Taylor Frankie Paul is sharing details about her challenging relationship with former partner Dakota Mortensen, as the pair navigates a custody dispute and the halt of her Bachelorette season.
“It’s so sad because nobody wants to be like this. I hate that I am no longer myself. I hate that I stayed for so long,” the 31-year-old wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post on Thursday, May 14. “I blame nobody more than my own damn self, because how did I allow this for my kids and myself for so long? I’m sorry to THEM. I don’t need to log off and remain silent. I’ve already admitted in court I’m fully NOT INNOCENT, I know that. None of it is okay, period.”
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star elaborated, saying she has been in survival mode for years, facing miscarriages, pregnancy, postpartum issues, and betrayal. She noted that she was afraid to ask for help because she was reminded that she might face consequences due to her probation status.
“Imagine being pregnant & postpartum healing internally and too scared to ask for help or at the very least speak about it and he knew he had that advantage, which gave him MORE access to do whatever, knowing I’d remain silent,” Taylor alleged. She described a pattern where she felt she was being gaslit, eventually realizing she was not the one at fault.
“The difference between us, my love was real for him without gaining anything, and people know that,” Taylor wrote. “I wish he had been the person he pretended to be. The mask fell off, and not only with me.”
Taylor also addressed her relationship with costar Mikayla Matthews, who has recently distanced herself. She mentioned that she wanted to take time to process her feelings before sharing them publicly.
The news of the show’s cancellation came in March, after footage of a 2023 domestic violence incident involving Taylor and Dakota surfaced. Taylor had pleaded guilty to third-degree felony aggravated assault and remains on probation. Two separate police investigations into other alleged disputes did not lead to charges.
In an April statement, Dakota expressed regret, saying, “I regret not stepping away from the difficult cycle sooner. I’m not perfect, and I take accountability for my part.”