Mormon TikTok star Taylor Frankie Paul opens up about her domestic violence arrest and how it may have "saved her life" following her infamous swingers sex scandal.
Taylor Frankie Paul, a renowned member of Mormon MomTok, has candidly discussed her domestic violence arrest in the wake of her infamous swingers sex scandal. In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Paul, who now stars in the Hulu reality series "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," reflected on the profound impact of her run-in with the law.
Mormon TikTok Star Taylor Frankie Paul Reflects on Domestic Violence Arrest After Swingers Sex Scandal
"That [arrest] was super difficult," Paul admitted. "That was the worst thing that I've gone through." Despite its traumatic nature, Paul believes the experience may have ultimately been a blessing in disguise.
"I did go more into depth on the show with that very emotional topic," she said. "But I felt like I have learned from it. It was a regret. Hitting rock bottom, there's only one way to go, and it helped me to go up."
Mormon TikTok Star Taylor Frankie Paul Reflects on Domestic Violence Arrest After Swingers Sex Scandal
Paul's arrest in February 2023 stemmed from an altercation with her then-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen. She was charged with aggravated assault, two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse with injury, and criminal mischief.
According to a complaint filed with Salt Lake County, Paul allegedly threw objects at Mortensen, injuring one of her children who was present during the incident. In August, she pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, while the other charges were dismissed.
Mormon TikTok Star Taylor Frankie Paul Reflects on Domestic Violence Arrest After Swingers Sex Scandal
Reflecting on her tumultuous relationship with Mortensen, Paul acknowledged her struggles. "That one was super difficult. That was the worst thing that I've gone through," she said. Despite the challenges, the couple remains together and welcomed their first child together in March 2024.
Paul's domestic violence arrest not only impacted her personal life but also reverberated through the Mormon MomTok community, a group of Utah-based wives and mothers who gained popularity on TikTok for their viral dance and lip-sync videos.
Mormon TikTok Star Taylor Frankie Paul Reflects on Domestic Violence Arrest After Swingers Sex Scandal
In a 2022 TikTok livestream, Paul dropped a bombshell by revealing her "soft swinging" lifestyle with her ex-husband, Tate Paul, and some of their friends who were featured in her videos. The revelation sent shock waves through the internet.
The scandal sparked intense speculation about the involvement of other MomTok members in the swingers group. Some members publicly denied the claims, while others remained silent.
Mormon TikTok Star Taylor Frankie Paul Reflects on Domestic Violence Arrest After Swingers Sex Scandal
"Since we were all, you know, kind of close friends on the internet, people just assumed everyone in MomTok was involved," said Jessi Ngatikaura, a co-star on "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives."
The scandal led to a fracturing of the MomTok friendship group, as some distanced themselves from Paul. "The cast of the show is a little bit different than the actual MomTok group because of that," Paul said.
Mormon TikTok Star Taylor Frankie Paul Reflects on Domestic Violence Arrest After Swingers Sex Scandal
"The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" delves into the fallout from Paul's revelation and explores the impact it had on the lives of other MomTok members featured in her videos. The show also examines the husbands' and partners' perspectives on the scandal and its aftermath.
"I think everyone was kind of in survival mode and, like, 'What's going on?'" Paul recalled about the moment when the scandal became public. "He [Tate] kind of quieted down and kind of just wanted to mind his own business."
Mormon TikTok Star Taylor Frankie Paul Reflects on Domestic Violence Arrest After Swingers Sex Scandal
Despite the difficulties, Paul remains hopeful for the future. "I'm really happy for him," she said of Tate. "He kind of just, like, got off social media and is living his life happy now."
"The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," featuring Paul and other MomTok members, premiered all eight episodes on Hulu on September 6, 2023.
Mormon TikTok Star Taylor Frankie Paul Reflects on Domestic Violence Arrest After Swingers Sex Scandal
