Taylor Frankie Paul Steps Away From ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ After Allegedly Failing Court-Ordered Drug Test, Citing ‘Disgusting’ Bullying From Castmates
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Taylor Frankie Paul has decided to leave Hulu’s *The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives*, despite recently agreeing to return, citing what she described as months of bullying and a “pile on” by castmates. Her departure follows reports that she allegedly failed a Utah court-ordered drug test during ongoing custody disputes, although Paul did not address the allegation in her announcement and the results remain protected by a court order.
The legal disputes involve Paul’s ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, with whom she shares one son, and ex-husband Tate Paul, with whom she has two children. The scandal began after mutual domestic-violence allegations and a separate video showing Paul in a violent confrontation with Mortensen; neither faced charges, but both received restraining orders. The fallout has disrupted the reality show, with Mikayla Matthews leaving Season 6 over Paul’s return, other cast members expressing uncertainty and Whitney Leavitt already departing for an acting career.
- Taylor Frankie Paul is leaving the Hulu reality show.
- She cited alleged bullying by castmates.
- Her exit follows reports of a failed court-ordered drug test.
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"The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" is a Hulu reality television series documenting the lives of women in Utah's Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints community. The show has been caught up in significant personal and legal disputes involving cast member Taylor Frankie Paul.
Taylor Frankie Paul is involved in custody proceedings with two men: ex-husband Tate Paul, with whom she has two children, and ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, the father of her son. The disputes arose following mutual allegations of domestic violence and after a video showed Paul in a violent confrontation with Mortensen; neither party faced criminal charges, but both received restraining orders.
The legal proceedings have disrupted the show's production, with cast members expressing different views on Paul's continued participation. The ongoing court case includes a court-ordered drug test, the results of which remain confidential under court protection.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Those supporting Paul's position argue that even people facing significant personal difficulties—custody disputes, legal proceedings—deserve basic professional civility and workplace respect. The drug test allegations remain under court protection, making judgment on unconfirmed reports premature and potentially unfair. When someone is already struggling, coordinated mockery and exclusion from colleagues can constitute genuine bullying that undermines mental health and recovery rather than addressing underlying concerns.
The case against
Those backing the castmates' stance note that documented domestic violence incidents and restraining orders represent serious behavioural concerns warranting legitimate professional caution, not mere gossip. If Paul did fail a court-ordered drug test during active custody disputes, such conduct raises material questions about her fitness as both a parent and a colleague. Cast members exercised their reasonable right to decline working with someone whose documented actions they find unacceptable; maintaining professional boundaries around concerning behaviour constitutes reasonable standard-setting rather than cruelty.
Full account
Reality television personality Taylor Frankie Paul has announced her withdrawal from the Hulu series "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," reversing her recent decision to return to the show. In an Instagram post on Monday, Paul expressed gratitude to networks that had supported her comeback but stated she could no longer move forward under current circumstances. The announcement came merely weeks after reports had confirmed she would be rejoining the cast for upcoming production.
The timing of Paul's exit coincides with developments in her ongoing custody disputes. According to reporting by entertainment outlets, Paul allegedly failed a drug test mandated by a Utah court as part of arrangements with her two ex-partners—ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, with whom she shares one son, and former husband Tate Paul, with whom she has two children. The test results were initially protected by court order before her ex-husband requested they be unsealed in mid-August. Paul did not directly address the drug test allegations in her public statement, and neither the studio nor her representatives offered immediate comment.
Paul's departure statement focused instead on interpersonal conflicts within the cast. She accused her colleagues of mounting coordinated attacks and criticisms, particularly objecting to remarks about her children. She suggested castmates had previously encouraged her to demand higher compensation, which she declined to pursue, citing fairness and integrity. Paul characterised the ongoing situation as bullying spanning several months. Her exit followed a similar decision by castmate Mikayla Matthews, who departed citing moral objections to Paul's involvement in the programme.
The departure reflects turbulence surrounding Paul since March, when a domestic violence incident involving her and ex-partner Mortensen prompted production to pause and sparked a police investigation. Video evidence of a violent altercation between the two subsequently emerged, leading ABC to withdraw Paul's scheduled appearance hosting "The Bachelorette" before its premiere. The couple received mutual restraining orders, though neither faced criminal charges. The programme's sixth season remained in active production, with its seventh season already approved by the network.
Where outlets differ
Source 1 emphasises the failed drug test as the central context for departure; Source 2 does not mention it and instead centres on Paul's grievances about castmate behaviour and bullying
Source 1 foregrounds legal and custody battle dimensions; Source 2 prioritises interpersonal drama and cast dynamics
Source 2 provides extensive detail about Paul's compensation concerns and alleged pressure from castmates to demand higher pay; Source 1 does not address this
Source 2 includes substantial direct quotations from Paul's statement; Source 1 paraphrases more heavily
Source 1 explicitly notes Hulu and Paul's representatives declined to comment; Source 2 does not mention attempted contact with representatives
Source 1 describes the 2023 incident as Paul throwing 'a chair'; Source 2 characterises it as 'throwing barstools' (plural)
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