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Taylor Frankie Paul was already raising red flags with her “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” co-stars — weeks before she was axed as the next “Bachelorette.”
During a Zoom meeting on March 7, cast members from the hit Hulu show sounded the alarm, warning ABC executives they had serious concerns about continuing the show if Paul stayed involved, NBC News reported on Thursday.
The tense call involving the “Mormon Wives” cast came shortly after a February 2026 incident involving Paul and ex Dakota Mortensen — now part of an open domestic assault investigation in Utah.
Three Disney execs were on the call, including Rob Mills, the studio’s executive vice president of unscripted and alternative entertainment, according to audio of the meeting obtained by the outlet.
The cast flagged fears about safety, reputational damage and the future of the series as allegations against Paul continued to mount.
One cast member, who was not identified, claimed they didn’t feel comfortable filming while Paul remains under investigation.
“It’s a dangerous situation, it’s a sad situation, and we don’t know how to navigate it, because Taylor is our friend,” they allegedly said at the meeting.
But what appeared to rattle the cast most were alleged videos of Paul’s behavior, which several members described as “distressing” and “upsetting.” Ultimately, they agreed to pause filming of Season 5.
Paul’s legal troubles date back to 2023, when she was arrested after a separate domestic dispute with Mortensen, which was part of the storyline in Season 1 of “Mormon Wives.”
She was charged with assault, criminal mischief and domestic violence in the presence of a child.
Court records show she later pleaded guilty in abeyance to aggravated assault in 2025, while other charges were dismissed.
After “Mormon Wives” filming was placed on hold over the February 2026 incident, a disturbing video from 2023 surfaced showing Paul attacking Mortensen.
The video obtained by TMZ showed Paul pushing and kicking Mortensen as he repeatedly asked her to stop. It also showed her throwing chairs at Mortensen as her now-8-year-old daughter, Indy, cried nearby.
Paul’s spokesperson dismissed the footage, calling it part of a “never-ending, desperate” campaign by Mortensen to harm her “without any regard for the consequences for their child.”
Shortly after the video went public, ABC yanked the plug on Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette,” which was set to premiere Sunday.
“Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security,” a spokesperson for Paul exclusively told Page Six. “After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm.
“There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives,” they added. “Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation, and public shaming. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.
English (US)