Taylor Frankie Paul has announced her departure from Hulu’s reality series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, pointing to intense co-star scrutiny and ongoing legal disputes as the primary catalysts for her exit. According to reports from Page Six and TMZ, the reality television star confirmed her departure in a lengthy Instagram post on Monday, just weeks after production on the series resumed following a brief filming hiatus.
Reality Star Taylor Frankie Paul Cites Co-Star Pressure and Bullying
Paul stated on Instagram that she no longer wishes to participate in the series, detailing what she characterized as months of persistent targeting by her castmates. According to Page Six, Paul claimed that nearly the entire cast turned on her and laughed about her children, describing the environment as bullying. “My question has been how much suffering and scrutiny is going to be enough,” Paul wrote, adding that she feels relieved to exit the production.
The departure follows a tumultuous period for the reality TV star, who faced intense public scrutiny after an alleged domestic altercation involving her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen surfaced earlier this year. Per coverage from The Hollywood Reporter, the Draper City Police Department opened a domestic assault investigation in March following the release of a leaked video showing Paul throwing barstools at Mortensen while her young daughter was present. The incident prompted ABC to scrap Paul’s unaired season of The Bachelorette just days before its scheduled premiere, while Hulu temporarily paused production on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.
Custody Battles and Reduced Visitation Schedule
Beyond reality TV drama, Paul is navigating complex family court proceedings concerning her three children. According to TMZ reports cited by Page Six, the reality star allegedly failed multiple court-ordered drug tests over a 60-day period. As a consequence, a judge reduced her supervised and unsupervised visitation rights to eight hours a week total. Court documentation cited by Page Six indicates that Paul receives four hours with her older children, Indy, 8, and Ocean, 6, shared with ex-husband Tate Paul, and four hours with her two-year-old son, Ever, whom she shares with Mortensen.
The legal fallout has heavily impacted the cast dynamic of the Hulu series. Mikayla Matthews announced her departure from the show the week prior to Paul’s exit, telling her Instagram followers that she refused to film if a certain returning cast member came back, calling the situation unethical. Meanwhile, Whitney Leavitt stated in May that the fifth season would be her final run on the program, and Jen Affleck faces rumors of transitioning to a proposed spinoff, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Orange County.
Production Crew Support Amid Cast Friction
Despite friction with her fellow cast members, Paul expressed appreciation for the behind-the-scenes staff who managed the production. According to Page Six, Paul asserted that she treated the crew with respect and noted that production personnel consistently checked in on her well-being throughout the ordeal. Paul also claimed in her statement that certain co-stars previously urged her to demand higher compensation to set a industry benchmark for the ensemble, a request she ultimately declined to protect her own integrity.
Did you know?
Production on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives was halted in March following an internal investigation into the domestic dispute allegations involving Paul and Mortensen, before cameras eventually picked back up for Season 5 and subsequent filming for Season 6.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Taylor Frankie Paul quit The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives?
According to Page Six, Paul cited ongoing bullying and targeting by her co-stars, compounded by her ongoing child custody battles and personal stress, as her reasons for leaving the Hulu series.
What legal issues has Taylor Frankie Paul faced?
Paul has been involved in domestic dispute investigations with ex-partner Dakota Mortensen, and reportedly had her parenting time reduced following failed court-ordered drug tests, according to TMZ and Page Six.
Are other cast members leaving the show?
Yes. Mikayla Matthews announced her departure last week, Whitney Leavitt announced in May that Season 5 would be her last, and Jen Affleck is rumored to be joining a spinoff series.
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