Mikayla Matthews Says Taylor Frankie Paul Has 'Common Theme' of 'Ruining' Her Opportunities for Ex Dakota Mortensen and Other Men

Zoey LyttleWed, March 18, 2026 at 5:50 PM UTC

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Mikayla Matthews; Taylor Frankie Paul; Dakota Mortensen.Credit: Araya Doheny/Getty; Disney/Fred Hayes; Araya Doheny/Getty -

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Mikayla Matthews and Mayci Neeley appeared on a podcast and discussed the show's recently released season 4, including what was shown of their costar Taylor Frankie Paul

The podcast was recorded prior to news breaking about domestic assault allegations involving Paul and her ex, Dakota Mortensen

PEOPLE previously confirmed that Mormon Wives has halted filming; however, Paul's season of The Bachelorette is set to premiere on March 22

Taylor Frankie Paul's costars are pointing out patterns they've observed over the course of four seasons on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.

Mikayla Matthews and Mayci Neeley appeared on the Comments by Celebs podcast on Tuesday, March 17, days after their hit reality show's season 4 premiere. The latest installment follows Paul in the lead-up to her season on The Bachelorette, which is set to premiere on Sunday, March 22, on ABC. As she prepared for the new experience, the MomTok star also dealt with her on-and-off relationship with ex Dakota Mortensen, with whom she shares 1-year-old son Ever.

Days after the season 4 premiere, multiple sources confirmed to PEOPLE that the show halted filming for season 5 following domestic assault allegations involving Paul and Mortensen. The Comments by Celebs episode description notes that it was "recorded prior to the Taylor/Dakota news" breaking this week.

During the podcast, hosts Emma Diamond and Julie Kramer offered their thoughts from a viewer's perspective in discussion with Neeley and Matthews. At one point, the pop culture commentators said that the cast seemed "more concerned with The Bachelorette of it all" than Paul did, and both reality stars agreed.

Taylor Frankie Paul at "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" season 2 premiere on May 9, 2025.Credit: JC Olivera/Variety via Getty

"I think that's kind of been a common theme with her," said Matthews, adding her belief that "anyone who's going through a stressful period of time in their life" might behave similarly.

"It's hard for me to focus on these things, where Mayci would be like, 'Oh my gosh, Mikayla, this is so important. Focus on this' ... And I feel like that's kind of what we do with Taylor. Of course, we always want the best for our friends and opportunities," Matthews continued.

"Taylor's been in this way for a while, that she's been ruining her opportunities for Dakota, for these men, because she's not healed," she added, "I think it kind of showed that side of us just wanting to be good friends. Like, have this opportunity, get your healing, be happy. And for her, it's like she's still stuck in this toxic cycle with Dakota."

Following the news that the cast paused production on season 5, a spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE that there is an open "domestic assault investigation" regarding Paul and Mortensen. The spokesperson confirmed "allegations have been made in both directions" and "contact was made with involved parties on [Feb] 24th and 25th." The spokesperson declined to share more amid the ongoing investigation.

She was previously arrested for alleged domestic violence in 2023 following an argument with Mortensen. She was accused of throwing a chair at Mortensen, which allegedly hit her daughter. She was charged with misdemeanor charges of assault, criminal mischief and commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child.

Paul pled guilty in abeyance to aggravated assault, which means that if she complies with the conditions of the plea, that charge will be dismissed. Meanwhile, the other charges have already been dismissed.

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Despite police involvement, multiple sources have told PEOPLE that the exes continue to co-parent their 1-year-old son, Ever, with Paul having majority custody. Paul also shares two kids — Indy, 8, and Ocean, 5 — with her ex-husband, Tate Paul.

"His number one priority here is protecting [their 1-year-old son], Ever," a rep for Mortensen told Entertainment Weekly on March 18.

"He knew there was a possibility it could come out, but he was not going to be the one to proactively do that because he has always wanted a decent relationship with Taylor," the rep continued. "It's been really hard to achieve that, but he wants to co-parent well."

A source close to the mom of three previously denied to PEOPLE that the reality TV star was “violent” during the February incidents and said that she remains “focused” on the upcoming Bachelorette premiere. She broke her silence following the news of the investigation at a press preview of her dating show stint on March 17.

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"Honestly, just like, my heart hurts to see it, to go through it, especially at this time," she told PEOPLE exclusively. "Just the timing is hard, and it's a big deal. I feel like every premiere that I've experienced, I've never enjoyed fully, so this is another one... it's extremely hard, and it took everything to get me here today."

Those close to Paul are reportedly concerned for her, as a source with knowledge of the situation told PEOPLE. The insider claimed Paul calls Mortensen “all the time,” often between the hours of 10 p.m. and 3 a.m.

“We’re all worried for Taylor’s well-being,” said the source. “We want Taylor to get the help she needs.”

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”