Taylor Frankie Paul has resurfaced in Utah following news that her season of The Bachelorette was scrubbed by ABC.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star, 31, was spotted for the first time since the bombshell announcement, per new photos obtained by Daily Mail published on Friday, March 20. Taylor was seen on the phone in her white SUV outside of her nearly $700k five-bedroom home.
Taylor was clad in dark oversized sunglasses and a green sweatshirt. Prior to her sighting, she had been in New York promoting her now-canceled debut as lead of the hit dating show.
ABC’s decision to pull the entire season came after it was revealed that Taylor and her on-again, off-again boyfriend Dakota Mortensen are involved in an ongoing domestic violence investigation stemming from an incident in February. The Draper Police Department in Utah said “that allegations have been made in both directions.”
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In another shocking turn of events on Friday, Dakota, 33, was granted a temporary restraining order against his ex and temporary custody of their 2-year-old son, Ever. Us Weekly reached out to Taylor for comment.
A hearing has been scheduled for April 7.
Dakota had filed the court docs on Thursday, March 19, shortly after footage surfaced of Taylor throwing a stool at him while her daughter — the eldest of her two kids with ex-husband Tate Paul — was present during an altercation in 2023. (She was previously arrested for the incident and later pleaded guilty to aggravated assault.)
Taylor is currently on 3-year probation, which is set to end in August 2026.
“Even if there ultimately isn’t enough to formally charge her in the most recent case, the prosecutor could still treat it as a probation violation — potentially moving to revoke her prior deal and seek custody time,” criminal defense attorney R.J. Dreiling, who is not handling the case, exclusively told Us on Thursday.
In response to the domestic violence allegations, Taylor exclusively told Us “there’s more to the context to everything and it’s unfortunate” during an appearance at a New York City press dinner on Tuesday, March 17. “It’s been hard. And it sucks to be in this position.”
“And the mother that I am, that is something I will always stand my ground on,” she added. “I believe that I am a good mother and I have always treated my kids very well. So the headlines that are out right now are very hard to see because that’s not the truth of it.”
Taylor also spoke out after the cancellation of her Bachelorette season. A spokesperson for the star told Us on her behalf, “After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm.”
Dakota Mortensen Granted Protective Order Against Taylor Frankie Paul
Her rep added, “There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives. Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation, and public shaming. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support and preparing to own and share her story.”
In his own statement, Dakota told Us, “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.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
