Showbiz

Mormon Wives Return Teased Amid Scandal

Taylor Frankie Paul's costars sent fans buzzing after sharing cryptic social media posts hinting that The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives could be gearing up for a...

Mormon Wives Return Teased Amid Scandal
BN

Bintano News

March 26, 2026

Advertisement

Taylor Frankie Paul's costars sent fans buzzing after sharing cryptic social media posts hinting that The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives could be gearing up for a dramatic return.

The hit reality series was thrown into uncertainty after production on Season 5 was abruptly halted amid a  Paul and her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.

The drama extended beyond the Hulu series, as Pau, 31, l had also been set to star in an upcoming season of , with the planned premiere scrapped after resurfaced footage tied to a .

ABC ultimately pulled the plug on the season before it could air, shifting attention back to the fate of Mormon Wives.

Now, co-stars Mayci Neeley and Layla Taylor have fueled speculation of a return after posting cryptic messages that suggest cameras could soon be rolling again.

Neeley, 31, and Taylor, 25, both reshared an article regarding costar Jessi Draper’s Call Her Daddy podcast interview, where Draper, 33, expressed hope that Mormon Wives filming could resume… and the duo added some intriguing captions of their own.

Taylor Frankie Paul's costars sent fans buzzing after sharing cryptic social media posts hinting that The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives could be gearing up for a dramatic return; (pictured 2024)

Layla Taylor fueled speculation of a return after posting cryptic messages that suggest cameras could soon be rolling again

Mayci Neeley reshared an article regarding costar Jessi Draper’s Call Her Daddy podcast interview, where Draper, 33, expressed hope that Mormon Wives filming could resume

Neeley reshared the piece writing, 'We’re ready,' alongside a video camera emoji. She added, 'It’s time to take back Barbieland,' a cheeky nod to the hit 2023 Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie.

Advertisement

Taylor, meanwhile, reshared the same article and wrote, 'Let’s do this girls!!!' 

Taylor reshared the article and wrote, 'Let’s do this girls!!!'

Neeley reshared the piece writing, 'We’re ready,' alongside a video camera emoji. She added, 'It’s time to take back Barbieland'

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. 

'Releasing an old video, which conveniently omits context, on their son’s birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior.'

But just two days before the video was made public, Mortensen filed for a protective order in , citing a new alleged incident that took place in February 2026, per the outlet.

In a statement, Mortensen's representative said that 'his number one priority' is protecting their son, Ever.

'[Mortensen] knew there was a possibility [the alleged domestic assault] 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 statement said.

'It's been really hard to achieve that, but he wants to co-parent well.'

According to the filing, the altercation occurred at Paul’s home, with their two-year-old son Ever present. 

Advertisement

But just two days before the video was made public, Paul's ex Dakota Mortensen filed for a protective order in Utah, citing a new alleged incident that took place in February 2026

Mortensen claims that a verbal argument escalated into a physical confrontation where Paul allegedly choked him. 

He claims he had to physically remove her hands from his neck, after which she shoved him into a window and struck him.

As part of his filing, he has requested temporary custody of Ever and asked for Paul to be prohibited from drinking or using drugs during her parenting time 

On March 16, the Draper City Police Department confirmed to People that Paul and Mortensen are connected to an open 'domestic assault investigation.'

'Allegations have been made in both directions,' a spokesman for the department told the publication, adding, 'Contact was made with involved parties on [February] 24 and 25.'

Paul attended a press preview for her season of The Bachelorette on March 17 and called the situation a 'heavy time' to People.

'Honestly, just like, my heart hurts to see it, to go through it, especially at this time,' she said. '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.'

'It’s a heavy time, and it’s unfortunate,' she added. 'I’m struggling for sure, but also at the same time I feel like if I don’t show up, then I’m just giving these opportunities away and not enjoying what we’ve worked on and something super exciting that’s coming. I just feel like it was the right thing to do... show up even though it’s hard.'

She also told EW that she and Mortensen are currently ‘not in contact’ and are using a 'third party' for all communications and exchanges of their son.

Advertisement

But just hours after her statements, Mortensen’s representative fired back, telling EW, 'His number one priority here is protecting their son, Ever,' while also denying any suggestion that he was the one responsible for the investigation going public.

'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.

The bodycam video from the night of the incident, obtained by The Daily Mail in 2023, shows how the evening ended 

Paul was arrested and charged with three misdemeanors: assault, criminal mischief, and domestic violence in the presence of a child, according to Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office records 

'It's been really hard to achieve that, but he wants to co-parent well,' Mortensen's representative insists, adding that he was hoping the situation would calm down on its own.

'He was just hoping that if he says nothing, as he usually does, it would go away. He's never done any kind of sit-down interview about his side,' the rep continued.

'He kind of just lets it all happen to him, and I think he realizes with the severity of everything now that he just can't do that.'

Over the past few years, Paul and Mortensen have broken up and gotten back together on several occasions.

During Season 4 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Paul briefly explored a romance with another man but later slept with Mortensen while in Los Angeles. They also had another encounter before she left to film The Bachelorette.

In an UsWeekly interview, Paul described their relationship as a ‘cycle,’ saying, ‘It’s been hard to get out.’

Advertisement

When asked how she reassured the Bachelorette contestants that she was ready to move on from her ex.

'I made the decision to leave for two months and try. I reassured them that was why I was here,' she said.

The publication also asked Paul if viewers might question if she was still 'hung up on Dakota.'

'That’s completely valid to think that and to see that. It took me making those decisions (with Dakota) to be ready for something else. A lot of these decisions aren’t the best, but I think I’m so open with it and honest, and even as many times as I backtracked, I still am open. Something I’ve (also) learned over the course of time is being OK being misunderstood,' she said.

In the wake of the investigation involving Paul and Mortensen, filming for Season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has been paused.

The ongoing investigation has also impacted The Bachelorette's brand partnerships.

On March 17, Cinnabon announced it was ending its collaboration with both Paul and the ABC show, despite having previously promoted new products tied to the series.

'Cinnabon has made the decision to terminate its collaboration with The Bachelorette and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,' the company said in a statement.

'Recent developments and allegations surrounding the lead cast member led us to reassess this collaboration as it no longer aligns with our brand values.'

Advertisement

More

More Entertainment Buzz

Recommended Content