The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives cast raised concerns about Taylor Frankie Paul‘s alleged domestic violence in a meeting with ABC executives, per a report from NBC News.
According to audio from a Zoom meeting obtained by the outlet, cast members from the Hulu reality show told ABC executives on Mar. 7 they had concerns about continuing the show if Paul—widely regarded as the group’s leader—remained involved.
The roughly 30-minute Zoom meeting followed an alleged incident involving Paul and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen. A spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department confirmed earlier this week that there is an open “domestic assault investigation” regarding the two.
The spokesperson confirmed “allegations have been made in both directions” and “contact was made with involved parties on [Feb] 24th and 25th,” but declined to share any further details.
During the call, the cast is said to have voiced concerns over the future of their careers, the show’s brand, and the allegations surrounding Paul and Mortensen.
One cast member said they did not feel comfortable filming while Paul is being investigated.
“It’s a dangerous situation, it’s a sad situation, and we don’t know how to navigate it, because Taylor is our friend,” the cast member said during the meeting.
NBC reports that a source with knowledge of the situation told them, “The purpose of the March 7 Zoom was to tell The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives cast that we care about their safety, and they should not feel pressured to do press or film the show.”
“The production company engaged a seasoned law firm to conduct an investigation of the competing and conflicting allegations that Taylor and Dakota had toward one another,” the source continued. “It would have been inappropriate to engage in a dialogue regarding an ongoing investigation.”
The person who shared the recording told NBC that three Disney executives attended the virtual meeting, including Rob Mills, the executive vice president of unscripted and alternative entertainment at Walt Disney Television.
According to NBC, per the audio, cast members provided accounts of Paul’s alleged behavior.
Mills reportedly said on the call, “I don’t know a lot, nor do I want to know too much.”
“This is not me putting my head in the sand, but it’s not me—you know, I don’t want to inquire, because I don’t know what that does,” he allegedly added at a later time.
Several cast members referenced “distressing” and “upsetting” videos of Paul’s alleged conduct, but did not provide details. They did not play the recordings, either.
One cast member called it “concerning” that no one at Disney or Hulu seemed to want to know what was in the videos.
Another cast member also asked Mills if he’s “aware [Taylor] hurt a child?”
On Thursday, Mar. 19, TMZ released a never-before-seen video that appears to show Paul assaulting Mortensen in 2023. In the clip, Paul appears to throw a chair at Mortensen, inadvertently striking her daughter.
“I don’t think for us getting into it is right,” Mills reportedly replied, before stressing that the company is “never going to hide anything that is wrong for the sake of business.”
He is said to have encouraged cast members to voice their concerns while filming the show, but did not promise that what they said wouldn’t be cut in editing.
Mills also denied that Paul was being paid more than the rest of the cast after they raised concerns.
In the end, the cast agreed to pause filming for The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives until legal action plays out.
Mills suggested “staying close” with the cast as the investigation unfolds in hopes of continuing the conversation about the future of the hit reality show.
“I want this to continue, and I want everyone to continue really being successful, both with this show and beyond it,” Mills reportedly said. “But I think really, just navigating through this thing and taking care of each other is the most important thing right now.”
Paul’s season of The Bachelorette was canceled on Mar. 19 amid the ongoing controversy.
Reps for ABC did not immediately respond to Parade‘s request for comment.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of domestic violence, help is available 24 hours a day through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.
