Jesse Draper gives an update on Taylor Frankie Paul as his “Mormon Wives” co-star’s scandal continues.
The hairdresser said on the latest “Call Her Daddy” episode that she spoke to her fellow Hulu personality “right before” she sat down with host Alex Cooper on Friday.
“She seemed pretty positive today,” the 33-year-old said during a podcast that aired Wednesday. “I think she knows this is going to be a long and scary journey.”
Draper went on to praise his fellow reality star for always “telling the truth.”
She continued, “She’s known for that. And I think she’s going to address this issue in the best way possible, and I think she’s taking a beat to figure it out.”
The businessman took a swipe at Paul’s ex, Dakota Mortensen, quipping: “She’s not just running to TMZ and leaking stories. I think that’s the right thing to do.”
When asked, Draper admitted that he believed Mortensen, 33, was the one who revealed he was being investigated for a domestic violence incident in February. Suspicions lie with “both parties.”
As a result, production on Season 5 of SLOMW has been halted.
“Right now we’re all just thinking, ‘Okay, we’re human beings first. Let’s understand that and get back to filming the show,'” Draper said Wednesday. “Obviously, there’s no shortage of drama in our lives, so if there’s another season, it’s going to be good.”
Draper also speculated that Mortensen “definitely” leaked cell phone footage of his 2022 match with Paul, which led to the MomTok star’s arrest.
Ultimately, the video that was released led to Paul’s season of The Bachelorette being canceled last week.
On Thursday, news broke that Paul had temporarily lost custody of his girlfriend and Mortensen’s 2-year-old son, Ever, as part of his ex-girlfriend’s protection order.
On Wednesday, NBC reported that she was being investigated for a third domestic violence incident dating back to 2024.
Ms Draper expressed her disappointment at Paul’s exit from The Bachelorette, saying the three-time mother had been “really confident and had a great time” since filming the show.
“I saw her twice and I was like, ‘The aura is different. The energy is different,'” Draper recalled. “It was like the old Taylor was back. It’s so sad because I wanted people to see that side of Taylor.”
She described the season as “very wholesome, dramatic and wonderful.”
Draper also accused her estranged husband Jordan Ghatikaula of “escorting,” “promiscuous sex” and “blackmail” during the interview, which Paul backed up in an Instagram comment on Tuesday.
“We love those who speak the truth even when it’s difficult,” she wrote.
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.
