‘Mormon Wives’ Star Taylor Frankie Paul: 'When You Play With Fire You Get Burned...Eventually'

Hulu’s new streaming show The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is generating huge buzz before its Sept. 6 premiere.

The series took shape following a social media scandal in 2022 that consumed the internet involving MomTok, a group of Mormon women in Utah who mostly danced in choreographed TikTok videos.

All was well until MomTok member Taylor Frankie Paul went viral for revealing that she and her husband were getting a divorce—after they’d engaged in “soft swinging” with her friend group.

Related: Everything to Know About The Secret Life of Mormon Wives

She never named the pals involved and claims none of her Secret Lives co-stars were soft swining with her now-ex-husband Tate Paul. Her revelations sent MomTok into a tizzy, with group members denying they ever took part in “soft swinging.”

For the uninitiated, "soft swinging" is non-penetrative sexual relations outside of one's marriage. "I didn't come up with the term, but it's where you don't fully swing," Taylor tells Parade.

The social media influencer who boasts millions of TikTok followers hit the headlines again after she was arrested in February 2023 on domestic violence charges after a fight with her boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen.

Hulu created the eight-part The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives to follow the aftermath of Taylor’s scandals as well as her lifestyle and her MomTok friends—Mayci Neely, Whitney Leavitt, Layla Taylor, Demi Engemann, Mikayla Matthews, Jen Affleck and Jessi Ngatikaura.

The show is expected to generate fresh controversy, as the Mormon ladies’ behavior often appears to violate the conservative religion’s culture.

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives stars recently sat down with Parade to share the scoop about what viewers will see. Here's more from our chat with Taylor Frankie Paul.

"I feel like [the scandal] taught me a lot through everything I went through in that time," she says. "I don't want to say the word regretful, but I wish I would've done things differently in my marriage and in my friend group for sure.

“When you play with fire, you get burned eventually,” she says of her journey.

What was it like getting arrested?

In February 2023, Taylor was charged with aggravated assault, child abuse, criminal mischief and domestic violence in the presence of a child. She pleaded guilty in September 2023 to aggravated assault, KTVX reported, and the rest of the charges against her were dropped.

“That was one of the worst nights of my life,” Taylor told Parade.com. “I do talk a lot about that on the show. It’s a hard topic and emotional because it’s very embarrassing and something I’m not proud of but with that being said, that night also turned my life around because I hit rock bottom and I finally got the help I needed. I went into classes with parenting. I haven’t drank alcohol since that very night so it’s been really good for me as well."

Who is Taylor Frankie Paul's ex-husband?

Taylor Frankie Paul, 30, was married to Tate Paul from 2016-2022. Their marriage ended when she announced in 2022 on TikTok that their picture-perfect marriage was not so perfect. Their "soft swinging" lifestyle ultimately led to divorce. They were married from 2016-2022.

Is Taylor Frankie Paul married now?

Taylor Frankie Paul is not married but she's in a committed monogamous relationship with Dakota Mortensen.

“I definitely love him a lot," she tells Parade. "We came into this relationship with a lot of baggage, and it’s been really hard to work through…it’s been rocky but I choose him always."

Who is Dakota Mortensen?

The Hulu series reveals Dakota is recovering from drug addiction. The two argue constantly on camera. But viewers will see a happy ending as Taylor gives birth to the couple's first child. They are attending couple's therapy to work through their issues.

Is Dakota Mortensen a good dad?

"[Dakota] has been amazing with my children and has loved them so unconditionally, which is really crazy to see a man to love other children that aren't his," she tells Parade. "Especially with what we've gone through. I haven't been like the easiest partner and he still has loved my kids through all of that and treated them so good."

How many children does Taylor Frankie Paul have?

Taylor Frankie Paul has three children. Two with ex-husband Tate Paul and one with current partner Dakota Mortensen.

Taylor Frankie Paul children

Indy May Paul (Aug. 31, 2017)

Taylor and Tate Paul welcomed their first child, a daughter named Indy, in 2017, shortly after they married in 2016. When she arrived, Taylor shared an ecstatic post on Instagram: "She is perfection and we are so obsessed with our baby girl."

Ocean Paul

Ocean Paul arrived at the start of the pandemic in June 2020.

Ever True Mortensen (March 19, 2024)

Taylor and Dakota announced they were expecting in September 2023—10 months after Taylor experienced a miscarriage. The couple's first child together arrived in March 19.

"I love my new baby. I think he came at a time that I needed it and I'm so thankful for him," she tells Parade. "Dakota's an amazing dad. I always knew he would be. That's something I never questioned."

All 8 episodes of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives will be available Sept. 6 on Hulu.

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