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 attached with him, then attached with me,” Dakota, 33, said in a Tuesday, March 31 trailer for the competition series, after being filmed getting in a hot tub.
In one other 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 forged in Alex Cooper’s latest reality show despite his recent legal issues with Taylor, 31.
“The four-episode series brings together 16 of essentially the most polarizing figures in popular culture to compete in a series of mental and physical challenges over 4 days, filmed against the backdrop of a luxury chalet in Park City, Utah,” the show’s official description reads. “The show guarantees fierce competition, unexpected alliances, and the form of unfiltered drama that has defined Unwell across its programming slate.”
Dakota will even 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 forged 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 truth 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 continuous 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, it is a deeply upsetting situation,” Dakota, 33, tells Us Weekly in a Thursday, March 19, statement. “I’m, unfortunately, used to those baseless claims about me […]
A spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department in Utah confirmed to Us Weekly on the time that there was an open “domestic assault investigation” regarding the pair, with allegations “made in each directions.”
Days later, TMZ released footage from a 2023 incident of Taylor physically assaulting and throwing multiple chairs at Dakota while within the presence of her daughter. ABC then announced their plan to tug Taylor’s season 22 of The Bachelorette. (Taylor was arrested following the 2023 incident and charged with aggravated assault, domestic violence within the presence of a baby, child abuse and criminal mischief. She pleaded guilty to felony aggravated assault in exchange for the opposite charges being dropped.)
“In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we now have made the choice to not move forward with the brand new season of The Bachelorette presently, and our focus is on supporting the family,” a Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson told Us in an announcement on the time.
Taylor, for her part, shared in an announcement 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 following Bachelorette. “Had so many curve balls today and each time I’m at all times reminded there’s nothing more essential 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 in addition to threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to be sure that she and her children are shielded from any further harm,” the rep said. “There are too many ladies who’re suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to allow them to 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, looking for 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, it is a deeply upsetting situation. I’m, unfortunately, used to those baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny,” he said. “I’m specializing in our son and his safety and hope that Taylor will do the identical.”
Dakota has since been granted a brief 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 offer further details to NBC News because of the continued investigation. Us reached out to the West Jordan Police Department and representatives for each Taylor and Dakota for comment on the time.
Unwell Winter Games airs exclusively on Unwell’s YouTube documentary starting Monday, April 6.
Should you or someone you already know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.