Reality star Taylor Frankie Paul opened up to PEOPLE about her ongoing domestic assault investigation at a press event for The Bachelorette in New York on Tuesday.
“Honestly, it’s heartbreaking to see that and to go through that, especially now,” Paul said. “Just the timing is difficult, and that’s a big deal. I feel like every premier I’ve been to, I’ve never fully enjoyed it. So this one too… it’s been very difficult and it took everything to get here today.”
She continued, “It’s just heavy. It’s a tough time and I’m disappointed. I’m definitely having a hard time, but at the same time, I feel like if I don’t attend, I’m just giving up on these opportunities and not being able to enjoy what we’ve been working on and something really exciting that’s going to happen. I feel like it was the right thing to do… to be present, even if it’s difficult.”
On March 16, a source told Variety that the Draper, Utah Police Department is investigating domestic violence allegations from Paul and his ex-girlfriend Dakota Mortensen following a recent incident. Filming on Season 5 of “The Mormon Wife” has been paused pending an investigation. The official added that the suspension should not affect the release schedule of the new season.
On Wednesday morning, Paul appeared on “Good Morning America” and addressed the allegations further. “I’m someone who always speaks my truth, that’s what I’m known for, so when the time is right, I’ll do it,” she said. “But right now, I’m just trying to stay in the moment and focus on the moment. The thing is, my kids come first. My kids come first. So it’s been like a back and forth process, just trying to be in the moment, worrying about the house and the headlines. It’s been stressful, to be honest.”
After being asked about his future on “Mormon Wives,” Paul added that he felt “like the end of the world.”
“It’s hard to say right now, right? Just because there’s so much going on,” she said. “It’s hard to get through this. I’m not going to lie. It’s really heavy. When your life is reported in headlines like this, it’s like the end of the world. That’s what it feels like. I’m not going to lie. But I’ll tell you, I’ve been here before, I’ve gotten through it, and you know, I’ve shared my story and my life, so I hope I can do it again.”
Paul has led the cast of Hulu’s “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” since it first aired in 2024. She also stars in Season 22 of “The Bachelorette,” which premieres March 22 on ABC. The investigation does not affect the release schedule or press tour for “The Bachelorette.”
