Taylor Frankie Paul Assault Investigation Halts ‘Mormon Wives’ Filming
Season 5 of the hit Hulu reality show is officially on pause, and the reason centers on one of its biggest stars.
Multiple sources confirmed that "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" has stopped filming amid a domestic assault investigation involving Taylor Frankie Paul — the self-proclaimed founder of MomTok and arguably the most recognizable face of the entire franchise.
"They are not filming," a source says. "Taylor has some pretty serious stuff happening regarding her past, and they will see what happens. Until that resolves, they are off."
What's Actually Happening
The Draper City Police Department confirmed there is an open domestic assault investigation involving Paul and her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen — the father of her one-year-old son Ever. A department spokesperson confirmed that "allegations have been made in both directions" and that contact was made with both parties on February 24th and 25th. Beyond that, police aren't saying much while the investigation remains active.
This isn't Paul's first run-in with law enforcement involving Mortensen. Back in 2023, she was arrested on alleged domestic violence charges following an argument with him — facing misdemeanor counts of assault, criminal mischief, and commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child after she was accused of throwing a chair that allegedly struck her daughter. Paul later said on Call Her Daddy that those charges "were all dropped."
Reps for Paul, Mortensen, and Hulu did not respond to requests for comment.
Her Costars Are Keeping Their Distance
The production halt isn't the only fallout. Sources say the other women of MomTok are actively stepping back from Paul as the situation develops.
"None of the women want to be associated with her," one source close to the cast said.
That's a significant shift for a show built entirely on the chemistry and relationships between its cast members. Whether that distance holds or mends itself likely depends on how the investigation plays out.
The Timing Couldn't Be More Awkward
The production pause landed just days after Hulu dropped season four — which was already packed with drama. Viewers watched Mikayla Matthews navigate her separation from husband Jace Terry amid ongoing intimacy issues connected to her disclosure of being sexually abused as a teenager. The season ended with the two no longer together romantically, though Matthews posted on Instagram March 13 saying significant context was missing from the edit.
"It's still new to me, and it's new to him, and we're just navigating it the best way that we can," Matthews released this info before the season dropped. "Unfortunately, I think it's just something that's going to take a lot more time."
Heavy stuff for a show that started as a peek into the lives of Mormon moms on TikTok.
And now, right in the middle of all of that, comes word that season 5 is frozen — and the woman at the center of it all is also set to star on "The Bachelorette," premiering this Sunday, March 22, on ABC. A spokesperson for that show didn't respond to comment requests either.
Where Things Stand
Production is stopped. An investigation is open. Paul's castmates are distancing themselves. And she's simultaneously about to debut on a completely separate nationally televised show.
It's a lot happening at once — and until the domestic assault investigation reaches some kind of resolution, season 5 isn't going anywhere.
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