drank that night. And Dakota picks me up and he’s angry that I drank.”

“I remember throwing things, and I don't know my daughters on the couch. We had babysitters there, so I think they’re upstairs sleeping,” she said, alleging that Dakota tried to tell her that her then 5-year-old daughter was present, but “I’m like so gone I don’t care, and I throw another chair.”

Sept. 6, 2024: Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Premieres

May 18, 2025: Taylor Frankie Paul Confirms Dakota Mortensen Breakup After On-Again, Off-Again Relationship

Taylor confirmed their split in May 2025 after it was revealed on the season two premiere of SLOMW that Dakota had cheated on her shortly after they had welcomed their son, writing on TikTok, "Dakota isn’t mine anymore, wish him the best.”

"Dakota and I were living together and in bliss with our new baby, and I was even considering engagement,” she said on the premiere episode. “And then I learned that he was lying this entire time.”

During a season four episode of SLOMW, Dakota admitted to cheating with their friend Shinia Powell, telling Taylor during a FaceTime call, “Was it dumb of me? Yes. Could I have picked someone else? Yes. Who it was matters, and that's where I think I went wrong. I picked somebody that was obviously going to come with problems, and that was very s--tty of me to do."

Sept. 10, 2025: Taylor Frankie Paul Is Cast as The Bachelorette for Season 22

In a surprising turn of events, Taylor was cast as the leading lady for season 22 of The Bachelorette, confirming the news during an appearance on Call Her Daddy in September 2025. The decision marked a notable departure for the franchise, as it usually casts suitors from previous seasons of The Bachelor in the position.

But for Taylor, it was a welcome change, saying in a teaser for the season, “I do believe I was gifted this for another chapter in my life.”

“I’ve been criticized, I’ve been judged and I’ve been rejected,” Taylor continued, “but anyone that takes the time to know me will see that I’m actually a genuine person and I mean well and a person that deserves another chance at love.”

Fall 2025: Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen FaceTime Before Filming Begins on The Bachelorette

Shortly before Taylor began filming season 22 of The Bachelorette, she and Dakota shared an emotional conversation seen during a season four episode of SLOMW, during which he apologized for having a relationship with Shinia, saying it was "very s--tty of me to do."

He added that he and Taylor had both done “a lot of things” to “hurt each other,” but believed that overall the two still loved each other. 

The pair agreed their relationship was “toxic,” with Taylor saying that being on The Bachelorette "will be one the best things for us, regardless of what happens. This would be the best break and breakoff of our cycle. You could do a lot of healing." 

But Dakota made it clear he was still interested in a relationship, telling Taylor, “I'm happy for you. I want you to be happy. That's what I'm saying, if you find someone, like, great. But all I'm gonna say—save a rose for me, 'kay?"

February 2026: Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen's Domestic Assault Investigation Opened

Filming for season five of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives was put on hold after an alleged confrontation between Taylor and Dakota in February 2026.

A spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department confirmed to People on March 16 that there was an open "domestic assault investigation" regarding Taylor and Dakota—telling the outlet that "allegations have been made in both directions.” The spokesperson explained "contact was made with involved parties on [Feb] 24th and 25th,” but declined to share more information due to the ongoing investigation. 

As a source shared with E! News, “Taylor owns her mistakes, all she wants to do is protect her son, Ever, from stories in the press or anything negative about his father and wants him to think well of his father."

March 19, 2026: Footage From Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen’s 2023 Confrontation Surfaces

Following news of Taylor and Dakota’s 2026 dispute, video footage from their physical altercation in 2023 was released by TMZ. 

In the video, Dakota can be seen recording the fight on his phone as Taylor yells at him and attempts to strike him, at one point putting him in a headlock. 

“Look,” Dakota can be heard saying, “this is called physical abuse.”

He could also be heard telling her that her daughter was present as Taylor began throwing metal barstools at him. During the altercation, Taylor accused Dakota of pushing her to the floor before he started recording, while he alleged, “You did this,” and asked her to help her then-5-year-old. Later, Taylor could be heard yelling, “Get away from my daughter.”

The responding police officer’s written declaration obtained by E! News in 2023 confirmed the child was hit by one of the stools. 

After the video was published, a spokesperson for Taylor told E! News in a statement that the video was part of “a destructive campaign to harm” her, saying it “conveniently omits context" and was meant to "distract" from Dakota’s actions. As for the real estate agent, he denied her claims as “baseless.”

March 19, 2026: ABC Cancels Taylor Frankie Paul’s Season of The Bachelorette

March 19, 2026: Taylor Frankie Paul Speaks Out on Bachelorette Cancelation

Following ABC’s decision, Taylor broke her silence about the situation. 

“Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security,” her rep told E! News. “After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, 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 statement continued, “There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives.”

Her rep confirmed that Taylor was “currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story.”

March 19, 2026: Dakota Mortensen Breaks Silence on the Allegations

Dakota spoke out about the domestic violence allegations between himself and Taylor, telling E! News in a March 19 statement, “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,” he said, “which I categorically deny."

"I am focusing on our son and his safety,” Dakota added of Ever, “and hope that Taylor will do the same."

March 20, 2026: Dakota Mortensen Granted Temporary Custody of Son

March 24, 2026: Third Police Investigation