Reality star Taylor Frankie Paul has announced her departure from the Mormon church following a period marked by a domestic violence scandal involving her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen. The announcement was made via an emotional Instagram post on Easter Sunday.

Emotional Instagram Post Details Struggles

Paul shared a video montage depicting her struggles, including moments of sadness, bible reading, and reaching out to loved ones. She described the past 40 days as 'hell on earth,' detailing her reliance on prayer and expressing gratitude for the support she received.

Impact on 'The Bachelorette'

This followed the cancellation of her season of 'The Bachelorette' due to the domestic violence incident. Paul revealed she experienced panic attacks and felt her body breaking down under the strain.

Faith and Prayer Amidst Difficulty

Despite the challenges, Paul emphasized her continued belief in God and Christ. She described a shift in her approach to prayer, moving from simply asking for help to expressing gratitude, regardless of her emotional state.

Outpouring of Support

Paul’s Instagram post garnered significant support from fans, who praised her strength and resilience. Her co-star, Jessi Draper, also expressed her love and support.

A Significant Personal Turning Point

The announcement marked a significant personal turning point, as Paul is detaching herself from the church she was raised in. While expressing continued love and respect for the church and her family’s involvement, she stated her decision to no longer be formally associated with it.

Background of the Incident

The context of her departure is deeply intertwined with the domestic violence incident and related fallout, including accusations of a third incident. Dakota Mortensen faced charges and pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in August 2023.

Statements from Representatives

A spokesperson for Paul released a statement highlighting her years of suffering from extensive mental and physical abuse and threats. They emphasized her commitment to protect herself and her children, and expressed gratitude for ABC’s support.

Disney Entertainment Television also released a statement explaining the decision to not move forward with her season of 'The Bachelorette', citing the recent release of a video related to the incident.

Family and Custody

Paul shares two children — Indy, 8, and Ocean, 5 — with ex-husband Tate Paul, and a 1-year-old son, Ever, with Mortensen. The domestic violence incident with Mortensen led to Paul temporarily losing custody of their son, Ever.