The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Taylor Frankie Paul has officially become a homeowner following a tumultuous few months.
“Officially a solo home owner and thank you to the best real estate agent in Utah [Liann May, her mother],” Paul, 31, announced via Instagram on Monday, May 18. “I see the sadness through the excitement but I am trying.”
The reality star shared a video montage set to an instrumental version of The Verve’s 1997 hit “Bitter Sweet Symphony,” showing her being presented with the ceremonial key to her new home as confetti fell all around her.
Earlier this month, Paul confirmed that she was in the final stages of purchasing her first residence.
“I just bought my first house on my own,” she shared via her Instagram Stories on Wednesday, May 6. “[I had] been renting for years.”
Becoming a homeowner is a significant accomplishment for Paul following a rough few months where her personal and professional lives were in turmoil.
In March, ABC scrapped plans to air Paul’s season of The Bachelorette three days before its scheduled premiere date amid news that she and ex Dakota Mortensen were both under investigation in Utah for an alleged domestic incident. Production on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season 5 was also paused amid the investigation.
The scandal intensified when bodycam and cellphone footage leaked from a past domestic violence altercation with Mortensen, which led to her 2023 arrest. (Paul pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and was put on probation to resolve that 2023 case.)
Paul’s most recent domestic violence investigation was resolved when the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office declined to file criminal charges against her in April.
Taylor Frankie Paul Shares ‘Gratitude’ After Domestic Dispute With Dakota
“Cried when I got the call 🙏 THANK YOU to those that have stood with me,” Paul wrote via Instagram after news broke they would not be charged.
Mortensen broke his silence over the Salt Lake City DA’s decision by pledging to focus on his and Paul’s son Ever, 2, moving forward.
“Over the past several weeks, I’ve taken a step back and had time away from the chaos. That space has been a breath of fresh air and has given me clarity. My focus now is where it should have been all along-on my son and creating a stable, healthy environment for him moving forward,” he wrote via Instagram on April 20.
Mortensen continued, “I regret not stepping away from the difficult cycle sooner. I’m not perfect, and I take accountability for my part. I’m sincerely sorry to those I’ve hurt. At the same time, I don’t agree with how this situation has been portrayed publicly. It does not reflect the full context of what occurred or the impact it has had on me and my son.”
However, Paul faced yet more legal trouble when she temporarily lost custody of her and Mortensen’s 2-year-old son, Ever. She received supervised visitation with Ever ahead of a June 1 hearing while Paul and Mortensen were both granted protective orders against each other on April 30. (Paul also shares daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5, with her ex-husband, Tate Paul.)
“Today’s hearing was a significant step forward as the court entered protective orders requiring that Taylor’s ex-partner stays far away from her,” Taylor’s attorney, Eric M. Swinyard, told Us about the protective order ruling. “Taylor was incredibly candid with the court that she is not perfect and owned her faults, which is in direct contrast to how the other party presented their argument, despite evidence and input from law enforcement that showed otherwise.”
The attorney went on, “Taylor feels solidarity with the many survivors who have endured similar hardships behind closed doors and shared only part of their stories, and she remains grateful for the outpouring of support she continues to receive. She looks forward to continuing to cooperate with the court to make progress in the custody case.”
Taylor Frankie Paul Addresses ‘Mormon Wives’ Production Pause on ‘GMA’
The exact status of Paul’s season of The Bachelorette remains unknown, though The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives producer Jeff Jenkins confirmed on May 1 that season 5 of the Hulu reality series will resume filming soon.
Asked whether Paul could return for the new episodes, Jenkins, 58, hinted, “I certainly hope [she will film with the other women]. Again, first and foremost, is she healthy of body and mind, then we’ll talk about it.”
If you or someone you know are experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
