Reality TV Profits from Taylor Frankie Paul’s Trauma
Taylor Frankie Paul attends the Oscars on March 15, days before her season of “The Bachelorette” is canceled. (Ser Baffo/Disney/TNS)
Mormon influencer Taylor Frankie Paul is no stranger to drama and trauma. Following her swinging scandal and divorce, Hulu created the hit reality show “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” chronicling the not-so-secret lives of Taylor and her friends, nicknamed “MomTok.”
In the very first episode, she was arrested for domestic assault against her boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen. Paul was drunk, got into a heated argument with Mortensen, and allegedly threw chairs at him, and one of them accidentally hit her daughter. A year later, they resumed filming the rest of the season, where Paul had Mortensen’s baby.
In the following seasons, the show focused on their messy co-parenting dynamic and their toxic relationship. It was always the same cycle. Mortensen love-bombed Paul. Then he cheats, Paul swears him off forever, but somehow winds up in his bed. Season 4, released on March 12, was no different.
After finding out Paul was selected for the upcoming season of “The Bachelorette,” her “MomTok” friends hoped this would offer her a fresh start. In the season 4 finale, they made signs for her and gathered at the airport to send her off. And where was Paul? Home, wallowing in her bed after sleeping with Mortensen the night before.
Hulu released a statement that shooting season 5 of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” has been put on hold due to Paul’s involvement in another domestic violence incident with Mortensen. A spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department in Northern Utah confirms that there is an active “domestic assault investigation,” and that “allegations have been made in both directions,” and “contact was made with both involved parties on February 24th and 25th.”
Following the new allegations, an old video of Paul’s 2023 assault was leaked to TMZ by an unnamed source. Mortensen recorded Paul being violent with Mortensen and throwing metal stools at him. Her daughter can be heard crying in the background. However, later on in the body cam footage, Paul tells the police officers that he shoved her into the garage first.
These allegations sparked heated debates on the internet, with some villainizing Paul, and others defending her, calling her actions “reactive abuse.” Both Mortensen and Paul are known to have anger issues, and in the past, their arguments have escalated into extremes. I would not be surprised if Mortensen got violent with Paul.
While this wouldn’t condone Paul’s actions, it’s common for abusers to accuse the victim of abusing them. This tactic is called DARVO, which stands for “Deny, Attack, and Reverse Victim and Offender.” TikTok psychologists and superfans examined Paul and Mortensen’s relationship closely, with many agreeing that while Paul should be held accountable for her wrongdoings, Mortensen is the main perpetrator.
After the video was leaked, ABC finally took a hint and canceled her season of “The Bachelorette.” But given her history with Mortensen, I’m sure ABC knew she wasn’t going to find her soulmate, but cast her for the views.
Hulu profits off Paul’s trauma, as well. I can’t help but think they’re pushing Mortensen to show up at MomTok/DadTok events to spark drama between him and Paul. Introducing DadTok in season 4 only made it worse. The other husbands defend Mortensen and invite him to events, knowing they’ll end in a fight.
Paul and Mortensen are not the only couple whose toxicity is turned into entertainment. Jessi Draper has also opened up about her ex-husband Jordan Ngatikaura’s emotional abuse. In seasons 3 and 4, we see Ngatikaura belittling Draper, picking fights, and calling her names on camera, and then confiding in his guy friends about how “difficult” she is. They finally got divorced, but perhaps they would have sooner if it weren’t for the cameras.
Reality TV should be dramatic and messy, but it should not profit from domestic violence. There is little that TV networks can do to help women leave abusive relationships, especially if they already have the money and resources to do so, and a good support system. But they should acknowledge the severity of the situations rather than framing domestic violence as drama.
We don’t know what the future holds for “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” but one thing is for certain: we are sick of Paul and Mortensen. She needs time off from the show, away from the public eye, and away from Mortensen to heal.
