“His number one priority here is protecting Ever.”

Rep for Taylor Frankie Paul’s ex Dakota speaks out amid domestic violence investigation (Exclusive)

"His number one priority here is protecting Ever."

By Sarah Hearon

and Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman is a news writer for with previous work in MUBI Notebook, Slant, and the LA Review of Books.

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on March 18, 2026 11:44 a.m. ET

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Dakota Mortensen and Taylor Frankie Paul. Credit:

Disney/Fred Hayes

As conflicting reports continue to surface regarding an alleged domestic violence incident between Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen, a representative for Mortensen is speaking out in an exclusive statement to *. *

"His number one priority here is protecting [their 2-year-old son], Ever," the rep tells EW, denying the implication that Mortensen is the reason the situation has been made public. "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."

Mortensen's rep claims he was hoping the drama would de-escalate. "He was just hoping that if he says nothing, as he usually does, it would go away. He's never done any kind of sit-down interview about his side," the rep continued. "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."

EW has reached out to reps for Paul via ABC and Hulu for comment.

Dakota Mortensen and Taylor Frankie Paul.

Disney/Fred Hayes

News broke on Monday that production on *The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives* — which has documented Paul and Mortensen's rocky relationship since its 2024 premiere — was halted as police investigated an alleged incident between the pair. The Draper City Police Department has opted not to comment on the details, but did confirm that officers made contact with both parties "on [Feb.] 24th and 25th."

Paul is gearing up for the season 22 premiere of *The Bachelorette*, which is set for Sunday. She implied to EW on Tuesday that Mortensen was not aligned with her desires to keep their legal issues out of the media.

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"I actually took action about a few weeks ago. I'm just doing third-party everything — pick-up, drop-offs, communication — so no contact right now for me," she told EW of her current status with Mortensen. "I think that's the best case, honestly, because clearly it's just not to a point of us getting along, so I wanted to take the best action I could. … I didn't want to bring anything to the public eye, making it a bigger deal for the sake of my son, and just everything about to come out. But that wasn't the plan for [Mortensen]."

Paul also addressed the situation in her first televised interview since the scandal broke, telling *Good Morning America* that she will comment further when she is able to do so.

"Honestly, it’s been a heavy time to see the headlines, especially during this time of *The Bachelorette* being released, and it's supposed to be a really exciting time. I'm a person that will always speak my truth and that's what I'm known for and so when the time is right, I will be," she said. "But right now, just trying to be in the present moment and focus on this."

Taylor Frankie Paul.

Disney/John Fleenor

In addition to the varying accounts of what allegedly happened between Paul and Mortensen, clashing reports have surfaced about how Paul's suitors feel about the controversy. While a source tells EW that the men are "blindsided" and "upset" by the scandal and what aired on season 4 of *Mormon Wives* — including Paul and Mortensen allegedly hooking up the night before she left for *The Bachelorette* — TMZ reported that the men feel like the Paul who they met on the show doesn’t "match the accusations" in the media, describing her as "genuine and well-intentioned."

Paul told EW that both the men — and the fans — will see "all sides" of her if they tune into the show.

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"Open Taylor, sassy Taylor, but most of all [who] you don't really see [on *Mormon Wives*] is chill Taylor. Relaxed Taylor — soft girl Taylor," she said on Tuesday. "I'm super excited for that side of me to finally be showcased because you know the other sides. I’m showing my true self on there."

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