Production of Season 5 of the reality show ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ has been suspended, amid reports of an alleged domestic violence incident involving one of its stars, Taylor Frankie Paul. The decision came shortly after the release of the show’s fourth season on Hulu.
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A source communicated to PEOPLE that filming had come to a halt due to what it described as serious matters associated with Paul’s past. “They are not filming,” the insider revealed. Another source familiar with the cast indicated that Paul’s co-stars have chosen to distance themselves from her. “None of the women want to be associated with her,” the source noted. This sentiment underscored concerns about the internal dynamics of the cast.
The Draper City Police Department has confirmed that there is an ongoing investigation concerning an alleged domestic assault involving Paul and her former partner, Dakota Mortensen. Reports suggest that allegations have arisen in both directions, and police were in contact with those involved on February 24 and 25. The circumstances surrounding this incident have intensified scrutiny on Paul and her relationships.
Following the announcement of the production pause, social media influencers weighed in on the unfolding drama. No Filter with Zack Peter remarked that the cast could be feeling “upset” with Paul, suggesting jealousy may be a factor due to her prominence on the show. In a display of support for her co-stars, Jessi Ngatikaura, aged 33, refuted the jealousy claims via social media. “It was never a jealousy thing lol,” she stated in a comment.
According to another source close to the production, the decision to pause filming was not taken lightly. The source described the other women on the show as feeling overwhelmed and indicated that there had been accumulated fatigue with Paul’s behaviour. “They were just getting tired of Taylor, honestly,” the insider reported, suggesting a sense of collective frustration among the cast.
The current situation marks a notable shift in the show’s atmosphere, as one source stated that the other cast members have united in their decision not to continue filming for the time being. “They kind of all decided, as a unit, that they’re taking the production pause,” the source revealed. It seems there is little enthusiasm for returning to work under the current circumstances, as the other cast members reportedly feel done with the situation.
The series has previously spotlighted Paul and Mortensen’s turbulent relationship, which has been central to the show’s storyline. Prior to the domestic violence investigation, Paul found herself embroiled in legal troubles with charges of misdemeanour assault and criminal mischief dating back to February 2023. These stemmed from an argument with Mortensen, during which it was alleged that a chair was thrown, reportedly injuring Paul’s own daughter.
Amidst these allegations, Paul has claimed that the charges against her were eventually dropped. During a podcast appearance last September, she stated, “the charges were all dropped,” though she later entered a guilty plea for aggravated assault in abeyance, implying that compliance with certain conditions could lead to the dismissal of her charge.
As the controversy continues, representatives for both Paul and Hulu have not yet commented on the pause in production. The matter remains fraught, with the impending premiere of The Bachelorette on March 22, where Paul is a contestant, adding further tension to her current circumstances.
The developments surrounding Paul’s situation have prompted discussions on the broader themes of domestic violence, with resources available for those impacted. The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides confidential assistance around the clock for individuals in crisis.
As this story unfolds, it underscores the complex interplay between personal lives and the demands of reality television, with the ongoing investigation likely to have significant implications for those involved.