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Reality TV Figures Dakota Mortensen and Taylor Frankie Paul Face Ongoing Domestic Violence Investigations
Reality television personalities Taylor Frankie Paul and her former partner Dakota Mortensen are currently under police investigation amid multiple allegations of domestic violence that have drawn national attention.
The controversy intensified after a 2023 video surfaced online showing a violent altercation between the two. The footage depicts Paul kicking and throwing metal barstools at Mortensen while her young daughter is seen crying nearby.
Following the video’s circulation, ABC made the decision to cancel the upcoming Season 22 of “The Bachelorette,” a show Paul was slated to lead. Mortensen has denied any involvement in leaking the video.
The couple shares custody of their toddler son, Ever. Paul is also a mother to two other children from her previous marriage to Tate Paul.
Their turbulent relationship has been a focal point of Hulu’s popular reality series, “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.” The show profiles a group of Utah-based influencers, often referred to as “MomTok,” as they navigate complex issues related to marriage, friendship, and faith. Production on the fifth season has been temporarily halted amid the ongoing investigations.
Here are key facts about Dakota Mortensen:
From Survival Show Contestant to Reality Star
Born in 1993 in Caldwell, Idaho, Mortensen first gained public attention as a contestant on NBC’s short-lived survival series “The Island,” hosted by Bear Grylls.
The show featured 14 men attempting to endure a remote island challenge. At 21, Mortensen was introduced as a bird farmer with little exposure to beaches or international travel.
Business Ventures in Tiling and Real Estate
Mortensen owned Basin Tiling, a contractor business based in Caldwell established in 2020, which has since been dissolved.
Recently, he announced his entry into the real estate sector, joining Utah-based Presidio Real Estate in early 2025, focusing on new construction projects. Presidio had previously appeared on Bravo’s “Sold on SLC,” which was canceled after one season.
Social Media Influencer and Father Figure
With approximately 830,000 TikTok followers and 290,000 on Instagram, Mortensen is an established lifestyle and wellness influencer who shares content related to family life and health products.
He has temporary custody of his son Ever, who frequently features in his online content. Mortensen is also part of the “DadTok” community, a male counterpart to “MomTok” influencers.
Open About Addiction Recovery
Mortensen has publicly discussed his struggles with substance abuse, tracing his addiction back to painkillers taken for a high school sports injury.
His battle with opioids, including heroin, and his subsequent recovery journey-including relapses and mental health challenges-were detailed in a 2025 interview on the podcast “Recoverycast.” He credits his sobriety as one of the toughest challenges he has faced, especially under public scrutiny.
Personal Life and Legal Challenges
Mortensen was married to his high school sweetheart, nurse Kenna Rae Hopkins, from 2015 to 2017.
The marriage ended largely due to undisclosed drug use on Mortensen’s part. He and Paul met via social media and made their relationship public in September 2022.
Their relationship has been marked by allegations of infidelity and multiple domestic violence incidents.
Paul was arrested in 2023 and pled guilty to aggravated assault in connection with an earlier dispute with Mortensen, an event covered in the first season of “Mormon Wives.” Both parties are currently involved in ongoing investigations by Draper and West Jordan police departments regarding domestic violence allegations filed by each against the other.
Mortensen is reportedly dating Emma Shippen, a former cheerleader for the San Francisco 49ers.
Upcoming Projects
Mortensen is slated to appear in a new YouTube series titled “Unwell Winter Games,” produced by Alex Cooper’s Unwell Network.
The show, set to premiere in April 2026, will feature 19 controversial influencers and reality stars competing in physical and mental challenges at a luxury chalet in Park City, Utah. Cast members include other notable figures such as Demi Engemann from “Mormon Wives,” convicted fraudster Anna Delvey, and “Love Island USA” contestant Huda Mustafa.
The unfolding investigations and Mortensen’s ongoing media presence continue to fuel public interest in the intersecting worlds of reality television, social media influence, and personal turmoil.