A Timeline of Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen’s Relationship
Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen’s complex romance captured the attention of viewers on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, leaving their relationship status in a state of ambiguity.
They began their relationship prior to the show’s debut on Hulu, marking Dakota as Taylor’s first public boyfriend since her divorce from Tate Paul, triggered by a widely publicized “soft swinging” scandal.
Leading up to the series launch in September 2024, Taylor and Dakota encountered significant challenges, including a domestic violence arrest, yet welcomed their son, Ever, into their growing family. (Taylor is also a mother to Indy and Ocean from her marriage with Tate.)
“I can honestly say I’ve never felt a greater sense of purpose in my life. I am incredibly proud of Taylor; she is such a remarkable woman, and my love for her just keeps deepening,” Dakota shared through Instagram in March 2024. “Her support throughout this journey has been nothing short of amazing, and I feel so lucky to call her the mother of our beautiful boy.”
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Dakota expressed his joy, stating, “I’m absolutely on cloud nine! All I’ve ever wanted was a family and to be a dad. I am profoundly thankful and blessed for what I have.”
Taylor opened up about her concerns regarding how her life is depicted on the show.
“I’m often recognized through headlines like ‘Swinger Mom.’ The arrest incident flooded the internet, which painted a negative portrait of me — I don’t want that to define me,” Taylor exclusively told Us Weekly shortly after the Hulu series aired. “I was eager for the audience to see a more authentic version of my personality. I felt this was my opportunity to present my story and reveal my true self.”
She also indicated a desire for viewers to see Dakota’s nurturing side more clearly.
“Unfortunately, I felt that they only portrayed his defensive side. He feels misunderstood, saying, ‘I look like a bad person when, in reality, that’s just one aspect of me. Yes, I was defensive at times, but that doesn’t define my relationship with you,’” she remarked in September 2024.
Hulu confirmed that the show would return for a second season as Taylor and Dakota navigated their future together. They shared moments of togetherness but also hinted at a possible breakup.
Continue scrolling to revisit the timeline of Taylor and Dakota’s relationship:
May 2022
Taylor publicly disclosed her divorce from Tate through TikTok, stating, “In my twenties, I’m facing a divorce, starting therapy, and living independently for the first time — along with my two little kids.”
In the same month, Taylor also acknowledged her and Tate’s involvement in soft swinging with fellow Mormons.
“It started innocently with drinks and partying; eventually, it escalated to making out and sex in the same room,” Taylor recounted on “The Viall Files” podcast following the show’s premiere.
July 2022
Taylor shared a TikTok post introducing Dakota to her followers with the cheeky caption, “I will not be sharing this one.”
November 2022
The couple confirmed they were expecting their first child together, although Taylor experienced an ectopic pregnancy shortly thereafter.
February 2023
Following a dispute with Dakota, Taylor was arrested on domestic violence charges, leading to serious legal repercussions. She was charged with aggravated assault among other counts and ultimately entered a guilty plea six months later, with a plea agreement reached the following month.
Dakota spoke to the Daily Mail, defending Taylor, stating she wouldn’t harm anyone deliberately. “She’s an exceptional mother who’s been through a challenging period,” he commented.
September 2023
Taylor announced that she and Dakota were anticipating their “rainbow baby.”
March 2024
Post-filming The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Taylor welcomed their son into the world.
“Dakota was an exceptional partner throughout the process; his support was invaluable,” she expressed in a confessional captured after filming wrapped. “I’m on cloud nine, feeling more confident than ever about our future together. I just hope I can place my trust in him completely.”
September 2024
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives premiered with eight episodes, spotlighting Mormon mom influencers involved in a swinging scandal. Alongside Taylor, the series also featured Us‘s introduction to Whitney Leavitt, Jen Affleck, Demi Engemann, Mikayla Matthews, Mayci Neeley, Jessi Ngatikaura, and Layla Taylor.
The first season closely examined Taylor and Dakota’s tumultuous relationship, highlighting issues like infidelity allegations and a heated disagreement when Taylor attended a Chippendales show in Vegas.
“This is not something he wanted to highlight in the show,” Taylor remarked in reference to Dakota’s rumored involvement with someone named Jenna. “Ultimately, time will show how this unfolds. I’ve no qualms about it.”
During the show, Dakota refuted claims of cheating, insisting he remained committed to Taylor. (The season concluded with a cliffhanger involving a call to Jenna, which left viewers in suspense.)
“I couldn’t understand why it became a point of contention,” Taylor admitted. “If he’s innocent, there shouldn’t be anything to hide, but it does trigger my insecurities, which he’s aware of.”
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September 2024
Taylor expressed to Us that she wasn’t rushing toward an engagement with Dakota.
“With this being my second marriage, I feel it’s crucial to take my time. I want to ensure we build a solid foundation of trust before proceeding further,” she elaborated. “While I see that as the ultimate goal, I’m focused on nurturing our relationship right now.”
She also discussed how she and Dakota were mentally preparing to revisit their highs and lows on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.
“I may have been a bit too candid during my conversations with my mom, and Dakota’s quite sensitive, so it might be challenging for him to watch this,” she shared. “Additionally, approaching those topics might trigger unresolved feelings. I hope that we’re in a good place and that not too much negativity resurfaces.”
October 2024
During an exclusive Us cover story, Taylor disclosed that she and Dakota were experiencing difficulties off-camera.
“It’s emotionally challenging for me to relive our ups and downs because these are all genuine feelings, not scripted or dramatized,” she explained. “Watching those moments unfold again is incredibly tough.”
Taylor added that she was uncertain about her relationship with Dakota.
“Right now, I’d say we’re navigating our issues, and it’s unclear what lies ahead for us. We’re neither completely together nor entirely separated. The uncertainty is challenging for me,” she stated. “Coping with this and dealing with the pressures of the show is quite difficult.”
November 2024
Speculation surrounding Taylor and Dakota’s relationship increased when she shared a video of him completing household chores and presenting her with flowers.
“At least he’s making an effort,” she added in the caption. Notably, her co-star Layla humorously commented on the post, stating, “GIRL, I’M TIRED!”
December 2024
Taylor hinted that she may not be in a relationship with Dakota anymore, revealing a holiday card that did not include him. However, observant fans noted her mother posted a version featuring Dakota.
Coparenting with an ex can pose unique challenges, especially during the holiday season. In a December episode of her “Whine Down” podcast, Jana Kramer shared her struggles to finalize Christmas Eve plans with her children.
December 2024
In separate TikTok posts, Taylor and Dakota shared their experiences of not celebrating Christmas as a family.
“From chaos to utter silence. I wouldn’t wish this pain on anyone,” Taylor wrote alongside a video of herself in distress. “For those in similar situations, embrace your feelings; suppressing them only amplifies the hurt.”
Taylor expanded on her situation in the caption, saying, “I was told that overcoming a challenge once makes you stronger for when it arises again. #coparenting #loss #relationships.”
A follower commented about how “Dakota’s TikTok brought” them to Taylor’s account, to which she replied, “I’m glad he gets to spend time with our son.”
Meanwhile, Dakota documented his preparation for the holiday season solo, expressing, “Wrapping presents alone, but I’m sober and here for my son’s first Christmas.” He followed up with another post, stating, “He’s the only gift I’ll ever need in my life. I love being a dad.”
