Taylor Frankie Paul is trying to speak about recovery without pretending the last few months have been simple.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star shared a reflective social media post on the final day of Mental Health Awareness Month, saying she is learning from her mistakes while also allowing herself to smile again. TMZ reported that Paul told followers she is still missing her youngest son, Ever, as her custody and parent-time dispute with ex Dakota Mortensen continues.
Paul’s Post Focused on Accountability and Breathing Room
View this post on Instagram
Paul did not frame the post as a clean comeback statement. She wrote about mistakes, emotional exhaustion, and the need to keep some room for humor even while life feels heavy.
The timing was part of the message. By posting on the last day of Mental Health Awareness Month, Paul connected her update to a wider conversation about recovery, public shame, and trying to move forward while people are still watching every step.
Her Son Ever Remains at the Center of the Legal Dispute
Paul shares Ever, 2, with Mortensen. She is also mother to daughter Indy and son Ocean, whom she shares with ex-husband Tate Paul.
People reported that a judge granted Paul up to 12 hours of parent-time per week with Ever after an April 30 hearing, along with additional time on Mother’s Day. TMZ reported that Paul and Mortensen were scheduled to attend another hearing Monday to address future custody and parent-time issues.
The Case Has Already Reshaped Their Public Lives
The dispute between Paul and Mortensen has unfolded across court hearings, social media, and entertainment coverage. People reported that both Paul and Mortensen were granted mutual protective orders for three years after the April 30 hearing.
During that hearing, Commissioner Russell Minas told the former couple they needed to learn how to function as co-parents and emphasized the impact their conflict could have on Ever. The court also ordered them to stay away from each other, which has complicated both their parenting arrangement and their reality-TV future.
Her Reality-TV Future Has Also Changed
View this post on Instagram
Paul’s personal life has had major professional consequences. People reported that production on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives paused in March amid domestic violence investigations involving Paul and Mortensen.
The show has since resumed limited filming, but People reported that the cast is currently filming confessionals and will not complete additional full episodes for season 5 beyond the five already shot before the pause.
Producer Jeff Jenkins later said Paul and Mortensen are both allowed to return to the Hulu series, though they cannot film together because of their protective orders.
The Bachelorette Plan Also Fell Apart
Paul’s reality-TV year had also been set to expand beyond Hulu. She had filmed a season of The Bachelorette, but People reported that ABC called off the season after renewed attention around a 2023 video of an altercation involving Paul and Mortensen.
TMZ said Paul referenced the canceled Bachelorette season and Mormon Wives uncertainty in her new post. Her message suggested she is still processing how quickly the situation affected her family, public image, and career plans.
For now, Paul’s public message is narrow: she says she is trying to learn from her mistakes, find small moments of happiness again, and keep going while she remains limited to court-ordered parent-time with Ever.