Taylor Frankie Paul has spent the last 40 days in what she describes as “hell on earth,” a period marked by the collapse of a major career milestone and a deepening legal crisis. Over the weekend, the reality star used social media to announce a pivotal spiritual shift, stating it is now time for her to Taylor Frankie Paul detach from Mormonism, the faith that has served as both her foundation and a central plot point of her public persona.
The announcement comes amid a whirlwind of professional fallout. ABC recently pulled Paul’s upcoming season of The Bachelorette, which was scheduled to premiere on March 22, following the release of a video appearing to show Paul in a domestic violence incident. The loss of the high-profile role coincides with ongoing police investigations in Utah and a fractured relationship with her fellow cast members on the Hulu series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.
In a series of Instagram stories and a video slideshow, Paul reflected on a month of “panic attacks” and “distress,” sharing images of herself praying and crying. While she expressed a continued belief in “Christ, God, the bible, the divine,” she indicated that her relationship with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) has reached a breaking point.
A spiritual release amid personal turmoil
For Paul, the decision to distance herself from the LDS faith is not a total renunciation, but rather a “release.” She noted that while she was born and raised in the faith and maintains “love and respect” for it, the rigid structures of the church no longer align with her current journey toward healing.
“I believe we are loved whether we are praying in church building or from a bathroom floor at home,” Paul wrote, adding that she has found grace and love from people who may not hold any specific beliefs at all. Despite her detachment, she mentioned she would still attend church with her family occasionally, signaling a complex, nuanced transition rather than a hard break.
This spiritual evolution is particularly striking given that the “Mormon” identity is a primary tenet of the Hulu reality series that catapulted her to further fame. Her public struggle with faith and identity now mirrors the volatility of her professional life, where her behavior has develop into a point of contention among her peers.
The professional collapse and ‘The Bachelorette’ cancellation
The most immediate blow to Paul’s career was the cancellation of her tenure on The Bachelorette. The decision by ABC followed the March 19 release of a TMZ video showing Paul appearing to attack her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, during a 2023 incident for which she was previously charged.
The ripples of this incident have extended to her other projects. Filming for the fifth season of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has been paused. This decision was reportedly unanimous among the cast, who expressed apprehension about continuing to work with Paul. An audio recording of a call with ABC executives on March 7 further highlighted the tension within the group, revealing that several cast members were uneasy with her behavior.
The fallout has similarly affected those in Paul’s immediate orbit. Dakota Mortensen, a figure often linked to the “DadTok” community associated with the show, has had his storyline cut from the upcoming season of Vanderpump Villa. Mortensen remains a cast member of the YouTube series Unwell Winter Games, backed by Alex Cooper.
Timeline of the fallout
| Date/Period | Event | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Late February | Domestic violence reports filed | Initiated police investigations in West Jordan and Draper |
| March 7 | Meeting with ABC executives | Cast of Mormon Wives decides to pause season 5 filming |
| March 19 | TMZ video release | ABC cancels Paul’s season of The Bachelorette |
| Recent Weekend | Instagram announcement | Paul declares intent to detach from Mormonism |
Legal investigations and fractured alliances
The legal cloud hanging over Paul is not limited to a single incident. Two separate Utah police departments have confirmed they are investigating domestic violence allegations against her, both reported at the end of February.
Police in West Jordan are investigating allegations made by Mortensen regarding a 2024 incident, while police in Draper are reviewing allegations made by both Paul and Mortensen regarding an incident in 2026. These overlapping investigations suggest a volatile cycle of conflict that has now become a matter of public record.
Within the “MomTok” community, the response to Paul’s crisis has been polarized. While many cast members have remained silent, a few have offered public support. Jessi Draper commented on Paul’s video, calling her “the strongest person I grasp,” and former member Demi Engemann has also checked in on her. Paul expressed deep gratitude to both women, stating she would “never forget” that they didn’t leave her side at her lowest point.
As Paul attempts to navigate her desire to Taylor Frankie Paul detach from Mormonism and rebuild her life, she describes her current state as one of gratitude despite the pain. “Instead of just asking [for help], I switched over to thanking him at the end of each day no matter how low I felt,” she shared.
Disclaimer: This article discusses allegations of domestic violence. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, help is available. You can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text “START” to 88788 for confidential support.
The next critical juncture for Paul will be the resolution of the pending investigations in West Jordan and Draper, which will likely determine her future viability in reality television and the potential resumption of filming for The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.
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