Taylor Frankie Paul was already raising red flags for her “Mormon Wives” co-stars weeks before she was eliminated as the next “Bachelorette.”
During a March 7 Zoom call, cast members of the popular Hulu show sounded the alarm, warning ABC executives that there were serious concerns about the show’s continuation if Paul remained involved, NBC News reported Thursday.
The tense phone call between the “Mormon Housewives” cast came on the heels of the February 2026 incident involving Paul and ex Dakota Mortensen. There is currently an open domestic assault investigation underway in Utah.
Three Disney executives participated in the call, including Rob Mills, the studio’s vice president of unscripted alternative entertainment, according to audio of the meeting obtained by the outlet.
As suspicions against Paul mount, cast members have expressed concerns about safety, reputational damage, and the future of the series.
One anonymous cast member claimed that he felt uneasy about filming while Paul was under investigation.
“This is a dangerous situation, a sad situation, and we don’t know how to get through this because Taylor is a friend of ours,” they reportedly said during the meeting.
But it was the video purportedly showing Paul’s actions that most upset the cast, with several members describing it as “heartbreaking” and “upsetting”. Ultimately, they agreed to pause filming for season five.
Paul’s legal troubles date back to 2023. At the time, she was arrested after another domestic dispute with Mortensen, which was part of the “Mormon Wives” season 1 storyline.
She was charged with assault in the presence of a child, criminal mischief and domestic violence.
She later pleaded guilty in 2025 to aggravated assault with a reservation, but other charges were dismissed, according to court records.
After filming on Mormon Wives was halted due to the February 2026 incident, a disturbing video of Paul attacking Mortensen was leaked in 2023.
Footage obtained by TMZ shows Paul repeatedly demanding Mortensen to stop, then pushing and kicking him. She was also seen throwing a chair at Mortensen as her daughter Indi, now 8, cried nearby.
A spokesperson for Ms Paul dismissed the footage, claiming it was part of an “endless and desperate” campaign by Mortensen to harm her “with no regard for the impact on the child”.
Shortly after the video was released, ABC canceled Paul’s season of The Bachelorette, which was scheduled to premiere on Sunday.
“Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as her priority is the safety and security of her family,” Paul’s spokesperson exclusively told Page Six. “After enduring years of extensive emotional and physical abuse and threats of retribution in silence, Taylor has finally found the strength to confront her accusers and is taking steps to protect her and her children from further harm.
“Too many women suffer in silence while surviving ex-partners who are aggressive, jealous and refuse to move on with their lives,” they added. “Taylor remains silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation, and public shaming. She is now exploring all 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 article, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.
