Dakota Mortensen has seemingly found himself in a love triangle while filming Unwell Winter Games amid the fallout of an alleged domestic violence incident with ex Taylor Frankie Paul.
“She hooked up with him, then hooked up with me,” Dakota, 33, said in a Tuesday, March 31 trailer for the competition series, after being filmed getting in a hot tub.
In another moment, Dancing with the Stars pro Gleb Savchenko pointed to Dakota and said, “Bad guy,” before pointing at himself and repeating the sentiment. Dakota seemingly responded, “Bad guy,” while nodding and laughing.
News broke on Monday, March 30, that Dakota was cast in Alex Cooper’s new reality show despite his recent legal issues with Taylor, 31.
Dakota Mortensen is breaking his silence after an alleged altercation with Taylor Frankie Paul led to a Secret Lives of Mormon Wives production shutdown. “His number one priority here is protecting [their son], Ever,” a rep for Dakota, 33, told Entertainment Weekly on Wednesday, March 18. “He knew there was a possibility it could come out, […]
“The four-episode series brings together 16 of the most polarizing figures in pop culture to compete in a series of mental and physical challenges over four days, filmed against the backdrop of a luxury chalet in Park City, Utah,” the show’s official description reads. “The show promises fierce competition, unexpected alliances, and the kind of unfiltered drama that has defined Unwell across its programming slate.”
Dakota will also reunite with The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Demi Engemann, Love Island USA star Huda Mustafa, former Dancing With the Stars contestant Anna Delvey, Siesta Key’s Juliette Porter and Love Island alums Ekin Su Cülcüloğlu and Eyal Booker.
Rounding out the cast is influencer Alissa Violet, Bachelor Nation’s Joe Amabile and Serena Pitt, reality TV star Louis Russell, WWE’s Saraya Bevis, influencers Hallie Batchelder, Hannah Stocking and more.
Weeks before Dakota’s casting was revealed, the reality TV star made headlines when reports indicated that he had been involved in a domestic violence incident with Taylor in February. The alleged incident led to season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives halting production.
Dakota Mortensen is continuing to share his side of the story amid the investigation into him and ex Taylor Frankie Paul. “As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation,” Dakota, 33, tells Us Weekly in a Thursday, March 19, statement. “I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me […]
A spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department in Utah confirmed to Us Weekly at the time that there was an open “domestic assault investigation” concerning the pair, with allegations “made in both directions.”
Days later, TMZ released footage from a 2023 incident of Taylor physically assaulting and throwing multiple chairs at Dakota while in the presence of her daughter. ABC then announced their plan to pull Taylor’s season 22 of The Bachelorette. (Taylor was arrested following the 2023 incident and charged with aggravated assault, domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse and criminal mischief. She pleaded guilty to felony aggravated assault in exchange for the other charges being dropped.)
“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,” a Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson told Us in a statement at the time.
Taylor, for her part, shared in a statement via her rep that she is “very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security.” (Taylor shares daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5 with ex-husband Tate Paul. She’s also the mom of son Ever, 2, with Dakota.)
Taylor Frankie Paul’s ex Dakota Mortensen has seemingly reacted to news of her casting as the next Bachelorette. “Had so many curve balls today and every time I am always reminded there is nothing more important than God and family ❤️,” Dakota, 32, wrote via his Instagram Stories on Wednesday, September 10, alongside a selfie. […]
“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 rep said. “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. Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation and public shaming. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support and preparing to own and share her story.”
Dakota broke his silence on the footage in a separate statement.
“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,” he said. “I am focusing on our son and his safety and hope that Taylor will do the same.”
Dakota has since been granted a temporary protective order against Taylor and temporary custody of their son, per court documents obtained by Us.
NBC News has subsequently reported that Utah’s West Jordan Police Department is looking into claims made by Dakota after an alleged domestic dispute in 2024 with Taylor. He allegedly contacted authorities last month regarding the alleged incident.
The West Jordan Police Department spokesperson confirmed authorities are reviewing video footage connected to the alleged incident, but declined to give further details to NBC News due to the ongoing investigation. Us reached out to the West Jordan Police Department and representatives for both Taylor and Dakota for comment at the time.
Unwell Winter Games airs exclusively on Unwell’s YouTube documentary starting Monday, April 6.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
