A Public Outing Sparks Speculation
Dakota Mortensen, known for his appearance on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, has been spotted in public with Shinia Powell, reigniting rumors of a romantic connection. The 33-year-old was photographed with Powell on Thursday, July 23, at The Ballpark at America First Square in South Jordan, Utah.
According to reports, the two were seen enjoying a baseball game while seated on the lawn. In several images, Mortensen is seen with his arm around Powell, and in another, the pair appear relaxed while lounging on a blanket. Both were dressed casually, coordinating their look with cream-colored baseball caps.
From Friendship to Romance
This recent sighting follows growing reports that the two have transitioned from a long-standing friendship into a romantic relationship. Sources suggest their bond strengthened during the period of uncertainty surrounding Mortensen’s relationship with his former partner, Taylor Frankie Paul, 32. The two share a young son, Ever, born in early 2024.
The rekindled interest in their status comes as a point of controversy, particularly given the history depicted on the Hulu reality series. During the show’s fourth season, Mortensen faced significant criticism from Paul for his involvement with Powell, who was introduced to the series as a close friend of cast member Miranda McWhorter.
In a previous episode, Mortensen acknowledged the impact of his past choices, stating:
«I do just want to say sorry for everything that I did. I know that caused a lot of problems. I’m sorry for hooking up with Shinia. Was it dumb of me? Yes. Could I have picked someone else? Yes. I picked somebody that was obviously going to come with problems, and that was very s*y of me to do.»
Custody Battle Complications
The reports of a romance coincide with a complex and ongoing legal battle between Mortensen and Paul regarding the custody of their son. Earlier this year, both parties were granted restraining orders against one another following allegations of domestic disputes. While Mortensen was initially awarded temporary custody in March, Paul has since regained additional parenting time.
The situation escalated recently when Utah’s Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) filed a petition in juvenile court regarding Paul’s three children, seeking protective supervision and the appointment of a guardian ad litem. Paul addressed the development in a public statement, noting that she views the involvement of the juvenile court as a constructive step toward achieving stability for her family.
Conversely, Mortensen and Paul’s ex-husband, Tate Paul, issued a joint response through their attorney. They expressed deep concern, arguing that the gravity of the DCFS intervention should not be minimized and emphasizing the need for better coordination between the family court system, law enforcement, and child-welfare agencies to ensure the safety of the children involved.