Dakota Mortensen will reportedly be edited out of the forthcoming season of Vanderpump Villa after he and his ex-girlfriend, Taylor Frankie Paul, became involved in a domestic violence investigation.
Mortensen, who rose to fame on the Hulu reality series Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, appeared as a guest star during filming for Vanderpump Villa season three in autumn but his storyline will be redacted, according to Variety. The Independent has contacted Disney and Mortensen for comment.
It comes after ABC pulled Taylor Frankie Paul’s upcoming season of The Bachelorette just days before its scheduled release, in response to a video that surfaced appearing to show her attacking Mortensen in a 2023 incident that led to an arrest.
The statement from a Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson read at the time: “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.”
The Bachelorette cancellation came after authorities confirmed they were investigating a second allegation of domestic assault regarding Paul and Mortensen.
The Draper City Police Department said that “allegations have been made in both directions” and “contact was made with involved parties on [February] 24th and 25th” but no charges have been filed yet.
A week later, West Jordan Police Department in Utah was said to be investigating a third allegation of domestic violence, involving Paul and Mortensen.
The pair have been in an on-again, off-again relationship throughout the show. In the series premiere of the show in 2024, Paul was arrested for aggravated assault and put on probation after getting into a physical fight with Mortensen.
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After Paul’s Bachelorette season was pulled, her representatives said in a statement that she was grateful for ABC’s support and that she would be “prioritizing her family’s safety and security.”
“After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm,” the statement said. It is not known whether ABC plans to air Paul’s season at a later date.
After the video of the 2023 incident surfaced, a representative for Mortensen told Entertainment Weekly on March 18: “His number one priority here is protecting [their 1-year-old son], Ever.”
“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. “It’s been really hard to achieve that, but he wants to co-parent well.”
He is set to appear in a YouTube reality competition series produced by Alex Cooper, streaming on April 6.
The pair rose to fame on Secret Lives of Mormon Wives — Hulu’s most-watched unscripted premiere of 2024 — which was commissioned in the wake of the viral “soft swinging” scandal that happened between a group of influencers, all mothers and all current or former of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
They started dating in 2022 and welcomed their son, Ever True Mortensen, in March 2024. They split up that September.
The national domestic abuse helpline offers support for women on 0808 2000 247, or you can visit the Refuge website. There is a dedicated men’s advice line on 0808 8010 327. Those in the US can call the domestic violence hotline on 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org
