Inside the Complicated Relationship of Mormon Wives Taylor and Dakota
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives features Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen, who have been candid about their tumultuous and often messy relationship, especially during their domestic disputes.
Prior to the show’s launch on Hulu in September 2024, Taylor and Dakota began dating after her divorce from Tate Paul, which followed a high-profile “soft swinging” scandal. Their relationship experienced significant highs and lows, particularly after Taylor’s arrest for domestic violence, but they welcomed their son Ever in March 2024.
Taylor hoped the series would shed light on her life beyond the arrest. The reality star, who shares children Indy and Ocean with Tate, later noted her surprise that season 1 didn’t capture Dakota’s more positive side.
“I feel like they didn’t show that side of him,” she told Us Weekly exclusively. “What came across was defensive behavior. So he’s like, ‘I look like this jerk while you’re pregnant — that’s not reflective of how I treated you the entire time. Yes, I defended myself at times, but that’s not who I am with you.’”
Following the show’s success, Taylor and Dakota encountered numerous breakups and reconciliations, with Dakota expressing that the public nature of their issues was particularly challenging.
“I was terrified of how much I cared for Taylor and uncertain about her feelings, which made me hesitant to fully commit, fearing the potential for hurt,” he shared on “The Viall Files” podcast in June 2025. “When I’m all in, I’m all in, but that fear held me back.”
In March 2026, the couple faced more legal troubles when it was reported that Mormon Wives suspended production on season 5 amid a domestic violence incident while filming. A spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department confirmed an ongoing “domestic assault investigation” involving the couple.
The following month, the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office decided not to charge Taylor related to the incident.
“After reviewing reports and evidence from the Draper and West Jordan Police Departments, the District Attorney’s Office has opted not to file charges against Taylor Frankie Paul,” stated district attorney Sim Gill’s office to Us.
Keep reading for Taylor and Dakota’s most revealing quotes about their relationship:
Defending Her Public Image
Dakota Mortensen became Taylor Frankie Paul’s first public boyfriend after her divorce from Tate Paul. Nearly a year into their relationship, Taylor was arrested in February 2023 for domestic violence. She ultimately faced charges for aggravated assault, domestic violence in front of a child, child abuse causing injury, and criminal mischief. Taylor pleaded guilty to aggravated assault six months later, with the other charges dismissed. She reached a plea deal the following month.
Dakota defended Taylor in a Daily Mail interview, stating she would never intentionally hurt anyone, adding, “She’s a wonderful mom and is dealing with a lot right now. It’s been a challenging year for her, filled with guilt over the cheating scandal that ended her marriage.”
He recounted the traumatic night on the “Viall Files” podcast in June 2025: “That night was terrifying. I was in a situation where I truly didn’t know what would happen next. I recorded a video because I felt trapped. It got so intense that I couldn’t leave.”
Dakota claimed Taylor was “definitely intoxicated,” recalling, “As soon as we got home, everything escalated into chaos.”
Documenting Their Journey
Despite public conflicts, Taylor Frankie Paul saw a future with Dakota Mortensen, stating in the first season of Mormon Wives, “Dakota was such a supportive partner during everything.”
She continued: “I’m on cloud nine for the first time, feeling confident about us and our future. I just hope I can trust him.”
At that time, Taylor expressed to Us that she wasn’t in a hurry to get engaged to Dakota.
“I want to take my time; this is my second marriage, and it’s crucial that we build a solid foundation of trust,” she explained. “I think that takes time, and while I’d love for that to be the end goal, I want to focus on establishing that first.”
Revisiting Their Relationship
“It’s incredibly difficult for me to watch those ups and downs because they come from such genuine emotions. None of it is fabricated,” Taylor Frankie Paul revealed to Us in October 2024 after the first season premiered. “It’s hard to see it all play out on screen, and that was one of the toughest parts.”
At that point, Taylor was uncertain about her relationship with Dakota Mortensen.
“I would say we’re working through our issues, but I truly don’t know what the future holds for us. We’re not fully together, yet we’re also not completely broken up. It’s a lot to navigate. I’m managing my feelings but don’t want to watch the series,” she admitted.
Navigating Reality TV in Their Lives
“From a viewer’s perspective, people often don’t realize that having everything exposed is a very different experience than just confiding in someone close to you,” Dakota Mortensen explained during the “Viall Files” podcast in June 2025. “That’s fear in its rawest form—it’s terrifying.”
He added, “When it’s all documented by a show, you lose control. If something is misrepresented, it feels frustrating. I just wanted a private moment with Taylor, a safe space to communicate, but that often isn’t possible.”
Dakota reflected on the early moments of their relationship, saying, “I quickly found myself questioning, ‘What are we?’ I was aware of my growing feelings, but that realization frightened me. I didn’t want to face the potential for emotional pain.”
Breaking the Cycle
After several breakups, Taylor Frankie Paul decided to end things with Dakota Mortensen to participate in season 22 of The Bachelorette.
“It was challenging because I am a part of the issue—it’s not solely his fault. It takes two to make it work. We were stagnant,” she shared with Us in March 2026. “We would have good moments followed by fights. It’s tough to explain to others, and unless they’ve experienced it, it’s hard to grasp. Trust me, if I could resolve it easily, I would. It’s more complex than it seems.”
When questioned about their relationship status, Taylor reflected, “Honestly, it feels like I’m stuck in a cycle I can’t escape. It’s been challenging to break free from it.”
Taylor also admitted she was unsure how to label their relationship at the time.
“I find myself asking that question constantly: where do we stand? I really don’t know,” she told Us in an interview just days before the February 2026 incident. “Ask me again tomorrow.”
