The world is still trying to wrap their head around the shocking video of Taylor Frankie Paul appearing to assault her exDakota Mortensen ... and now Dakota is giving his take on Taylor and the subsequent fallout.
Dakota tells TMZ ... "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, which I categorically deny. I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same."
As we reported ... In 2023, Taylor pled guilty in abeyance to aggravated assault -- a charge which stemmed from the incident captured in our video. She was later placed on 3 years' probation, which ends in August.
More trouble may be coming down the pike for Taylor Frankie Paul ... we're told Utah prosecutors are looking into whether the recent allegations of assaulting ex Dakota Mortensen constitute a violation of her ongoing probation from her separate case in 2023.
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill tells TMZ ... "We have received the police report for the new allegations, and it is our understanding the case is being screened by the Draper City prosecutor. We requested the police report so our prosecutors could evaluate how those new allegations may affect the case for which the defendant is currently on probation."
TMZ first reported that Dakota claimed Taylor got physical with him, allegedly choking him and ripping his necklace from his neck. We've confirmed police were called over the incident, and a report was filed.
While the allegations would be bad for anyone, the implications are even worse for Taylor as she is still on probation until August of this year. She's still serving 3 years of probation from her 2023 case after pleading guilty in abeyance to aggravated assault. The incident was captured in video TMZ posted Thursday.
ABC and Warner Bros. Discovery are in meltdown, as a tidal wave of ripple effects from the cancellation of "The Bachelorette" is already being realized.
Sources with direct knowledge tell us ... the show costs around $2 million an episode to produce, and there's already finger-pointing and, we're told, shouting over who's to blame and who should shoulder the costs.
We're told only one of the episodes -- the one that was supposed to air Sunday night -- is in the can. Three more are in the process of being edited, and the remainder pretty much haven't been touched.
TMZ has obtained the video -- a copy of which was evidence in the case -- and it's hard to watch. Dakota struggles to record the altercation with his cellphone as Taylor puts him in a headlock. She backs off ... but then charges and tries to kick him.
The struggle turns violent as Taylor grabs a metal barstool and hurls it at Dakota. He screams at her -- "your daughter is sitting right there" -- but she persists, throwing 2 more stools at him. At that moment, you hear her child, who was curled up on the couch, begin crying.
The police report says the 5-year-old girl was hit and later had a "goose egg on her head."
Saturday night wasn’t just another "TMZ After Dark" tour ... it turned into a full-blown reality show on wheels!
Ashley G from"Temptation Island" took over the bus and immediately raised the stakes, turning the ride into her own version of Temptation Voyage ... "Who out of you is getting the most lit tonight?!" she challenged couples and groups, setting the tone before the bus even left the curb.
Teamed up with West Hollywood favorite DJ Coach West, the duo had undeniable chemistry ... riffing, hyping the crowd, and keeping the energy sky-high all night long.
Chuck Norris has been hospitalized in Hawaii ... TMZ has learned.
Sources with direct knowledge tell us ... some medical emergency occurred in the last 24 hours on the island of Kauai that landed Chuck in the hospital. We do not know the nature of the emergency; however, we are told Chuck is in good spirits.
Whatever happened must have occurred quickly, because we're told on Wednesday he was training on the island ... a friend of Chuck's was on the phone with him, and we're told Chuck was in good spirits and cracking jokes.
Taylor Frankie Paul's exes look like they had the same idea ... because they bumped into each other at a Utah courthouse ... and we've got the photos.
Check out these pics showing Taylor's ex-husband, Tate Paul, and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen ... they're chatting in the lobby of a courthouse in Northern Utah.
Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... Tate and Dakota showed up to court Tuesday to obtain protective orders against Taylor, days before ABC pulled the plug on Taylor's season of "The Bachelorette."
According to court docs obtained by TMZ ... Dakota filed for a protective order in Utah on Tuesday. In his filing, Dakota details the incidents that he claims went down on February 23 and February 24 of 2026.
Dakota said he was at Taylor's home with Taylor and their son, Ever. He claimed the two had an argument that escalated. He then said she choked him, and he had to physically remove her hands from his neck while she shoved him into a window and struck him.
Longtime Bachelor Nation authority Reality Steve is weighing in on 'Bachelorette' Taylor Frankie Paul's ongoing drama, giving a blunt take ... stay off TV!
We had Reality Steve on "TMZ Live" Thursday as developments were breaking ... and in his opinion, "She needs to not be in front of cameras for a while ... She needs help. I don't think she needs more cameras in her face."
