Reality TV

Taylor Frankie Paul's recent alleged domestic violence incident is causing quite a commotion in both her professional and personal lives ... but we've learned it's not her first brush with the law.

ICYMI, "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" halted production after TFP's ex, Dakota Mortensen, accused her of child and spousal abuse.

But it looks like the 'Bachelorette' star's history of legal trouble goes back years ... and we're breaking down the timeline for you.

In 2022, Taylor announced in a TikTok Live that she and her husband of six years -- Tate Paul -- were getting divorced.

She explained their "soft-swinging" arrangement fell apart after she admittedly crossed a line ... resulting in their separation and a massive social media scandal.

Taylor and Tate got married in 2016 and had two kids together -- Indy and Ocean.

The following February, Taylor was booked for assault and domestic violence after an altercation with Dakota ... and we obtained the video.

You can see Taylor's then-boyfriend was trying to leave after an argument when she started hitting him.

Footage shows her kicking him, putting him in a chokehold and throwing heavy metal stools at him. You can also see TFP's 5-year-old daughter was on the couch when she started throwing chairs.

According to The Salt Lake Tribune, a detective was told Taylor's daughter had a "goose-egg" on her head because one of the stools had hit her.

At the time, Utah's Herriman City Police Department posted on X that she was initially brought in on misdemeanor charges ... but the case was referred "for screening of felony assault charges" after the video was submitted as evidence.

Court docs also say Taylor was still hitting her boyfriend when the cops showed up, and he apparently told them he was "scared for his life" and had scratches on his hands and neck.

The 'Mormon Wives' star was ultimately charged with three felonies -- one count of aggravated assault and two of domestic violence in the presence of a child. She was also hit with one misdemeanor count each of child abuse and criminal mischief.

In August, The Salt Lake Tribune reported Taylor had entered a plea in abeyance for the aggravated assault charge -- meaning it would be downgraded to a misdemeanor in three years if she kept her nose clean -- while the other four charges were dismissed with prejudice.

While they had an on-again, off-again relationship throughout the years, Taylor and Dakota welcomed a child together -- Ever -- in 2024.

But -- as TMZ previously reported -- by 2025, they were battling over custody.

According to online records, Dakota went to court in June to fight for custody and support ... while Taylor filed both a response and counterclaim a few weeks later.

Around September, a proposed order was filed regarding custody, support, and parenting time. And in December, documents were filed about Dakota's income.

As we previously reported, sources told TMZ that Dakota has called the Utah Division of Child and Family Services several times, accusing Taylor of being physically abusive to Ever.

Taylor is denying the allegations, but sources close to 'SLOMW' production are backing Dakota up ... saying she recently got physical during an argument at his place.

Sources tell TMZ that TFP allegedly choked Dakota and ripped his necklace off in front of Ever. They say the fighting continued into the next night, when she threw his phone at the wall.

TMZ also reported that the exes got into another fight three weeks ago ... this time while Dakota was driving his car.

We're told a spilled drink caused Dakota to explode. Sources close to Taylor say he was so mad that he got physical with her ... but we were also informed that Dakota's saying Taylor was the one who got violent.

These altercations are apparently so bad that DCFS has reportedly ordered both Taylor and Dakota to undergo psych evaluations.

In March, Dakota filed for a temporary protective order against Taylor -- coincidentally at the same time her ex-husband was doing the same.

He also requested temporary custody of Ever ... which was granted.

The men competing for Taylor Frankie Paul's love on "The Bachelorette" say they were blindsided by the abuse allegations against the reality star ... TMZ has learned.

TMZ spoke with multiple contestants who said they were caught off guard by the allegations because their experience with Taylor was completely different. They all described her as kind, genuine, and well-intentioned -- saying they saw a softer, more authentic side of her during filming that doesn’t match the accusations.

While they acknowledge the allegations are troubling, the contestants believe there are misconceptions about her and say she came on the show with a pure heart, trying to do the right thing for herself.

