Taylor Frankie Paul would like to steal her 2.6 million Instagram followers for a sec
After her ex-husband Tate Paulfiled for a temporary restraining order against her—a request that was denied, per a court order obtained by E! News July 1—she responded in a series of posts on her Instagram Stories two days later
And, in case you were curious, she is not here to make friends
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“My holdback while being trashed and bashed needs to be studied,” The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star wrote on the first selfie, adding emojis that suggested she had receipts at the ready
In addition to the TRO request, her former husband, father to her daughter Indy, 8,and son Ocean, 6, filed a petition, obtained by People June 30, asking to modify the terms of their divorce and custody agreement
His motion came after the reality star—whose season of The Bachelorette was put on pause earlier this year after video of an altercation between her and ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortenson resurfaced—completed a stay in a rehab facility “on the advice of her mental health team,” a
Taylor Swift Marries Travis Kelce in Star-Studded Wedding at MSG
“She is committed to working on herself,” the insider added of Taylor’s time at the facility, which specializes in providing mental health treatment in addition to help for trauma and addiction, “and focusing on her family and being a good mom.”
But now that she’s finished her stay, she has time to address her legal battles with both exes. And she’s hoping fans will accept her explanation
E! News has reached out to attorneys for Tate and Dakota for comment but has not yet heard back
Taylor Frankie Paul/Instagram
“I spent the day crying and fighting for my 2 older children,” she wrote in her second slide. “They had returned. yesterday afer being withheld and they were expressing how excited they were to spend this year with me doing fireworks.”
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Continued Taylor, “Their dad even told me we could EXTEND it to monday so I relayed them the exciting news just for him to take it back??? & rip them away again today.” The result was gut-wrenching, she added, of watching “them cry, confused and asking why…”
The 31-year-old is not even certain herself
“If I understand correctly,” Taylor summed up. “Because I willingly seeked extra support for my mental health. I even was open with those who needed to know I only refused giving details to my controlling exs..I had my kids taken for doing the right thing…why would I ever ask for help again.”
And to clarify any questions about her stay at the facility, she added, “I openly tested at the facility and was clean aside from my prescription meds I openly talk about. This is abuse by proxy.”
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In a rare revelation about their arrangement, Tate commented on a TikTok livestream hosted by Dakota’s roommate Cru Easton, “My co-parenting relationship has been peaceful for the most part. The last few months has been not so.”
After summing up her situation with Tate, Taylor addressed her back-and-forth with ex Dakota
The pair, who share a 2-year-old son, previously took out competing protective orders against each other, alleging abusive behaviors throughout their three-year relationship. (Dakota has categorically denied what he calls Taylor’s “baseless claims.”)
Taylor Frankie Paul/Instagram
“The second half of today 3rd party was needed for baby switch off (not on my end) cops called me so they could come be that..I said yes,” Taylor explained. “The officer was very kind. However my body is traumatized by constant cop calls, cps calls, visits and new reports. Baby daddy’s claim it’s for ‘safety’ meanwhile I have the children while they are out having fun either on vacation or concerts…I’m always at home recovering from this trying to survive.”
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Continuing to outline the stress of everything in her life, Taylor wrote, “I’m dealing with the system, while be tagged teamed, plus a smear campaign was happening. While trying to recover my own nervous system from so much abuse done to me…while also trying to help and console them. And daddy is seen out having fun, smiling, while his child is in agony.”
Referencing claims that she’s “not well,” Taylor added, “FACTS. I am not okay because I care and anyone with a heart would be dying witnessing this for months now.”
Now Taylor appears to be alleging her two former partners—she revealed a “soft-swinging” partner swapping scandal led to her 2022 divorce from Tate, while she and Dakota officially ended their on-and-off romance in 2025—were working together against her
Taylor Frankie Paul/Instagram
“I was vulnerable and trusted my ex because he begged me to tell him what I went through and I cried telling him it all and then he pretended to feel for me,” she wrote in another slide. “He lied, twisted it, and then teamed up with the person that did it to me and filed against me as well. Oh and told me ‘this is a lesson to be nicer to him and tell him information when asked.'”
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The way she saw it, Taylor added, “This isn’t about safety it’s about control for them.”
