In an unexpected twist of events, Taylor Frankie Paul’s past relationships collided in an unexpected encounter at a Utah courthouse. This meeting took place just two days before the shocking revelation that Paul had been dropped from “The Bachelorette,” following a domestic violence controversy.
The 31-year-old television figure was initially poised to join the next season of the popular dating series. However, ABC decided to pull her participation after a 2023 video emerged, showing a physical altercation with her former boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen. The footage’s release led to a wave of public scrutiny.
Amid the unfolding drama, Paul released a statement expressing her gratitude for the support she has received. Her representative further asserted that Paul is, in fact, a victim in this unfolding saga.
Earlier this week, her ex-husband, Tate Paul, and Mortensen were seen unexpectedly crossing paths at a courthouse on Tuesday. Observers noted that the two engaged in a discussion in the lobby area.
Sources revealed to TMZ that both men were there to file for protective orders against Paul. Witnesses described their encounter as unplanned, suggesting it was mere chance that both appeared at the court on the same day.
Eyewitnesses also said that Tate and Mortensen’s meeting did not appear planned and was instead a coincidence that they were at the court the same day.
Taylor Frankie Paul’s exes were spotted running into each other at a Utah court just two days before her shock axing from The Bachelorette amid a domestic violence scandal; seen in 2024 in NYC
Her ex-husband Tate Paul and Mortensen were seen crossing paths at a courthouse earlier this week on Tuesday
Both arrived separately to the courthouse alone without lawyers and left at different times.
Daily Mail has reached out to Paul, Tate and Mortensen for comment, but did not immediately hear back.
Mortensen reportedly filed for a protective order on Tuesday, citing a new alleged incident that took place in February, according TMZ.
He claimed that a verbal argument turned into a physical confrontation, where Paul allegedly choked him.
Mortensen alleged that he had to physically remove her hands from his neck, after which she shoved him into a window and struck him.
Describing the situation as ‘chaotic’ and ‘frightening,’ Mortensen said their son woke up from the commotion, which included Paul screaming and yelling, according to TMZ.
In the petition, Mortensen also referenced Paul’s previous 2023 arrest for assault.
As part of his filing, he has requested temporary custody of their two-year-old son Ever and asked for Paul to be prohibited from drinking or using drugs during her parenting time.
The pair held a conversation in the lobby while sources told TMZ that they both paid a visit to the courthouse in order to obtain protective orders against Paul
Eyewitnesses also said that Tate and Mortensen’s meeting did not appear planned and was instead a coincidence that they were at the court the same day
Mortensen reportedly filed for a protective order on Tuesday, citing a new alleged incident that took place in February, according TMZ
He claimed that a verbal argument turned into a physical confrontation, where Paul allegedly choked him
Describing the situation as ‘chaotic’ and ‘frightening,’ Mortensen said their son woke up from the commotion, which included Paul screaming and yelling, according to TMZ
In the petition, Mortensen also referenced Paul’s previous 2023 arrest for assault
Paul has since broken her silence following her Bachelorette cancellation amid the domestic violence scandal.
ABC shelved Paul’s upcoming season of The Bachelorette after video of her fighting Mortensen in 2023 came to light – a recording that later became crucial evidence in a case in which she ultimately pleaded guilty to aggravated assault.
The video, published by TMZ, followed news Paul and Mortensen were involved in another domestic assault investigation, with police saying ‘allegations have been made in both directions.’
Additionally, TMZ also reported that the latest domestic assault allegations may have put Paul into further legal jeopardy in regards to her 2023 case.
A representative for Paul says the reality star is ‘grateful’ for the support she has been receiving from ABC as she ‘prioritizes her family’s safety and security.’
In a statement obtained by People, her rep alleged Paul was actually the victim, claiming she had been ‘silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation’ for years.
The statement claims Paul is now ‘gaining the strength to face her accuser’ and is taking action to ensure she and her children will be safe from ‘further harm.’
‘There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives,’ the rep continued.
The video, published by TMZ, followed news Paul and Mortensen were involved in another domestic assault investigation, with police saying ‘allegations have been made in both directions’
The statement claims Paul is now ‘gaining the strength to face her accuser’ and is taking action to ensure she and her children will be safe from ‘further harm’
The rep claimed Paul had been staying quiet ‘out of fear of further abuse, retaliation, and pubic shaming’ and is now ‘seeking support’, going through her options and ‘preparing to own and share her story.’
The latest domestic assault allegations may have landed Paul into further hot legal water over her 2023 case.
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill has now told TMZ that they are looking to determine if the new assault accusations may have violated her ongoing probation from that particular case.
Mortensen has since denied ‘baseless claims’ made about himself and their relationship in a new statement for The Daily Mail.
In a statement, he said: ‘As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation. I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny.
‘I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same.’
The decision to cancel Paul’s season of The Bachelorette came hours after TMZ published video of the reality TV star apparently fighting with her ex-partner, Dakota Mortensen, in 2023.
In the video, Paul is seen repeatedly attacking Mortensen, with the video later becoming crucial evidence in a 2023 case in which she ultimately pleaded guilty to aggravated assault.
The latest domestic assault allegations may have landed Paul into further hot legal water over her 2023 case
The decision to cancel Paul’s season of The Bachelorette came hours after TMZ published video of the reality TV star apparently fighting with her ex-partner, Dakota Mortensen, in 2023
Paul’s season of The Bachelorette was scheduled to begin on Sunday.
A Disney Entertainment spokesman told TMZ: ‘In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family.’
In the footage, she is seen having an outburst, throwing a stool at Mortensen, while a child, her daughter Indy, now eight, was present.
Mortensen, who was filming the incident, said in the clip: ‘This is called physical abuse.’
The child can be heard crying as Mortensen and Paul continued fighting. Mortensen then said, ‘Your daughter just got hit in the head by a metal chair.’
Paul – a mother of three – was arrested after an alleged domestic violence incident in 2023 and pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in the third degree.
In response to the resurfaced footage, Paul’s representative told the Daily Mail, ‘It’s sad to see the latest installment of his never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor without any regard for the consequences for their child.
Filming for The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives has also reportedly been put on pause amid the allegations against Paul
The TV personality was previously married to Tate Paul from 2016 until their split in 2022. The former couple share two children: Indy, eight, and Ocean, five
‘Releasing an old video, which conveniently omits context, on their son’s birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior.’
Filming for The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives has also reportedly been put on pause amid the allegations against Paul.
The TV personality was previously married to Tate Paul from 2016 until their split in 2022. The former couple share two children: Indy, eight, and Ocean, five.
Later that same year, she began dating Mortensen but in 2025, Paul stated on the Call Her Daddy podcast that their relationship was ‘over.’
