The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Dakota Mortensen revealed where he stands with ex Taylor Frankie Paul after their messy split.
During the Wednesday, June 4, episode of “The Viall Files” podcast, Dakota, 32, said his and Taylor’s dynamic is “really fresh right now” as they coparent their son, Ever, 15 months. However, he did not elaborate on any details about their relationship following their tumultuous split.
During season 1 of the Hulu reality show, fans saw the couple get into an altercation that led to Taylor, 31, being charged with aggravated assault in 2023. She went on to suffer a miscarriage and became pregnant again with Ever.
Season 1 ended with a cliffhanger after costar Mayci Neeley learned that Dakota had been unfaithful.
Taylor gave an update about where she and Dakota stood during the season 2 premiere in May. “Right after Ever was born, Dakota and I were living together and in bliss with our new baby, and I was even considering engagement. And then I learned that he was lying this entire time,” she explained during the first episode of the season.
Fans watched the pair have an on-off relationship for the remainder of the season, though they eventually ended things for good in late 2024.
Dakota reflected on their relationship during his “Viall Files” appearance, telling hosts Natalie Joy and Nick Viall that he was “scared” when they first started dating because of how strong his feelings were for her.
“I was so afraid of how much I liked Taylor and how afraid I was of her and knowing that I didn’t know really what she wanted, or if this could even be a thing,” he said, stating that Taylor was “still talking to the man she had an affair with” during the early days of their romance.
“I’m not stupid. I can obviously read those things. I still knew there was something going on there,” he said. “I didn’t really necessarily want to give her 100 percent of me because I was afraid of that. I didn’t want to get hurt by that, because that’s how I am. When I’m all in, I’m all in.”
Dakota said that the uncertainty he felt in their relationship “led to some of those dumb mistakes” early on in their romance.
Dakota Mortensen
Meanwhile, Taylor recently opened up about her single status while talking to Variety and admitted that the show’s popularity has made her question people’s intentions.
“I am very scared to get out there and date. I can’t really even picture it happening for me. I don’t know people’s intentions, or if they’re just wanting to date to get on the show. And so you have to question people’s intentions,” she said. “I also have three kids, so who wants to come in and take over that role?”
Despite her hesitations to date, Taylor said that she has “a very good intuition” and “can tell when something’s right and when it’s not.” She then jokingly added, “Clearly, that’s why I’m not with my baby daddy.”
