The Hulu series “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” has come to a standstill following developments surrounding domestic violence investigations involving one of its stars, Taylor Frankie Paul. Sources revealed to PEOPLE that production was halted on 16 March due to escalating legal issues and interpersonal drama among the cast members.
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Adding to the turmoil, fellow cast member Mayci Neeley expressed her concerns on Instagram on 27 March, stating, “MomTok is burning, send help.” This remark reflected the ongoing scandals that have emerged, including multiple investigations into Paul’s conduct, Jessi Draper’s impending divorce, and reports linking Draper romantically to an ex-husband of another cast member.
The police in Draper City confirmed to PEOPLE that there are active domestic assault investigations concerning Paul and her former partner, Dakota Mortensen, with whom she shares a two-year-old son. A spokesperson stated that “allegations have been made in both directions” and indicated that police had been in contact with the individuals involved on 24 and 25 February.
Further complicating matters, the West Jordan Police Department opened another investigation into claims of domestic violence involving Mortensen and Paul earlier this year. It was noted that Mortensen had provided video footage to support his claims, which the police believe relates to incidents occurring between early and mid-2024.
Paul has a prior arrest on allegations of domestic violence from 2023. She was accused of throwing metal chairs at Mortensen during an incident that occurred while their then-five-year-old child was present. Recently, a video of the altercation was leaked, prompting ABC to cancel Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette,” just days before its scheduled premiere. Paul’s representatives have claimed that the video lacks context and has been released as part of a campaign to distract from Mortensen’s behaviour. Mortensen has categorically denied these allegations.
The situation has escalated as Mortensen sought a protective order against Paul on 19 March, with a court hearing organised for 7 April. As Paul faces trials both legally and personally, Draper’s husband, Jordan Ngatikaura, filed for divorce on the same day, stating his primary concern is their children’s well-being during this transition.
Draper, speaking out publicly for the first time about the divorce on an episode of “Call Her Daddy,” explained that she learned about her husband’s filing from media reports. Furthermore, she made allegations of emotional abuse during their marriage, asserting that her husband often critiqued her parenting and sought to impose traditional gender roles on their relationship.
As the tensions rose, Ngatikaura has refrained from responding to Draper’s recent claims. Previously, he acknowledged the pain his actions had caused during their marriage, indicating a willingness to take responsibility for his behaviour.
Compounding the controversies, reports emerged that Draper had been seen kissing Chase McWhorter, the ex-husband of another cast member, Miranda Hope. Hope subsequently addressed the situation on social media, sharing an apologetic message from Draper and adding a humorous commentary about the dynamics within their friend group.
Amidst the chaos, sources have disclosed that members of the cast have expressed reluctance to work with Paul due to her ongoing legal troubles. Reports state that they have banded together against her, as they aim to distance themselves from the negative attention generated by her situation.
The pause on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” reflects a deeper discord within the cast, indicating that many members are not willing to return to production while the investigations and scandals persist. One source close to the production noted, “They were just getting tired of Taylor, honestly,” revealing the extent of the strain within the group.
As the series grapples with these crises, it remains uncertain when or if production will resume, leaving fans of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” questioning the future of the acclaimed show against a backdrop of personal trials and legal battles among its cast.