Shivangi Sinha
Hulu’s ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ is where viewers first saw the relationship between Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen unfold. The drama, turbulence, and chaos surrounding their romance have long been central to the show, and seasons 4 and 5 were no exception. Although the two are no longer together as a couple, their lives remain intertwined because of their shared parenting responsibilities. One of the biggest questions surrounding Taylor was whether she would finally be able to move on from Dakota and begin a new chapter in her life.
Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen’s Back-and-Forth Relationship Caused a Lot of Friction With Her Friends
Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen first began their relationship in 2022, following her divorce from her former husband, Tate Paul. Early in their relationship, they experienced a difficult period when Taylor went through a pregnancy loss. In early 2023, their relationship faced another serious challenge when Dakota filed assault charges against her. However, just a few months later, the two reconciled. After the legal matters were settled, they moved forward together and eventually welcomed their child, Ever, who was born in March 2024. For a time, their co-parenting arrangement and relationship seemed to be going well. However, things took a turn when Taylor discovered that Dakota had allegedly cheated on her with a woman named Jenna.
Hurt by the betrayal, Taylor ended the relationship. Despite the breakup, they remained connected through their child, which meant they continued to see each other regularly. There were several moments when Taylor struggled with her feelings and found herself drawn back to him. Her friends and family often encouraged her to keep her distance from Dakota, but since he was also part of the DadTok circle, avoiding him completely proved difficult. In season 4, as Taylor prepared to potentially join the cast of ‘The Bachelorette,’ her friends urged her to see it as an opportunity to move on from Dakota. Still, the situation remained complicated. When she later discovered that Dakota had gone on a date with Shinia Powell without telling her, she felt deeply hurt and angry.
Shortly before Taylor was set to leave, the two spent one last night together. Upon her return from filming the dating show, Taylor immediately called Dakota, and the two got back together. In season 5, she admitted that she had cheated on her current fiancé, Doug Mason. Her friends were not pleased with her decision and urged her to end what they described as a “toxic cycle” with the father of her child. Taylor even got into a few fights while defending her decision and ultimately told them that she was going to follow through this time. However, before her season of ‘The Bachelorette‘ was released, a video of Taylor and Dakota’s 2023 fight was leaked, showing an alleged physical altercation between the two. Taylor told her friends that Dakota had called CPS on her and admitted that she had been wrong to trust Dakota all along.
Taylor and Dakota Are Not on Speaking Terms With Each Other
Taylor and Dakota have not been an official couple since 2025, but their relationship has remained ever so intertwined. Along with being co-parents, they have also struggled with feelings for one another and kept going back again and again. In March 2026, when Taylor’s video was leaked, it led to an investigation into her, and her season of ‘The Bachelorette’ was pulled in the middle of the controversy. Dakota filed for a temporary restraining order and was granted sole custody of their son, Ever, in March 2026. In a follow-up custody hearing in April 2026, Taylor was granted supervised visitation. She herself filed for a restraining order against her ex-boyfriend in the same month, and it was granted. From reports, it is believed that Taylor and Dakota are only communicating with each other through family members. They remain in the middle of a custody battle. In July 2026, Taylor’s parent time with her son was expanded once again.
While Taylor has not addressed things directly, Dakota said, “I regret not stepping away from a difficult cycle sooner. I’m not perfect, and I take accountability for my part. I’m sincerely sorry to those I’ve hurt. At the same time, I don’t agree with how this situation has been portrayed publicly. It does not reflect the full context of what occurred or the impact it has had on me and my son.” Both of them also seem to have moved on romantically, and are not even socially connected with one another. Dakota has been dating Shinia Powell since January 2026, while Taylor has been linked to several people and is rumored to be dating again. It seems like this one incident has finally broken off a relationship that caused a lot of hurt for both of them.
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Taylor is a Popular Digital Creator and Dakota is Running a Tiling Business
As the leader of the MomTok group, Taylor Frankie Paul has become one of the most recognizable faces of the community across various social media platforms. Her personal digital presence is especially strong, with millions of followers on Instagram who closely follow her life, content, and updates. With her appearance on ‘The Bachelorette’ season 22, Taylor has also introduced her reality TV journey to a wider audience. Despite the attention and scrutiny that comes with it, she continues to handle it gracefully while regularly sharing moments from her life and collaborations with fellow cast members. Her two other kids, Indy and Ocean, are her priority, and she makes sure that she is there for them at all costs.
Dakota Mortensen, known for his presence within the DadTok community, has also built his own professional path outside of social media. He owns Basin Tiling, a business that offers services in Idaho and Utah. While he maintains a public presence online, the role that defines him most is that of a father. Much of his content and daily life revolves around parenting and family and it shows the importance he places on being present and involved in his child’s life.
