The future of MomTok’s most talked-about star is finally coming into focus. After weeks of speculation, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives executive producer Jeff Jenkins is opening up about whether Taylor Frankie Paul will return for the highly anticipated fifth season on Hulu.
During Deadline’s Reality TV Summit on Friday, May , Jenkins, , shared some much-needed clarity regarding the -year-old reality star. The production had previously hit a sudden wall in March following a series of domestic violence investigations involving Taylor and her ex, Dakota Mortensen.
“I certainly hope she will film with the other women,” Jenkins revealed. However, he emphasized that the star’s well-being comes before the cameras. “First and foremost, is she healthy of body and mind? Then we’ll talk about it.”
A Legal Line in the Sand
While the “thumbs up” has been given by Hulu and Disney to resume filming, the show will look very different moving forward. On the same day as Jenkins’ appearance at the summit, a Salt Lake City courthouse issued a major ruling that legally severs the on-screen ties between the former couple.
Utah Commissioner Russell Minas issued orders of protection for both Taylor and Dakota, , requiring them to stay at least feet away from each other for the next three years. The goal, according to the court, is to break the cycle of what was described as a “very toxic relationship.”
“It’s a legal matter, so I can tell you definitely that they will not be shooting together,” Jenkins declared. This confirms what many fans on TikTok and Instagram had suspected: the era of Taylor and Dakota’s volatile relationship playing out on screen is officially over.
Behind the Scenes Support
Despite the legal chaos, Jenkins shared that he has remained a steady source of support for Taylor. The producer revealed he spent minutes on the phone with her just this week, noting that she seems to be in a much better place.
“She’s doing great,” Jenkins told the audience. “She’s very grounded and composed. I’m happy for her.”
The road to this “grounded” state hasn’t been easy. The drama even reached the heights of the ABC network, which reportedly canceled plans for Taylor’s season of The Bachelorette after shocking video footage of a altercation surfaced. However, a major hurdle was cleared on April when Utah authorities ruled that Taylor would not face charges for a separate February incident.
Fan Reactions and Social Media Buzz
The “Mormon Wives” community has been divided since the production pause. When Taylor took to Instagram to announce she wouldn’t be charged, writing, “Cried when I got the call… THANK YOU to those that have stood with me,” her comments section was flooded with a mix of relief and concern.
Dakota also took to the platform to share his side, stating he has taken a “breath of fresh air” away from the chaos. “My focus now is where it should have been all along—on my son,” he wrote, referring to the former couple’s -year-old son, Ever True Mortensen. He added that while he takes accountability for his part, he doesn’t agree with the public portrayal of the situation.
What’s Next for Season ?
While a specific filming date hasn’t been set, insiders suggest that Taylor has an “open invitation” to return to the fold. While it remains unclear if she will jump back into the mix immediately, a source previously told Us Weekly that she “does want to return at some point.”
As for Dakota? Don’t expect to see him in the credits. Sources close to the production confirm the network has no intention of including him in future episodes to avoid “perpetuating a toxic relationship.”
For now, fans can catch up on all the existing MomTok drama on Hulu while waiting for the cameras to officially start rolling again on what is sure to be the show’s most emotional season yet.