Well, that's happening, Steve! "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" has already halted filming on Season 5 amid fallout from Taylor's legal issues with baby daddy Dakota Mortensen. And this season's 'Bachelorette' has now officially been canceled.
Legendary director David Lynch left behind a massive estate to his four children and substantial gifts for his close friends, TMZ has learned.
According to court docs obtained by TMZ, Sabrina Sutherland -- the trustee of David's family trust -- says David drafted his will and trust in 1994 and last amended it on May 25, 2023. The director died on January 16, 2025 from cardiac arrest, with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as an underlying condition.
David’s assets include his membership in Twin Peaks productions, stock in A2K, and all the copyrights David owned for his various projects ... but that's just the tip of the iceberg.
Over the years, we've seen a variety of Mystikal's mug shots, but one flew under the radar ... and now we've got our hands on it, and we think it's a perfect time to trot it out after the rapper recently pleaded guilty to rape.
Check out this never-before-seen 2010 photo of Mystikal -- real name Michael Tyler -- snapped by the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office in Louisiana. In the pic, Mystikal looks clean-shaven and baby-faced ... unlike his gritty appearance these days.
A rep for the sheriff's office tells us ... Mystikal was convicted of sexual battery of the infirm in June 2003 and incarcerated for several years until his release from prison in January 2010. After leaving prison, Mystikal registered as a lifetime sex offender, but his current status is "inactive" since he's once again incarcerated and not a danger to the community, the rep says.
South Florida coach Bryan Hodgson isn’t just chasing a March Madness upset -- he’s coaching for his dad.
Hodgson got emotional talking to TMZ Sports ahead of No. 11 USF’s first-round matchup with No. 6 Louisville … revealing his father, Larry, is battling dementia -- but is still doing well enough to understand what’s about to happen.
RobbieAvila -- the goggle-wearing big man who went viral as “College Jokic” for his throwback game and elite passing -- isn’t just cooking on the court … he’s racking up an all-time nickname collection.
Before March Madness truly tips off, TMZSports caught up with the Saint Louis star to run through the internet’s best monikers -- and one stood out above the rest: “Cream Abdul-Jabbar.”
“That’s the most creative nickname I’ve ever heard,” Avila said. “It’s hilarious, I love it.”
The specs and old-school style make it hit even harder for the 6-foot-10 sensation who has the Billikens dancing into the NCAA Tournament with a 28-5 record.
"19 Kids and Counting" star Joseph Duggar -- the brother of Josh Duggar -- is looking serious in his newly released mug shot for his arrest for alleged child sex abuse.
TMZ obtained his booking photo from his arrest in Arkansas Wednesday -- he's got no expression on his face -- a stark contrast to his brother's fully smiling 2021 mugshot taken after he was found guilty of receiving and possessing child pornography.
But now Josh is no longer the only Duggar offspring to be booked for child-related crimes ... we told you all about it -- a 14-year-old made authorities aware of "several incidents" with Duggar that she said occurred during a family vacation in Panama City Beach, FL in 2020 when she was 9 years old, according to the Bay County Sheriff's Office.
Investigators say the victim accused Duggar of repeatedly asking her to sit on his lap and sit next to him on a couch. At one point on the couch, he placed a blanket over them and allegedly "manipulated the victim's underwear and grazed her genitals" and rubbed his hand on her thighs.
The girl's father confronted Duggar about these allegations on Tuesday, and according to the Bay County Sheriff's Office, he admitted his actions and was subsequently arrested.
He is charged with lewd and lascivious behavior involving molestation of a victim less than 12 years old and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older.
Duggar starred on TLC's "19 Kids and Counting" from 2008 to 2015. He wed his wife, Kendra, in 2017. They have multiple young children.
More legal issues for "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Kelli Ferrell's ex-husband ... he's been arrested on a theft charge ... and it's a felony.
Kelli's ex, Mark Ferrell, was arrested Tuesday and taken into custody in Georgia on a felony charge of theft by taking ... according to online records.
It looks like the alleged incident happened back in November … but we are still working on the details.
"The Real Housewives of Miami" just hit the brakes HARD ... production on the series has been placed on pause, and its future is anything but locked in ... TMZ has learned.
Sources connected to the series tell us production is not moving forward right now, and there are no concrete plans for a new season. Still, the show hasn't been officially canceled ... leaving the door open for a possible comeback.
We're told Bravo is currently taking a hard look at the franchise, with discussions underway about a potential cast shakeup or full reboot to refresh the series. So far, no timeline has been set for when or if "RHOM" will return ...
