\n\t\t\t
\n Related: <\/span>Mormon Wives’ Mikayla Reacts to MomTok’s ‘Week Straight From Hell’<\/span><\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\t\t\tThe Secret Lives of Mormon Wives\u2019 Mikayla Matthews is sharing her reaction to MomTok\u2019s drama-filled week. The stars of the hit Hulu reality show have scarcely been out of the headlines in the past week. To recap: First, there was the alleged domestic violence incident involving Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen that put a [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Taking a Pause<\/b><\/h2>\n
On March 16, 2026, multiple outlets reported that The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives<\/i> season 5 had paused production<\/span><\/a> after star Taylor Frankie Paul<\/b> and ex Dakota Mortensen<\/b> were involved in an alleged domestic violence dispute weeks earlier in Utah. A spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department confirmed to Us Weekly <\/i>that there is an open \u201cdomestic assault investigation\u201d involving the former couple, adding that \u201callegations have been made in both directions\u201d after an alleged February 2026 incident.<\/p>\nShortly after news broke of Taylor and Dakota\u2019s open police investigation, their Mormon Wives <\/i>costars reportedly met with Hulu and Disney executives<\/span><\/a> to discuss a potential break from filming.<\/p>\n\u201cIt\u2019s a dangerous situation, it\u2019s a sad situation, and we don\u2019t know how to navigate it because Taylor is our friend,\u201d one cast member said during the 30-minute call, per NBC News, which obtained audio from the meeting.<\/p>\n
Mikayla Matthews<\/b> later confirmed the group decision on Instagram Stories, noting, \u201cIt was a decision that all of us girls came up with and agreed on. We didn\u2019t feel comfortable filming with everything that was happening.\u201d<\/p>\n
A source exclusively told Us Weekly<\/i><\/span><\/a> that Taylor\u2019s costars were \u201cterrified\u201d to film with her amid the investigation.<\/p>\n\u201cThe women have made it clear they don\u2019t want to be around her because they see her as a major liability,\u201d the insider added, claiming the group \u201cbelieved Taylor was in a better place\u201d after she filmed The Bachelorette<\/i>.<\/p>\n
Taylor had been named the season 22 lead of The Bachelorette<\/i>, which began filming several months later. She returned home in December 2025, just two months before her alleged altercation with Dakota.<\/p>\n\n![\"Mormon-Wives-Cast-inline-179291_0573R\"](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Mormon-Wives-Cast-inline-179291_0573R.jpg?w=1000&quality=70&strip=all\")
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\n Mayci, Layla, Miranda and Taylor in \u2018Mormon Wives\u2019 season 4.<\/span> Disney\/Fred Hayes<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nTaylor Speaks Out \u2014 Then Everything Spiraled<\/b><\/h2>\n
Taylor Frankie Paul broke her silence on the police incident<\/span><\/a> while speaking with Us Weekly<\/i> at a NYC press dinner on March 17, 2026.<\/p>\n\u201cThere\u2019s more to the context to everything and it\u2019s unfortunate,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s 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. I believe that I am a good mother and I have always treated my kids very well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Days later, Taylor went on Good Morning America<\/i>, <\/i>where she addressed the Mormon Wives <\/i>production pause and claimed she didn\u2019t have control over the decision.<\/p>\n
Then, on March 19, 2026, TMZ released footage from a previous 2023 altercation<\/span><\/a> \u2014 the one discussed in the very first episode of Mormon Wives<\/i> \u2014 in which Taylor could be seen physically assaulting and throwing multiple chairs at Dakota Mortensen while her daughter, Indy, is heard crying in the background. (Taylor shares Inday and Ocean with ex-husband Tate Paul, <\/b>as well as son Ever with Dakota.)<\/p>\nAfter the 2023 physical altercation, Taylor was arrested and charged with aggregated assault, domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse with injury and criminal mischief. She subsequently pleaded guilty to aggregated assault in exchange for the dismissal of the remaining charges. She is currently on probation, which is set to expire in August 2026.<\/p>\n
Hours after the footage dropped, ABC pulled The Bachelorette<\/i> season 22<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cIn light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time\u201d a Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson told Us<\/i>. \u201cOur focus is on supporting the family.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dakota subsequently filed for a temporary protective order against Taylor and requested custody of their son, both of which were granted March 20, 2026. A hearing is scheduled for early April 2026.<\/p>\n
