A timeline of the rise of ‘Mormon Wives’ and Taylor Frankie Paul’s domestic violence investigations

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After accusations surfaced regarding three alleged domestic violence incidents involving reality TV personality Taylor Frankie Paul, many are questioning the future of the “MomTok” community.

Paul, known for starting MomTok – an online community of TikTok creators sharing their experiences as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – previously admitted guilt to a serious assault charge following a 2023 altercation with their ex-partner, Dakota Mortensen. The guilty plea was made with the understanding that the charge might be dropped if certain conditions were met.

The popular TikTok community known as MomTok led to the Hulu reality show “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.” The show follows eight women in Salt Lake City as they navigate their complex relationships with the Mormon church. The first season focused on the aftermath of a scandal involving the group exploring “soft swinging,” which was revealed on TikTok by Paul before the show began filming.

Voices

Commentary: ABC thought Taylor Frankie Paul would amp ‘Bachelorette’ ratings. It was playing with fire

Reality TV often creates drama, but ‘The Bachelorette’ really took a risk by featuring Taylor Frankie Paul. It’s no surprise things eventually went wrong.

Throughout its four seasons, “Mormon Wives” has featured lighthearted content like the moms’ love of the soda shop Swig and more weighty topics, including gender roles within the Mormon church. “Mormon Wives” has also crossed over with various Disney reality shows, including “Dancing With the Stars,” “The Bachelorette” and “Vanderpump Villa.”

Filming for Season 5 of “Mormon Wives” was stopped, and Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette” was cancelled after accusations of domestic abuse surfaced. A second investigation, starting in late February, received more scrutiny when a video from a 2023 incident with his partner, Mortensen, was released. The video showed Paul physically assaulting Mortensen, including putting her in a headlock and throwing metal barstools during an argument. Police reports state Paul’s daughter was injured and heard crying during the altercation.

2020: The birth of MomTok

Paul, Whitney Leavitt, Mayci Neeley, and Mikayla Matthews started creating videos together on TikTok. They share content about being mothers, their faith, and fun, lighthearted skits and dances.

May 2022: The Pauls split

Paul shared a TikTok video revealing she is divorcing her husband, Tate Paul, and people are now wondering what caused the split.

May 25, 2022: ’Soft swinging’ scandal emerges

Paul revealed on a TikTok Live stream that she and her husband were in an open relationship and part of a casual swinging group with other “MomTok” creators. She explained that she broke the group’s rules by meeting with someone without her husband knowing, and this ultimately played a role in their divorce.

Television

Paul’s temporary removal from the show highlights a growing pattern of controversy surrounding the ABC reality dating franchise, known for its romantic storylines.

Feb. 17, 2023: Paul is arrested

Hulu has started filming the first season of “Mormon Wives,” but production is currently paused due to a legal issue. Paul, one of the cast members, was arrested following an altercation with Mortensen and is facing charges of assault, property damage, and domestic violence in front of a child, according to the Herriman Police Department. The investigation is ongoing.

August 2023: Paul enters a plea deal

Paul has pleaded no contest to a third-degree felony charge of aggravated assault. If Paul follows the terms of the plea agreement for three years, the charges may be reduced.

March 19, 2024: Paul and Mortensen welcome a son

Paul and Mortensen are the parents of a son named Ever. Although they were a couple during Paul’s pregnancy, they decided to separate and share parenting responsibilities.

Sept. 6, 2024: ‘Mormon Wives’ debuts

Hulu has released the first season of “Mormon Wives,” which follows Jen Affleck, Jessi Draper, Demi Engemann, and Layla Taylor, along with returning cast members Leavitt, Neeley, Matthews, and Paul, originally known from MomTok. The first episode, titled “The First Book of Taylor,” details the aftermath of a scandal involving swinging and concludes with Paul’s arrest in 2023. The second episode jumps ahead almost a year after that event.

The show got off to a fantastic start on Hulu, becoming their most-watched unscripted premiere of the year so far. Because of its popularity, it’s been renewed for another season just one month after it first aired.

October 2024: On again

Mortensen and Paul seemingly reconcile their relationship.

December 2025: Off again

Paul and Mortensen have ended their relationship. Paul shared her heartbreak on TikTok around Christmas, saying she wouldn’t want anyone to go through the same pain.

May 15, 2025: Season 2 premieres

Season 2 of “Mormon Wives” is released. Miranda Hope joins the cast.

Sept. 10, 2025: Paul gets her roses

I was totally shocked listening to the latest “Call Her Daddy”! Alex Cooper had Paul on, and she announced she’s going to be the next Bachelorette! What’s really cool is that she’s the first person to ever be the Bachelorette without first being on “The Bachelor.” It’s a completely new approach to the show, and I’m so excited to see how it plays out!

Fall 2025: Mortensen‘s mea culpa

Before starting filming for “The Bachelorette,” Mortensen FaceTimed Paul to apologize for how he’d been acting and jokingly asked him to “save a rose for me.” This conversation aired on the show’s fourth season in March 2026.

Television

I was so excited to see this reality star join the new dating show! It seemed like everything was set, but then someone from ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ tried to get involved and messed things up. Now I’m really wondering what’s going to happen next – will the show still go on with her?

Nov. 13, 2025: Season 3 debuts

”Mormon Wives” Season 3 premieres.

Feb. 24-25, 2026: A second investigation opens

Draper City Police contacted Paul and Mortensen about an ongoing investigation into reported domestic assault, as both individuals had accused the other of abuse.

March 12, 2026: Season 4 drops

Season 4 of “Mormon Wives” is released.

March 16, 2026: ‘Mormon Wives’ filming halts

Production on Season 5 of “Mormon Wives” has been temporarily halted due to the recent public attention surrounding a new investigation involving Paul and Mortensen.

March 19, 2026: Footage is released from 2023

TMZ released a new video from February 2023 showing the fight between Mortensen and Paul. The video captures Paul throwing barstools while Mortensen’s young daughter, who was five at the time, cries. Following the release, ABC canceled Paul’s upcoming season of “The Bachelorette.”

March 20, 2026: The court intervenes

According to documents obtained by People magazine, Mortensen has been given temporary custody of his 2-year-old son, Ever, whom he shares with Paul.

March 24, 2026: A third investigation opens

Police in West Jordan, Utah are investigating a third reported incident of domestic abuse involving Paul and Mortensen, which happened sometime between early and mid-2024. The investigation is still active, and no charges have been filed yet.

Paul is not allowed to visit until the court hearing on April 7th. At that hearing, the court will decide if a long-term protective order is put in place.

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2026-03-30 13:31