Taylor Frankie Paul is getting vulnerable with her followers during a time of immense personal and professional upheaval. The “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star took to Instagram on Tuesday, May , to share a startling look at her current physical and mental state, revealing that she is struggling with chronic pain that most of the world can’t see.
The -year-old reality personality shared a striking, seemingly AI-generated image that perfectly captured her current “double life.” In the post, Taylor is seen looking into a mirror; the version of her in the room wears a stained gray T-shirt and a messy bun, her skin covered in band-aids and an Icy Hot patch while connected to an IV drip. Meanwhile, her reflection shows the glamorous, red-carpet-ready version of the star fans have come to know.
“It’s mental health awareness month. I’ve had to be humbled to learn some experiences need to be lived through to understand,” Taylor captioned the post, adding the cryptic question: “Which category should we start with?”
A Closer Look at the Pain
Fans were quick to flock to her Instagram Stories for more context, where Taylor broke down the medical elements of her post. While some might have found the Icy Hot patch in the photo out of place, Taylor clarified that it is a very real part of her daily routine.
“I know my Icy Hot patch is comical and, yes, maybe it’s funny I added it,” she wrote over a photo of various medical supplies. “However, I use them every day along with heat sacks and other relievers due to the amount of pain my body is in.”
The Hulu star explained that she uses the patches and heat to relax intense muscle tension. Perhaps most concerningly, she revealed that the IV drips are a necessity because she has lost her appetite amid her recent stressors. “The IV helps hydrate and supplement when lacking nutrients due to no appetite,” she shared, before adding a poignant note about the bandages in her photo: “Band-aids were deliberate – pain you cannot see.”
Fans Seek Answers
The post immediately sent the “Mormon Wives” community into a frenzy of speculation and support. When one follower DM’d her asking, “Why are you in so much physical pain, Taylor?” she didn’t provide a medical diagnosis, but she did promise that the full story is coming.
“I’ll be sharing how you get to this point, just not today,” she wrote back.
The timing of Taylor’s health struggles coincides with a series of massive blows to her career and personal life. Just months ago, her promising future as the lead of “The Bachelorette” season came to a screeching halt. ABC pulled the season from its schedule on March , , after TMZ leaked a video showing Taylor throwing a chair at her on-and-off boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen.
A “Toxic” Legal Battle
The fallout from that video has been swift. Dakota, , was granted a temporary protective order and temporary custody of their -year-old son, Ever, in March. Following a subsequent hearing on April , a judge approved mutual protective orders for both Taylor and Dakota that will remain in place for three years.
During the hearing, Utah Commissioner Russell Minas didn’t hold back when describing the couple’s dynamic. “This has been a very toxic relationship,” he told the pair. “It’s beyond the pale in a lot of ways, the toxicity. You guys have to figure out a lot here. You have to figure out how to function as coparents.”
Currently, Taylor is allowed up to eight hours of supervised visitation with Ever. While Salt Lake City prosecutors declined to press charges against her for other alleged domestic incidents reported earlier this year, the emotional and physical toll of the custody battle and public scrutiny appears to be mounting.
As Taylor continues to navigate her new reality away from the “Bachelorette” spotlight, her fans are left waiting to see if she will fully disclose the source of her physical ailments. For now, the reality star seems focused on “living through” the experience and advocating for mental health awareness.
