BONUS Deep Dive: Taylor Frankie Paul, Dakota, SLOMW Season 5 & Why It Can Be So Hard to Leave

Send us Fan MailHulu dropped all five episodes of Season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, and after watching the entire season, there was one story I couldn’t stop thinking about: Taylor Frankie Paul.In this deep dive, I’m going all the way back through Taylor’s story, from her marriage to Tate Paul and the rise of MomTok to the soft-swinging scandal that blew up TikTok, her relationship with Dakota Mortensen, the 2023 domestic-violence incident, motherhood, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, her unaired season of The Bachelorette, and the shocking Season 5 revelation that she returned home engaged to another man and almost immediately found herself back with Dakota.But this episode isn’t about asking, “What is wrong with Taylor?”It’s about asking a much more complicated question: Why can it be so difficult to leave a destructive relationship, even when you know it’s hurting you?I also look carefully at the concept commonly called “reactive abuse,” what domestic-violence experts actually say about reactive responses and power and control, and why acknowledging context does not mean excusing violent behavior.Plus: Where is Taylor now? Where is Dakota? Who is Dakota dating? And after that surprisingly short five-episode season, what happens next for The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives?Content warning: This episode discusses domestic violence, physical violence, mental health and an incident involving a child who was present during a violent altercation. No audio of the child is played.SOURCES & FURTHER READINGHulu Press — The Secret Lives of Mormon WivesOfficial series information and Season 5 details:https://press.hulu.com/shows/the-secret-lives-of-mormon-wives/The Washington Post — “‘Bachelorette’ season axed after Taylor Frankie Paul domestic violence video”Reporting on the 2023 incident, Taylor and Dakota’s accounts to police, Taylor’s plea, the resurfaced video and ABC’s decision to pull her season:https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/2026/03/19/taylor-frankie-paul-bachelorette-canceled/People — “What to Know About Taylor Frankie Paul’s 3 Kids, Indy, Ocean and Ever”Taylor’s family history, her children with Tate and Dakota, and background on the 2023 incident:https://people.com/taylor-frankie-paul-kids-everything-to-know-11930617Axios Salt Lake City — Q&A with Taylor Frankie PaulTaylor discusses her Mormon background, MomTok and the scandal that launched the franchise:https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/09/06/taylor-frankie-paul-secret-lives-of-mormon-wivesEntertainment Weekly — Taylor Frankie Paul admits cheating on Bachelorette fiancé Doug with DakotaSeason 5 reporting on Taylor’s engagement to Doug Mason, her return to Dakota and reconnecting with Ben Lambert:https://ew.com/taylor-frankie-paul-cheated-on-bachelorette-fiance-doug-12114382People — Taylor Frankie Paul reveals where she stands with Bachelorette winner Doug MasonTaylor discusses their engagement, breakup and why she ultimately felt relieved when the relationship ended:https://people.com/taylor-frankie-paul-reveals-where-she-stands-with-bachelorette-winner-doug-after-getting-engaged-12114266People — “Who Is Doug Mason?”Background on the man Taylor chose and became engaged to during her unaired season of The Bachelorette:https://people.com/who-is-doug-mason-taylor-frankie-paul-12114273People — “Who Is Dakota Mortensen’s Girlfriend? All About Shinia Powell”Dakota’s current relationship with Shinia, her connection to MomTok and their prior history:https://people.com/who-is-shinia-powell-dakota-mortensen-12114456E! News — Taylor Frankie Paul says she is single and celibateTaylor’s September 12 update about taking a break from dating and focusing on herself:https://www.eonline.com/news/1436015/taylor-frankie-paul-says-shes-single-and-celibate-after-cheating-dramaPeople — Why Season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is only five episodesReporting on the production shutdown and why the season ended after five episodes:https://people.com/why-is-slomw-season-5-only-5-episodes-12112855TheWrap — The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives renewed for 20 more episodesReporting on the renewal through Seasons 6 and 7 and the start of Season 6 production:https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/tv-shows/the-secret-lives-of-mormon-wives-renewed-20-more-episodes-season-6/DOMESTIC-VIOLENCE RESOURCES USED IN THIS EPISODENational Domestic Violence Hotline — “What Is Reactive Abuse?”https://www.thehotline.org/resources/what-is-reactive-abuse/National Domestic Violence Hotline — “Is Abuse Really a ‘Cycle’?”https://www.thehotline.org/resources/is-abuse-really-a-cycle/National Domestic Violence Hotline — Commonly Used Terms When Discussing Domestic Violencehttps://www.thehotline.org/resources/commonly-used-terms-when-discussing-domestic-violence/If you or someone you know is experiencing relationship abuse, the National Domestic Violence Hotline offers confidential support 24/7 at 800-799-SAFE (7233) or by texting START to 88788.Have thoughts about Season 5 or an idea for another deep dive? Email me at [email protected]’s All Happening — everything everyone’s talking about today.Go forth and yapp responsibly.