Taylor finished up her missive by outlining the abuse she claimed to have suffered during her relationship with Dakota
“I’m tired and fed up,” she concluded. “My eyes are swollen from crying for my kids all day. and night. Don’t really care what I ‘shouldn’t post’ Done protecting them as they are still torturing me at my lowest. The MOTHER of their children. Weak ass men that lost control of me and didn’t like it.”
Claiming “one even told me he wants to be the mother of all his kids even if not together,” Taylor added, “I’m exhausted all around and hope the courts see who they really are.”
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To learn more about their ongoing legal struggles, keep reading
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.Paul 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, Mortensen “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, Mortensen attempted to leave the residence, however [Paul] began hitting him.”
August 2023: Taylor Frankie Paul Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Assault
Paul 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 Paul abided by the terms of her plea agreement, per the documents.According to her plea deal, Paul 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
Paul and Mortensen’s son was born a week early, with Paul posting a photo from the hospital to Instagram on April 4, 2024 and writing, “We’ve had the best two weeks with him. We all love you so much, thank you for blending our family.”
September 2024: Taylor Frankie Paul Speaks Out About 2023 Arrest
Paul admitted in an interview with E! News that the altercation with Mortensen 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.”Paul 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 Mortensen 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.”
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Sept. 6, 2024: Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Premieres
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives debuted on Hulu in September 2024, with the first episode of season one featuring Paul’s 2023 arrest.
May 18, 2025: Taylor Frankie Paul Confirms Dakota Mortensen Breakup After On-Again, Off-Again Relationship
Paul confirmed their split in May 2025 after it was revealed on the season two premiere of SLOMW that Mortensen 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, Mortensen 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 asThe Bachelorettefor Season 22
In a surprising turn of events, Paul 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 Paul, 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,” Paul 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 Paul began filming season 22 of The Bachelorette, she and Mortensen 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 Paul 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 Paul 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 Mortensen made it clear he was still interested in a relationship, telling Paul, “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?”
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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 Paul and Mortensen 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 Paul and Mortensen—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 Paul and Mortensen’s 2026 dispute, video footage from their physical altercation in 2023 was released by TMZ. In the video, Mortensen can be seen recording the fight on his phone as Paul yells at him and attempts to strike him, at one point putting him in a headlock. “Look,” Mortensen can be heard saying, “this is called physical abuse.”He could also be heard telling her that her daughter was present as Paul began throwing metal barstools at him. During the altercation, Paul accused Mortensen 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, Paul 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 Paul 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 Mortensen’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
After video of the 2023 altercation between Paul and Mortensen surfaced, ABC confirmed that it would be cancelling season 22 of The Bachelorette, with a spokesperson for Disney Entertainment saying in a statement to E! News, “We have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family.”
March 19, 2026: Taylor Frankie Paul Speaks Out on Bachelorette Cancelation
Following ABC’s decision, Paul 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 Paul 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
Mortensen spoke out about the domestic violence allegations between himself and Paul, 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,” Paul added, “and hope that Taylor will do the same.”
March 20, 2026: Dakota Mortensen Granted Temporary Custody of Son
Mortensen was awarded temporary custody of their son after filing for a protective order against Paul, according to documents obtained by People March 20. A hearing in the matter was scheduled for April 7—where Taylor would be allowed to speak and share her side—but until then, the order stated that “no parent time is allowed,” per the outlet.
March 24, 2026: Third Police Investigation
Authorities in Utah began investigating another alleged domestic violence incident that took place in 2024 which Mortensen brought to the police’s attention in February, a West Jordan Police Department spokesperson told NBC News March 24. While investigators spoke to Paul’s attorney, they had not yet spoken to her directly, and hoped for her to submit a written statement or be interviewed to corroborate details of Mortensen’s report, per the spokesperson.
April 14, 2026: Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office Announced It Would Not File New Charges Against Taylor Frankie Paul
A week after Paul was granted supervised visitation with her and Mortensen’s son during an April 7 court hearing, The Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office announced in a news release it would not be filing charges against her after two separate investigations led by the Draper Police Department and West Jordan Police Department, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.According to the outlet, the news release noted, “Due to the high profile of the defendant, the cases were reviewed by multiple attorneys.”