A Third Investigation Surfaces<\/b><\/h2>\n
NBC News reported on March 25, 2025 that Utah\u2019s West Jordan Police Department were looking into claims<\/span><\/a> made against Taylor Frankie Paul by Dakota Mortensen following an alleged domestic dispute in 2024. Dakota contacted the department in February 2026.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n![\"'Mormon](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/TCDSELI_HY037.jpg?w=400&h=225&crop=1&quality=40&strip=all\")
<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n
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\n Related: <\/span>‘Mormon Wives’ Cast Reacts to ABC Canceling Taylor’s ‘Bachelorette’ Season<\/span><\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\t\t\tMembers of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives cast are reacting to the news that ABC has canceled Taylor Frankie Paul\u2018s season of The Bachelorette. The network announced on Thursday, March 19, that they are not moving forward with Taylor\u2019s season amid allegations that she was involved in a domestic violence dispute with ex Dakota [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Where the Cast Stands Now<\/b><\/h2>\n
Miranda McWhorter<\/b> and Layla Taylor<\/b> both spoke out in the wake of the latest alleged altercation, condemning domestic violence on March 20, 2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything has been really heavy to see,\u201d Miranda wrote via her Instagram Stories. \u201cDomestic violence and abuse of any kind is something I take very seriously. As a human, and especially a mother, I cannot support that kind of behavior.\u201d<\/p>\n
Layla, for her part, noted in a separate statement, \u201cMy personal history as a survivor makes it impossible for me to stay silent.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the cast\u2019s firm condemnation against domestic violence, they haven\u2019t completely iced Taylor out.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\u201cA lot of the girls have texted her to make sure she is OK. People are concerned about her mental health,\u201d a source told Us<\/i>, adding that Taylor \u201chasn\u2019t been responding and is a mess.\u201d<\/p>\n
As for the future of the show, a second insider told Us,<\/i> \u201cThe girls know they can continue <\/span><\/a>without Taylor and want to keep going.\u201d<\/p>\nThe second source added, \u201cThis has brought them closer in a way, and they all have been leaning on each other, checking in. They want to make it work and finish out season 5 on a high note.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jessi and Jordan\u2019s Divorce Bombshell<\/b><\/h2>\n
The rest of the cast has its own drama, too. Jordan Ngatikaura <\/b>filed for divorce<\/span><\/a> from Jessi Draper <\/b>on March 19, 2026, after five years of marriage and just hours after the footage from Taylor Frankie Paul\u2019s 2023 arrest made headlines.<\/p>\n
Shortly after news broke of Taylor and Dakota\u2019s open police investigation, their Mormon Wives <\/i>costars reportedly met with Hulu and Disney executives<\/span><\/a> to discuss a potential break from filming.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a dangerous situation, it\u2019s a sad situation, and we don\u2019t know how to navigate it because Taylor is our friend,\u201d one cast member said during the 30-minute call, per NBC News, which obtained audio from the meeting.<\/p>\n Mikayla Matthews<\/b> later confirmed the group decision on Instagram Stories, noting, \u201cIt was a decision that all of us girls came up with and agreed on. We didn\u2019t feel comfortable filming with everything that was happening.\u201d<\/p>\n A source exclusively told Us Weekly<\/i><\/span><\/a> that Taylor\u2019s costars were \u201cterrified\u201d to film with her amid the investigation.<\/p>\n \u201cThe women have made it clear they don\u2019t want to be around her because they see her as a major liability,\u201d the insider added, claiming the group \u201cbelieved Taylor was in a better place\u201d after she filmed The Bachelorette<\/i>.<\/p>\n Taylor had been named the season 22 lead of The Bachelorette<\/i>, which began filming several months later. She returned home in December 2025, just two months before her alleged altercation with Dakota.<\/p>\n Taylor Frankie Paul broke her silence on the police incident<\/span><\/a> while speaking with Us Weekly<\/i> at a NYC press dinner on March 17, 2026.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s more to the context to everything and it\u2019s unfortunate,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s 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. I believe that I am a good mother and I have always treated my kids very well.