The new season of The Bachelorette is almost here, set to release in a couple of days on ABC. However, TMZ recently dropped a viral mugshot of Paul on Tuesday from an alleged 2023 assault case.
Now, The Bachelorette and Mormon Wives star Taylor Frankie Paul breaks silence on domestic dispute involving her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen.
New Taylor Frankie Paul Mug Shot, 2023 Assault Arrest Still Hanging Over Head https://t.co/2OugLnrYr8 pic.twitter.com/noixBBsy1x
— TMZ (@TMZ) March 18, 2026
Paul went on Good Morning America on Wednesday and said that “it’s been a heavy time to see the headlines,” referring to the domestic violence allegations while promoting her new season of The Bachelorette.
“I’m a person that will always speak the truth. That’s what I’m known for. So when the time is right, I will be. But right now, just trying to be in the present moment and focus on this,” she added.
Taylor Frankie Paul responds to recent headlines about an alleged domestic violence incident with her ex-boyfriend, the future of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” and what fans can expect from this season of “The Bachelorette.” pic.twitter.com/1J0BsJyOW1
— Good Morning America (@GMA) March 18, 2026
According to People, a source confirmed that The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives halted filming for season 5 as “Taylor has some pretty serious stuff happening regarding her past, and they will see what happens. Until that resolves, they are off.”
People also confirmed that Draper City Police Department has an open “domestic assault investigation” regarding Paul an dher ex-boyfriend, Mortensen. Apparently, the “allegations have been made in both directions” and “contact was made with involved parties on [Feb] 24th and 25th.”
Paul first broke her silence about the controversy on March 17, saying, “Honestly, just like, my heart hurts to see it, to go through it, especially at this time. Just the timing is hard, and it’s a big deal. 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.”
News of the investigation comes just one week before The Bachelorette season 22 premiere. The reality show, Mormon Wives, has documented the rocky relationship between Paul and Mortensen. In 2023, Paul was arrested for alleged domestic violence, and CBS News reported that she was faced with child abuse charges, but Paul later clarified that those charges were “all dropped.”
While co-stars on Mormon Wives don’t believe Paul is ready for the Bachelorette, as she seems to still be entangled with Mortensen, Paul believes this is “an opportunity to get away from him, absolutely. It’s like a dream come true.”
According to Variety, the investigation of the incident “will not impact” The Bachelorette’s release schedule or press plan.