Police are investigating claims that cyberbullying may have contributed to the death by suicide of reality star Darrell Sheets, who was best known for starring in the popular A&amp;E series “Storage Wars.”
Law enforcement <a href="https://pagesix.com/2026/04/22/celebrity-news/police-investigating-claim-storage-wars-star-darrell-sheets-was-cyberbullied-before-death/?utm_campaign=nypost&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter">told</a> Page Six that they are “aware of these cyberbullying accusations and that is a part of the active investigation.”
Fans began circulating screenshots from a community Facebook group that Sheets was a member of, which detailed the alleged bullying. &#8220;My apologies to all people in Lake Havasu, my identity has been stolen and it is not me,&#8221; a post Sheets shared in January says. The reality star named two people who he claimed were “attacking me with hundreds of negative posts on people and their businesses.”
Sheets described the two individuals as “very sick people.”
&#8220;I banned him from being in my shop because of what him and [the other person] do to people,” he wrote, adding that he contacted the FBI about filing stalking, harassment, and stolen identity charges.
Another Facebook <a href="https://x.com/0hour1/status/2047065931822633184">post</a> shared in March made similar accusations about these same individuals.
&#8220;I’m extremely sorry and sick over this, these people have ruined me,” Sheets wrote. &#8220;People are showing up to my work and wanting to harm me, the police are aware of this.&#8221; He next said, “if something happens to me it was, it was [them].” 
Fans were heartbroken by the announcement that the 67-year-old star had died in an apparent suicide. 
According to a press release from the Lake Havasu City Police Department, Sheets was found around 2 a.m. local time on Wednesday, April 22, after officers responded to “a reported deceased individual.”
“Upon arrival, officers located a male subject who suffered from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head,” the release said. “The male was pronounced deceased on scene, and the Lake Havasu City Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit was notified and responded to the scene to assume the investigation.”
“Storage Wars” premiered on A&amp;E in 2010 and just debuted its 17th season in February. The reality show depicts real-life buyers who bid on the contents of abandoned storage units. 
During his time on the show, Sheets earned the nickname “The Gambler” for frequently bidding high on units that could be worth nothing. Sheets retired from “Storage Wars” in 2023 and opened an antique shop in Arizona called Havasu Show Me Your Junk.
A spokesperson for A&amp;E says in a statement, &#8220;We are saddened by the passing of a beloved member of our Storage Wars family, Darrell ‘The Gambler’ Sheets. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.&#8221;
His longtime co-star Brandi Passante shared in an Instagram post full of photo memories that she’s “at a loss for words” following Sheets’ untimely death.
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“I would like to say to everyone, if you are struggling, if you feel hopeless or like no one cares.  I assure you they do!! You are not alone.  Please reach out for help,” Passante added after offering condolences to his family. “The grief from suicide is endless.  There is always help,” the caption added.
Sheets is survived by his ex-wife Kimber Wuerfel, his two children, Brandon and Tiffany, and a granddaughter, Zoie. Brandon frequently appeared with his dad on “Storage Wars” and had the nickname “The Sidebet.”
If you are having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or go to <a href="http://speakingofsuicide.com/resources" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources</a> for a list of additional resources.

Darrell Sheets

Police Investigate Shocking New Details In Death Of Beloved Reality Star

Death

Entertainment

Reality stars

Reality TV

Suicide

Television

“Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Taylor Frankie Paul has been granted visitation rights for the 2-year-old son she shares with ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, but only under supervision.
The exes had their first hearing on Tuesday, during which Utah Third District Court Commissioner Russell Minas expressed concerns about the behavior of both parents. He described Paul’s conduct as egregious.
“I’m concerned about her volatility,” the judge said, according to <a href="https://pagesix.com/2026/04/07/celebrity-news/taylor-frankie-paul-faces-custody-blow-in-court-as-judge-is-concerned-over-her-volatile-behavior/">Page Six</a>. “When she snaps, there is significance to it.”
&#8220;Even if [Mortensen] was trying to provoke a response, the actions that occurred are very troubling,&#8221; Minas added, responding to Paul&#8217;s attorney&#8217;s argument that she had been goaded.
“Dakota pushes buttons, he’s excellent at that,” her attorney said. “As long as they stay apart, then there is no risk to the child … the child is safe with Taylor, the child thrives with Taylor.”
Minas referenced the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/taylor-frankie-paul-caught-on-camera-attacking-boyfriend-what-it-says-about-who-we-believe">video footage</a> from a 2023 incident that went viral and ultimately led to Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette” being yanked from the air days before it was scheduled to premiere. The judge said Paul’s apparent failure to recognize that the child was in danger contributed to his decision to allow only supervised visits.
“She did not realize that the child was being exposed,” he said. “That’s one of the concerns I have.”
Paul was granted up to six hours of supervised visits per week with her son, Ever, which can be broken up into two or three-hour increments. The ruling will stand until the next hearing later this month.
The 31-year-old reality star filed a temporary restraining order request against Mortensen ahead of the April 7 hearing, alleging a &#8220;pattern of abusive conduct and coercive control&#8221; during their relationship between 2022 and 2025, according to <a href="https://pagesix.com/2026/03/19/celebrity-news/taylor-frankie-paul-allegedly-choked-ex-dakota-mortensen-he-claims-in-restraining-order-filing/">People</a>.
Paul shares Ever, 2, with Mortensen. She is also the mother of Indy, 8, and Ocean, 5, whom she shares with her ex-husband, Tate Paul. Indy was allegedly injured in the previously reported barstool-throwing incident. 
Mortensen gained temporary custody of Ever on March 20 after he filed a restraining order against Paul. The former couple is scheduled to battle it out in court on April 30, when Minas is expected to evaluate both petitions for protective orders. 
&#8220;We&#8217;ll have a showdown on the 30th,&#8221; Paul&#8217;s lawyer Eric Swinyard said.
&#8220;Hopefully it won&#8217;t be a showdown,&#8221; Minas <a href="https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/salt-lake-county/taylor-frankie-paul-faces-protective-order-hearing-in-utah-after-bachelorette-cancellation">said</a>. &#8220;I&#8217;m hoping you can come to some resolution.&#8221;