\u201d<\/p>\n Days later, Taylor went on Good Morning America<\/i>, <\/i>where she addressed the Mormon Wives <\/i>production pause and claimed she didn\u2019t have control over the decision.<\/p>\n Then, on March 19, 2026, TMZ released footage from a previous 2023 altercation<\/span><\/a> \u2014 the one discussed in the very first episode of Mormon Wives<\/i> \u2014 in which Taylor could be seen physically assaulting and throwing multiple chairs at Dakota Mortensen while her daughter, Indy, is heard crying in the background. (Taylor shares Inday and Ocean with ex-husband Tate Paul, <\/b>as well as son Ever with Dakota.)<\/p>\n After the 2023 physical altercation, Taylor was arrested and charged with aggregated assault, domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse with injury and criminal mischief. She subsequently pleaded guilty to aggregated assault in exchange for the dismissal of the remaining charges. She is currently on probation, which is set to expire in August 2026.<\/p>\n Hours after the footage dropped, ABC pulled The Bachelorette<\/i> season 22<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIn light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time\u201d a Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson told Us<\/i>. \u201cOur focus is on supporting the family.\u201d<\/p>\n Dakota subsequently filed for a temporary protective order against Taylor and requested custody of their son, both of which were granted March 20, 2026. A hearing is scheduled for early April 2026.<\/p>\n NBC News reported on March 25, 2025 that Utah\u2019s West Jordan Police Department were looking into claims<\/span><\/a> made against Taylor Frankie Paul by Dakota Mortensen following an alleged domestic dispute in 2024. Dakota contacted the department in February 2026.<\/p>\n \t\t<\/a><\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMembers of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives cast are reacting to the news that ABC has canceled Taylor Frankie Paul\u2018s season of The Bachelorette. The network announced on Thursday, March 19, that they are not moving forward with Taylor\u2019s season amid allegations that she was involved in a domestic violence dispute with ex Dakota [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Miranda McWhorter<\/b> and Layla Taylor<\/b> both spoke out in the wake of the latest alleged altercation, condemning domestic violence on March 20, 2026.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything has been really heavy to see,\u201d Miranda wrote via her Instagram Stories. \u201cDomestic violence and abuse of any kind is something I take very seriously. As a human, and especially a mother, I cannot support that kind of behavior.\u201d<\/p>\n Layla, for her part, noted in a separate statement, \u201cMy personal history as a survivor makes it impossible for me to stay silent.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite the cast\u2019s firm condemnation against domestic violence, they haven\u2019t completely iced Taylor out.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n \u201cA lot of the girls have texted her to make sure she is OK. People are concerned about her mental health,\u201d a source told Us<\/i>, adding that Taylor \u201chasn\u2019t been responding and is a mess.\u201d<\/p>\n As for the future of the show, a second insider told Us,<\/i> \u201cThe girls know they can continue <\/span><\/a>without Taylor and want to keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n The second source added, \u201cThis has brought them closer in a way, and they all have been leaning on each other, checking in. They want to make it work and finish out season 5 on a high note.\u201d<\/p>\n The rest of the cast has its own drama, too. Jordan Ngatikaura <\/b>filed for divorce<\/span><\/a> from Jessi Draper <\/b>on March 19, 2026, after five years of marriage and just hours after the footage from Taylor Frankie Paul\u2019s 2023 arrest made headlines.<\/p>\n<\/div>
\n Mayci, Layla, Miranda and Taylor in \u2018Mormon Wives\u2019 season 4.<\/span> Disney\/Fred Hayes<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nTaylor Speaks Out \u2014 Then Everything Spiraled<\/b><\/h2>\n
A Third Investigation Surfaces<\/b><\/h2>\n
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\n Related: <\/span>‘Mormon Wives’ Cast Reacts to ABC Canceling Taylor’s ‘Bachelorette’ Season<\/span><\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\nWhere the Cast Stands Now<\/b><\/h2>\n
Jessi and Jordan\u2019s Divorce Bombshell<\/b><\/h2>\n
![\"Mormon-Wives-Cast-Livid-With-Taylor-Over-Production-Pause-feature-178781_0987R\"](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Mormon-Wives-Cast-Livid-With-Taylor-Over-Production-Pause-feature-178781_0987R.jpg?crop=0px%2C63px%2C2000px%2C1130px&resize=400%2C225&quality=40&strip=all\")
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