“The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” cast members Layla Taylor and Miranda McWhorter are weighing in about the controversy involving co-star Taylor Frankie Paul.
On March 19, TMZ shared a video from 2023 that showed Paul attacking and throwing chairs at her ex, Dakota Mortensen, while her daughter was in the room. It appears Mortensen was filming the incident. Paul is a mother of three, and the former couple share a 2-year-old son.
Taylor and McWhorter addressed the altercation in statements shared on their Instagram story March 20.
Taylor wrote, “My personal history as a survivor makes it impossible for me to stay silent. I stand firmly against domestic violence in any form.”
She added she was “keeping (Paul’s) children in my thoughts, hoping for their safety above all else.”
McWhorter also condemned domestic violence in her statement, writing, “I’ve honestly been a little at a loss for words trying to process this all. Everything has been really heavy to see. Domestic violence and abuse of any kind is something I take very seriously.”
“As a human, and especially a mother, I cannot support that kind of behavior,” she continued. “My heart is with the children in this and I hope they’re safe, supported, and surrounded by love.”
Prior to the latest headlines, members of the cast expressed concerns about working with Paul in a Zoom meeting with ABC executives earlier this month, NBC News reported in a digital exclusive.
NBC News obtained audio of members voicing their issues, with one saying, “It’s a dangerous situation, it’s a sad situation, and we don’t know how to navigate it, because Taylor is our friend.” One also said they did not feel comfortable filming while Paul was being investigated.
NBC News reported earlier this week that filming for “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” was paused due to an investigation involving Paul and Mortensen.
That investigation was pertaining to a “domestic assault investigation,” People reported. The Draper City Police Department told the outlet that “allegations have been made in both directions” and “contact was made with involved parties” on Feb. 24 and 25.
The department told NBC News that it could not confirm the information because “it is the practice of the department not to release details related to active investigations.”
Following the video release of the 2023 altercation, Disney announced that it will no longer air Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette,” which was scheduled to premiere March 22 on ABC.
“In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of ‘The Bachelorette’ at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,” a Disney spokesperson confirmed in a statement sent to TODAY.com.
Paul issued a statement via a spokesperson to NBC News about the cancellation and controversy, saying that she is “very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security.”
“After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm,” the statement said. “There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives. Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation, and public shaming. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story.”
Her representative also told NBC News in a statement about the video, “It’s sad to see the latest installment of his never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor without any regard for the consequences for their child.”
As for Mortensen, he commented on the video in a statement to People.
“As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation,” he said. “I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny. I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same.”
He has since been granted a temporary protective order, NBC News confirmed. A hearing has been scheduled for April 7.
ABC has pulled Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette” just days before its premiere.
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