Taylor Frankie Paul's Ex, Dakota Mortensen, Reacts to Her 'Bachelorette' Casting
Taylor Frankie Paul, star of "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," has been announced as the lead for Season 22 of ABC's "The Bachelorette." Her ex, Dakota Mortensen, has shared his reaction to the news via Instagram and TikTok, offering a glimpse into his feelings about Paul's new venture.
Mortensen's Initial Reaction
Following the announcement on "Call Her Daddy," Dakota Mortensen posted a reflective message on his Instagram Stories. He wrote, "Had so many curve balls today and everytime [sic] I am always reminded there is nothing more important than God and family. Life is to [sic] short." This initial reaction suggests a focus on personal values amidst the news.
The TikTok Comment
Mortensen also left a comment on a TikTok clip featuring Paul discussing their past relationship. In the clip, Paul admitted to host Alex Cooper that she and Mortensen might have "hooked up" as recently as Stagecoach. Mortensen responded to her ambiguity with, "1 or 2 times....Got it lol," indicating a potentially sarcastic or amused reaction to Paul's account.
Paul's Perspective on Mortensen's Reaction
On the "Call Her Daddy" episode, Paul stated she did not give Mortensen a heads-up about her casting on "The Bachelorette." She speculated that his reaction would be "probably sad," adding, "If anything he says is real, I would say sad." Paul also acknowledged that seeing her date or hook up with someone else would be difficult for him, as they’ve had a famously on-and-off relationship.
Background on Paul and Mortensen's Relationship
Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen's relationship became public after Paul's divorce from her then-husband, Tate Paul, following a "soft-swinging" scandal in June 2022. Their relationship has been turbulent since September 2022. In March 2024, they welcomed a son, Ever True. Paul also has two other children, Indy and Ocean, with her ex-husband.
Paul's Struggle to Move On
Paul has been open about the challenges of ending her relationship with Mortensen. She described the summer after their split as "one of the hardest summers I ever had because I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, Taylor, you have to accept that you're not ending up with him.’ And to walk away from someone you initially wanted is a pain that I can't describe to anybody unless someone's done it.”
'The Bachelorette' Franchise Update
Taylor Frankie Paul's casting marks the first time "The Bachelorette" has been led by someone without prior involvement in the franchise. Her season is expected to replace "The Bachelor" in early 2026, following a pause in the female-led flagship program. The network has been rotating various "Bachelor" iterations, including "The Golden Bachelorette" and "Bachelor in Paradise."
Rachael Kirkconnell on the 'Bachelorette' Role
Rachael Kirkconnell, who is in a relationship with Matt James from "The Bachelor", clarified that she was not interested in being "The Bachelorette." She stated she enjoys "watching from afar" and confirmed that ABC did not approach her for the role. However, she didn't completely rule out future involvement, saying, "I would never say never."