The top brass at "The Bachelorette" didn't see it coming ... but according to one well-placed source, they're guilty of willful blindness.

A source connected to the show with direct knowledge tells TMZ ... the latest crop of producers on the ABC show wanted Taylor Frankie Paul from "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" in a bad, bad way. They felt she could bring in a wider audience because her reality show was such a hit, and that's why our source says they "cut corners" in the vetting process.

TMZ broke the story ... Taylor and her baby daddy, Dakota Mortensen, have both been ordered to undergo a psych evaluation after allegations of physical violence.

'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' star Jessi Ngatikaura is weighing in on the ongoing drama surrounding Taylor Frankie Paul ... shutting down one floating theory about tension on set.

As you know ... production for the reality show has been shut down after an alleged domestic violence incident involving Taylor and her baby daddy, Dakota Mortensen -- both have been ordered to undergo psychological evaluations.

The situation has social media buzzing ... with fans and commentators floating their own theories about what’s really going on behind the scenes.

"Love Island USA" star Huda Mustafa is catching some serious heat from her boyfriend's baby mom, who recently filed a restraining order against the reality star ... and that baby mama is now speaking out to share her side of the events leading up to the legal action.

Nicole Olivera -- the mother of Louis Russell's child -- tells TMZ the situation escalated back on February 21 around 1:30 AM … when she claims Huda showed up uninvited to her home.

According to Nicole, Huda allegedly took an Uber to Nicole's L.A. apartment, where she lives with her son, and trespassed by forcing her way into the building ... which Nicole says was captured on surveillance video. She insists she never gave Huda access, either verbally or physically.

Candiace Dillard Bassett’s got Wendy Osefo on her mind ... and she’s sending prayers as her 'Real Housewives of Potomac' costar stares down a serious legal mess with husband Eddie.

We caught Candiace in NYC Monday, and she kept it classy, saying she’s hoping for the best as Wendy and Eddie deal with the fallout.

Watch the clip -- Candace makes it clear she’s worried, especially for their kids, and just wants the family to come out okay on the other side.

Taylor Frankie Paul is sharing custody of her son with baby daddy Dakota Mortensen amid an investigation into claims of child and spousal abuse ... TMZ has learned.

Sources connected to the situation tell TMZ ... the 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' stars have not seen or spoken to one another in three weeks, ever since a heated argument that allegedly turned physical and resulted in Dakota calling police.

Taylor and Dakota have a son, Ever, who turns 2 this week, and we're told they are sharing custody as the Utah Division of Child and Family Services conducts an investigation. It's unclear which parent -- or both -- are being investigated.

Lauryn "Pumpkin" Efrid is bringing her claws out for the sake of her family as she slams her late sister Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell's ex-husband for allegedly keeping their daughter away from the family.

Pumpkin hammered Michael in a post to social media Sunday night ... saying he hasn't allowed her or her famous family to see Kylee Cardwell for 2 years. Michael welcomed Kylee with Chickadee in 2015, and they split 2 years later.

Michael got full custody of Kylee when Chickadee passed from cancer in 2023, while Mama June Shannon was awarded custody of Chickadee's older daughter, Kaitlyn. Michael had also attempted to get custody and visitation of his stepdaughter.

Taylor Frankie Paul's baby daddy, Dakota Mortensen, has a much different view of what went down between them 3 weeks ago, and believes he's the real victim ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" production tell TMZ ... Dakota and Taylor were spending time together at his place when they started fighting about Dakota's romantic past -- namely his hookup with cast member Shinia Powell.

We're told it got physical as Taylor allegedly choked Dakota and ripped his necklace off, and grabbed his throat and face ... and this happened with their son, Ever, in the room.

Huda Mustafa is caught up in some serious drama with boyfriend Louis Russell’s ex getting a restraining order against her ... but judging by these steamy gym pics, they clearly aren't letting the situation kill the vibe.

