The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives

There was a glitch in the matrix as Taylor Frankie Paul appeared on "Live with Kelly and Mark" ... the new 'Bachelorette' was cut off while referencing the abuse allegations she's facing, but TMZ has learned it's a very bizarre coincidence.

When the show aired live Wednesday morning on the east coast, TFP sat down and Kelly asked, "How are you doing? There's a lot going on with you," and right after Taylor responded, "I've had better days, I will say" ... the audio and video clipped out and came back in the middle of Kelly asking about the Oscars.

Conspiracy theorists might think it was ABC censoring something Taylor said about the controversy, but it's not that deep.

Production on "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" kept viewers in the dark about serious abuse claims involving Taylor Frankie Paul ... TMZ has learned.

Sources connected to the series tell TMZ ... during filming of the Season 3 reunion, Dakota Mortensen accused Taylor of being abusive toward him ..., but we're told that entire exchange was cut and never made it to air.

However, a production source with direct knowledge tells us ... they BOTH hurled allegations of physical outbursts at each other. The volatile exchange was cut for air because the back-and-forth had nothing to do with the season they just shot.

Dakota Mortensen has one focus amid abuse and mental health allegations against his baby mama, Taylor Frankie Paul -- and it ain't her.

The 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' star has broken his silence on the unflattering reports about his ex ... with a rep telling Entertainment Weekly he is solely focused on protecting his and Taylor's 2-year-old, Ever. The rep notes Dakota knew the allegations of domestic abuse may one day come out, and he simply wants to maintain a co-parenting relationship with Taylor.

The rep adds ... "He was just hoping that if he says nothing, as he usually does, it would go away ... He kind of just lets it all happen to him, and I think he realizes with the severity of everything now that he just can't do that."

Taylor Frankie Paul is sidestepping why production on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” came to an abrupt halt, despite the pause coming amid the fallout from an alleged domestic violence incident involving her and Dakota Mortensen.

TFP made an appearance on 'GMA' Wednesday ... and made it clear it's been a "heavy time" lately -- especially during what should be a celebratory moment with "The Bachelorette" set to premiere Sunday.

During the interview, host Lara Spencer presses Taylor to confirm our report about production getting paused ... and Taylor dances around the question, saying she "doesn't call the shots with production," though she admits she's "gotten word" about the halt.

"The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" cast is drawing a firm line with Taylor Frankie Paul -- while still firmly in her corner and pushing for her to get help ... TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... the entire cast believes Taylor isn't in a good place mentally, and they want her to seek help before anything else moves forward with filming. We're told the cast isn't icing her out ... far from it.

Our sources say they're all on her side and rooting for her to work through her issues, but feel production and Hulu haven't done enough to push her in that direction. We're told the cast remains fed up with what they see as production repeatedly sweeping Taylor's alleged abuse issues under the rug.

Dakota Mortensen's been showing friends videos of the alleged incident involving 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' star Taylor Frankie Paul, and the footage is raising serious concerns among the group ... TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell us the alleged abuse between Taylor and Dakota was captured on camera ... and there are multiple videos spanning over a significant period of time.

We’re told the clips allegedly show a series of heated moments between Taylor and Dakota -- some of which have been shared privately among their inner circle -- and include shots of Taylor hitting, punching, biting and grabbing at Dakota.

Taylor Frankie Paul is super comfortable in front of the camera, even when it's snapping a mug shot ... and only TMZ has the never-before-seen police portrait from her 2023 assault case.

The mug shot was snapped after the 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' star's February '23 arrest in Utah for allegedly getting violent with her then-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen ... and the alleged fight played out in front of one of her kids.

As you can see, TFP is staring straight into the camera with her pale blue eyes ... and there's good reason for her to look that shocked, because we've learned she's still dealing with the case.

'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' star Taylor Frankie Paul speed-dialing her baby daddy Dakota Mortensen nearly 150 times in a single night is just part of their toxic routine ... TMZ has learned.

A screenshot of Dakota's call log is going viral, showing all the times Taylor dialed Dakota in one night ... adding up to about 150 calls. That sounds bonkers to most of us, but sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ it's nothing out of the ordinary for these exes.

We're told Dakota actually expects hundreds of calls from TFP every night -- he kinda likes the validation and attention -- but, his past battles with addiction are also at play.

"The Bachelorette" just got a little less sweet ... Cinnabon has cut ties with the hit ABC series, as well as Hulu's "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," amid abuse allegations against Taylor Frankie Paul.

The baked goods company tells TMZ ... "Recent developments and allegations surrounding the lead cast member led us to reassess this collaboration as it no longer aligns with our brand values."

Cinnabon did a joint collaboration with both shows just days ago.

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.

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.

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.

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.