Taylor Frankie Paul

Taylor Frankie Paul Allowed To See Her Son Again But Must Follow New Rule

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Hearings

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“Summer House” stars Amanda Batula and West Wilson just confirmed that the rumors about their secret relationship are true.
The couple shared a joint statement to Instagram on Tuesday, noting that they never expected something like this to happen.
“We’ve seen the growing online speculation, so while this is still very new, we wanted to provide some clarity,” the reality stars posted to Stories.
“It was never our intention to purposely hide anything. Given the complicated relationship dynamics involved and the scrutiny that comes with being on a reality show, we needed a little space to process things privately before speaking on it,” the statement continued.
“We’ve shown up for each other as friends over the years, through all the highs and lows, and what’s developed recently was the last thing either of us expected.”
Batula and Wilson said their friendship developed into something more, and they opted to take the public reveal slowly.
“As our feelings evolved, we wanted to take time to understand exactly what we were feeling. We also recognize that this has had an impact beyond just us and never wanted our actions to cause any hurt or be perceived as careless,” the social media update went on.
Making matters especially complicated is the fact that Batula separated from her husband, fellow “Summer House” star Kyle Cooke, in January after four years of marriage, as Page Six <a href="https://pagesix.com/2026/03/31/celebrity-news/summer-house-stars-amanda-batula-and-west-wilson-confirm-secret-romance-in-shocking-statement/">noted</a>. Wilson used to date Batula’s best friend Ciara Miller, who also appears on the popular Bravo series.
Several “Summer House” co-stars have shown their support for Miller in the wake of the scandal. Miller hasn’t released a public statement, but she did unfollow both Batula and Wilson on Instagram, the outlet noted.
The news comes as Season 10 of “Summer House” airs on Bravo, marking the tenth season for Batula and the third for Wilson.
“Summer House” follows a group of friends who share a house together on weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The reunion special, moderated by Andy Cohen, is coming up in a few weeks and promises to be especially dramatic in light of these new revelations.

Amanda Batula West Wilson

‘Summer House’ Stars Amanda Batula, West Wilson Finally Address Relationship Rumors

More details have emerged about the aftermath of reality star Taylor Frankie Paul throwing metal barstools as she raged against her boyfriend and accidentally hit her young daughter with one of the stools in 2023.
Video footage of the incident went viral earlier this month, and fans were so outraged that it led to Paul&#8217;s season of “The Bachelorette” getting yanked from ABC just days before it was scheduled to air. 
Paul’s ex-husband Tate Paul, the father of the child allegedly struck by a flying stool, called the police several times after the domestic violence incident. Those recordings were released by <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2026/03/27/taylor-frankie-paul-ex-tate-phone-calls-with-police/">TMZ</a> on Friday.
One recording includes audio of Tate expressing concern for his daughter. He also told law enforcement that Taylor’s mother, Liann, had been coaching her daughter on what to say. 
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🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Tate Paul &#8212; Taylor Frankie Paul&#8217;s ex-husband and father of 2 of her kids &#8212; talked to cops over the phone following Taylor&#8217;s infamous on-camera fight with her other ex Dakota Mortensen in 2023.
🔊 Herriman City Police Department <a href="https://t.co/guSInTj7oB">pic.twitter.com/guSInTj7oB</a>
— TMZ (@TMZ) <a href="https://twitter.com/TMZ/status/2037697876898513404?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2026</a></blockquote>
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By the time stools started flying, Tate and Taylor were divorced and Taylor was in a relationship with Dakota Mortensen, who is seen on video bearing the brunt of the reality star’s rage. Tate was involved because his daughter was present during all the drama, and he filed for full custody shortly after it all went down.
During one of the call recordings, Tate confirmed that his daughter had a “small” goose egg on her head, which allegedly was the result of being struck by the chair. 
Taylor, meanwhile, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/taylor-frankie-paul-assault-video-fallout-just-took-a-worse-turn-with-custody-drama">claimed</a> during an episode of “The Viall Files” podcast last year that her daughter didn’t have any injuries. She admitted that she was out of control on the evening in question.
“I was feeling so low I went and drank that night,” the reality star said on the podcast. “…and Dakota picks me up and he’s angry that I drank.”
Taylor said she was “so sad” at the time. “I remember, like, throwing things, and I don’t know my daughter is on the couch,” she went on. “We had babysitters there, so I think they’re upstairs sleeping.”
“I’m, like, so gone I don’t care, and I throw another chair,” she said, also telling the podcast host, “We didn’t know if it hit her or not, it might have not hit her at all…” Taylor also claimed the child had no “noticeable injuries” and insisted “everything was good.” 
Tate and Taylor were married from 2016 until 2022. TMZ previously reported that Taylor earned back shared custody about six months after the incident. The “Secret Live of Mormon Wives” star pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in that case and later had two more cases brought against her following additional domestic assault accusations.

