Amid allegations of three incidents of domestic violence involving reality TV star Taylor Frankie Paul, fans are worried about whether MomTok will be able to survive this.
Paul, who gained an online following after founding MomTok, a group of loosely connected TikTokers who created content about their lives as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, previously pleaded guilty, on hold, to a third-degree felony count of aggravated assault following a fight with ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen in 2023.
MomTok inspired the Hulu reality show “The Secret Life of Mormon Wives,” which follows eight Salt Lake City women struggling with their relationship with the church. The first season explored the fallout from the group's “soft rocking” scandal, which Paul exposed on TikTok before filming.
Throughout its four seasons, “Mormon Wives” has featured light-hearted content like moms' love of the Swig soda shop and bigger themes, including gender roles within the Mormon church. “Mormon Wives” has also crossed over with several Disney reality shows, including “Dancing With the Stars,” “The Bachelorette” and “Vanderpump Villa.”
However, filming on the fifth season of “Mormon Wives” was halted and Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette” was shelved in the wake of domestic abuse allegations. A second investigation, which began in late February, attracted even more attention when video of Paul's domestic dispute with Mortensen in 2023 became public. The footage showed Paul putting Mortensen in a headlock and throwing metal stools as the couple fought. Paul's daughter can be heard crying and was injured during the incident, according to the police report.
2020: The birth of MomTok
Paul, Whitney Leavitt, Mayci Neeley and Mikayla Matthews start making videos together on TikTok. Its content focuses on motherhood and its relationship with the church mixed with dances and sketches.
May 2022: The Pauls separate
Paul posts a video on TikTok announcing her divorce from her husband, Tate Paul. Fans are beginning to speculate what led to their divorce.
May 25, 2022: The 'soft swinging' scandal emerges
On TikTok Live, Paul explains that she and her husband had been in an open relationship and were part of a “soft swinging” group with other MomTok members. Paul says she had violated group rules by meeting a couple without her husband's knowledge, which contributed to their divorce.
February 17, 2023: Paul is arrested
Hulu begins filming the first season of “Mormon Wives.” After a fight with Mortensen, Paul is arrested and charged with assault, criminal mischief and committing domestic violence in the presence of a child, according to the Herriman Police Department. Filming of the program is on hold during the investigation.
August 2023: Paul reaches plea deal
Paul pleads suspended to a third-degree felony charge of aggravated assault. The agreement allows charges to be reduced after three years, if Paul meets the requirements of his plea agreement.
Dakota Mortensen and Taylor Frankie Paul share a 2-year-old son, Ever.
(Fred Hayes/Disney)
March 19, 2024: Paul and Mortensen welcome a son
Paul has a son, Ever, with Mortensen. Although the couple had been dating during Paul's pregnancy, they decide to end their relationship and become parents to their son.
September 6, 2024: 'Mormon Wives' debut
The first season of “Mormon Wives” launches on Hulu. The series follows cast members Jen Affleck, Jessi Draper, Demi Engemann and Layla Taylor, as well as Leavitt, Neeley, Matthews and Paul from the original MomTokers group. The pilot episode, “Taylor's First Book”, explores the aftermath of the swinging scandal and ends with Paul's arrest in 2023. The second episode begins almost a year after the incident.
The show is Hulu's most-watched unscripted season premiere of 2024 and is renewed just a month after its premiere.
October 2024: again
Mortensen and Paul apparently reconcile their relationship.
December 2025: shutdown again
Paul and Mortensen separate. On Christmas, Paul posts on TikTok that he “wouldn't wish this pain on anyone.”
Demi Engemann, Mikayla Matthews, Mayci Neeley, Layla Taylor, Whitney Leavitt, Miranda Hope and Taylor Frankie Paul in the second season of “The Secret Life of Mormon Wives.”
(Fred Hayes/Disney)
May 15, 2025: Season 2 premiere
Season 2 of “Mormon Wives” premieres. Miranda Hope joins the cast.
September 10, 2025: Paul receives his roses
During an episode of Alex Cooper's hit podcast, “Call Her Daddy,” Paul announces that he will be performing “The Bachelorette.” Paul is the first bachelorette who has not competed on “The Bachelor.”
Fall 2025: Mortensen's mea culpa
While FaceTiming with Paul before she begins filming “The Bachelorette,” Mortensen apologizes for his behavior and tells Paul to “save me a rose.” This conversation is shown in the show's fourth season in March 2026.
November 13, 2025: Season 3 debuts
The third season of “Mormon Wives” premieres.
February 24 and 25, 2026: a second investigation is opened
The Draper City Police Department contacts Paul and Mortensen regarding an open “domestic assault investigation” between the two, with accusations going both ways.
March 12, 2026: Season 4 arrives
The fourth season of “Mormon Wives” premieres.
March 16, 2026: 'Mormon Wives' filming stops
Filming on the fifth season of “Mormon Wives” is halted as the new investigation involving Paul and Mortensen becomes public.
Taylor Frankie Paul's season of “The Bachelorette” was canceled three days before its premiere.
(Michael Kirchoff/Disney)
TMZ releases previously unseen video taken by Mortensen during his altercation with Paul in February 2023. It shows Paul throwing stools at Mortensen while his five-year-old daughter cries. After the video's release, ABC cancels Paul's season of “The Bachelorette.”
March 20, 2026: The court intervenes
Mortensen is granted temporary custody of Ever, her 2-year-old son with Paul, according to documents obtained by People.
March 24, 2026: a third investigation opens
The West Jordan Police Department in Utah begins investigating a third incident of domestic abuse between Paul and Mortensen, which occurred in “early-mid 2024.” No charges have been filed while the investigation is ongoing.
Paul has been denied visitation until a protective order hearing on April 7, which may determine whether the court grants a final protective order.
