Taylor Frankie Paul Admits to Being the Aggressor in 2023 Fight with Ex Dakota Mortensen

In a surprising revelation amid ongoing controversy, Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Taylor Frankie Paul has acknowledged that she was the aggressor in a violent 2023 altercation with her ex-partner, Dakota Mortensen.

The admission surfaced from a resurfaced 2023 podcast interview on CHEERS! with Avery Woods, where Paul candidly described initiating the physical confrontation.

She confessed to throwing a chair during the heated exchange, noting that one of her children was present in the room—though she claimed she was unaware of the child’s presence at the time.

Footage of the incident, obtained and published by TMZ on March 19, 2026, shows Paul throwing chairs and engaging in aggressive behavior toward Mortensen.

The video, which captured the chaos including screams and physical contact, quickly went viral. Hours after its release, ABC announced it was canceling Paul’s upcoming season of The Bachelorette (Season 22), which had been set to premiere imminently.

A Disney Entertainment spokesperson stated the decision was made “in light of the newly released video,” emphasizing support for the family involved. Sources close to the network confirmed that ABC executives had not viewed the footage prior to its public release.

Following the fight, a neighbor reportedly called police after hearing screams. Paul was arrested and later pleaded guilty to aggravated assault. She has stated she was under the influence during the incident, describing herself as “blacked out” until sobering up in jail. Prosecutors used the video evidence in building their case against her.

Paul’s spokesperson issued a statement defending her, highlighting the broader context of domestic struggles: “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.

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.”

The incident has reignited scrutiny of Paul’s personal life, already complicated by her high-profile role in the MomTok community and the “swinging scandal” that propelled her to fame on Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.

Recent developments include Mortensen filing for a restraining order against Paul, alleging separate incidents of physical aggression, including choking.

As the fallout continues, the case underscores the challenges reality stars face when private conflicts collide with public platforms. No further details on potential legal or professional repercussions have been confirmed.

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