Check it out -- just a day before TMZ broke the allegations, the "Love Island USA" star posted some spicy workout snaps Sunday ... including one where Louis grabbed a handful of her booty as the two posed for mirror selfies.

There were weights sitting right in front of them, waiting to be used ... but it looks like the couple took a quick break between reps for the steamy photo sesh.

"The Real Housewives of Pretoria" star Melany Viljoen was cuffed in her bathrobe after allegedly shoplifting from a Florida supermarket ... and it's all captured on new body cam footage.

ICYMI ... Melany and her husband Petrus "Peet" Viljoen were booked last Wednesday after Boca Raton police say the couple stole more than $5K worth of groceries from a local Publix.

In the body cam footage -- obtained by Page Six -- of their arrests, you can see Melany answer the door of their home and get handcuffed ... while wearing only a bathrobe.

Production on "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" has been put on ice after allegations of child and spousal abuse, and we've learned it's gotten so crazy Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen have been ordered to get psych evaluations.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Dakota has called the Utah Division of Child and Family Services more than a few times, alleging Taylor has been physically abusive to their son Ever, who turns 2 this week. Our sources say Taylor denies the allegation, and Dakota has become frustrated that no action has been taken.

Things came to a head late last month, when Taylor and Dakota were driving in his car and got in a heated argument. We're told a drink was spilled on the seat and on Dakota, and he became enraged. Sources connected to Taylor say he got physical with her. We're told Dakota called the police and said Taylor was the one who got physical.

Our Taylor sources say Dakota went MIA for nearly 3 weeks after the car incident, and that's why production stopped. He has an important part in the show, and producers wanted to wait until he resurfaced. Sources connected to the show tell us a different story ... that cast members refused to continue filming -- despite producers wanting to keep filming -- because of the child and spousal abuse allegations.

Taylor Frankie Paul's reality show in Utah is on ice amid allegations of child and spousal abuse ... but her turn as the next 'Bachelorette' is still full steam ahead.

"The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" star is embroiled in a messy war of words and allegations in Utah with her ex and baby daddy, Dakota Mortensen ... but a pause in production on that show appears to have no effect on her other show, "The Bachelorette."

Taylor stars in the 22nd season of the ABC reality dating competition .... and she's reportedly in New York City promoting the show ahead of a premiere this weekend in Los Angeles.

Big drama for Huda Mustafa ... her boyfriend Louis Russell's ex-girlfriend is seeking court-ordered protection from the "Love Island" star, alleging Huda threatened to kill herself and tried to break into her home.

Nicole Olivera beelined it to court Thursday and filed for a restraining order against Huda, who she claims threatened her and Louis' baby boy and broke into their Los Angeles building.

In the docs, obtained by TMZ, Nicole claims Huda swore on her daughter's life she was going to kill herself and then made a bunch of "terrifying" and "extremely mentally unstable" threats against herself, her daughter, and Nicole's son before showing up to Nicole's home and breaking into the building.

Jenelle Evans' mother, Barbara, seems like she's ready to fight tooth and nail to regain custody of her grandson, Jace ... despite a judge denying her request for emergency custody.

According to docs -- obtained by TMZ -- Barbara beelined it to court on Friday ... filing a motion seeking full custody of the 16-year-old, who is currently in a mental health treatment facility.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... the motion was filed behind Jenelle's back ... and it was quickly denied.

Grace Lilly's latest arrest last week apparently didn't come out of nowhere ... it seems to have been triggered by new lab results tied to her previous run-in with cops, TMZ has learned.

According to an incident report, obtained by TMZ, cops say they tested the pills police found in the "Southern Hospitality" star's purse during her December arrest in Charleston, SC. Authorities say the lab results showed the 12 white pills contained clonazepam -- which is often sold under the brand name Klonopin -- a controlled substance commonly prescribed for anxiety and seizure disorders.

It's illegal to possess the medication without a valid prescription ... and the report says an officer drafted an affidavit and a judge signed a warrant, which appears to be what ultimately led to Grace's arrest on March 10.