Listen to Taylor Frankie Paul Ex’s Desperate Calls With Cops After Domestic Violence Arrest

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This article is part of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/introducing-upstream-a-lifestyle-and-culture-section-of-the-daily-wire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Upstream,</a> The Daily Wire’s new home for culture and lifestyle. Real human insight and human stories — from our featured writers to you.
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“The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” opens with a girl gang of mostly-blond women, slo-mo walking hand-in-hand like badass angels, backed by the towering <a href="https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/provo-utah-temple">Provo Utah Temple</a>, all set to Sam Smith’s “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq9gPaIzbe8&amp;list=RDUq9gPaIzbe8&amp;start_radio=1">Unholy.</a>” Get it? They look like buttoned-up church ladies, but they’re really dangerous and sexy. Does “<a href="https://genius.com/Sam-smith-and-kim-petras-unholy-lyrics">something unholy</a>” mean they’re drinking <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/article/why-dont-latter-day-saints-drink-coffee">coffee</a> when they’re not supposed to or really into orgies? You never really know what members of <a href="https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/style-guide">the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</a> get into once <a href="https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/what-to-expect-at-church-services#:~:text=Along%20with%20activities%20and%20programs%20during%20the,adults%20as%20part%20of%20the%20two%2Dhour%20span.">Sunday</a> service wraps, amiright? 
The show’s fourth installment dropped this month, just as series regular, Taylor Frankie Paul, made even buzzier headlines when filming for season five of the show suddenly stopped due to an alleged <a href="https://people.com/mormon-wives-stops-filming-for-season-5-as-taylor-franke-paul-is-involved-in-domestic-violence-incident-exclusive-sources-11926978">domestic violence incident</a> involving Paul and her ex, Dakota Mortensen. Paul was previously <a href="https://people.com/history-of-taylor-frankie-paul-legal-trouble-11929321">arrested in 2023</a> after Mortensen filmed her <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2026/03/19/video-of-taylor-frankie-paul-beating-dakota-mortensen/">throwing a metal bar stool</a> at him, which allegedly struck their 5-year-old daughter. Paul was tapped for season 22 of &#8220;The Bachelorette,&#8221; which was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/watch-video-shows-taylor-frankie-paul-brutally-attacking-baby-daddy-bachelorette-axed?author=Amanda+Harding&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=5&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=WATCH%3A+Video+Shows+Taylor+Frankie+Paul+Brutally+Attacking+Baby+Daddy+%E2%80%94+%E2%80%98Bachelorette%E2%80%99+Axed">canceled</a> once the shocking footage leaked this month.
As “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” series regular Whitney Leavitt said, “<a href="https://youtu.be/anV2R05FJYU?t=101">It’s going to be complete chaos</a>.”
Fans eat up the sinful drama as fast as it’s served, regularly sending the series into the <a href="https://www.imdb.com/news/ni65615556/">Nielsen Top 10</a>. But do the nearly <a href="https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/lds-population-by-country">7 million</a> Latter-day Saints living in the U.S. feel represented by the made-for-reality-TV portrayal of Mormon wife life? From “<a href="https://thetab.com/realityshrine/2025/11/28/ranked-secret-lives-of-mormon-wives-most-explosive-scandals-from-cheating-to-swinging/">soft-swinging</a>” to cheating allegations, and a bedroom maneuver nicknamed “<a href="https://decider.com/2025/11/25/what-was-fruity-pebbles-incident-mormon-wives/">Fruity Pebbles</a>,” let’s just say caffeinated <a href="https://people.com/all-the-religious-rules-the-secret-lives-of-mormon-wives-were-raised-to-obey-8710403">soda</a> isn’t the only thirst trap on the show. Unsurprisingly, most believers aren’t exactly seeing their deepest spiritual lives mirrored by the ladies of &#8220;Secret Lives.&#8221;
“Absolutely no desire to watch my religion be slandered by a bunch of women using the name of my faith for monetary gain,” one woman <a href="https://x.com/ThisMomSaid/status/2034411055414395287?s=20">tweeted</a>.
Relating the series to “The Godfather,” LDS dad of four Josh <a href="https://x.com/joshnaa2gez/status/2034689107293565288?s=20">commented</a>, “It’s like if you filmed a reality show with the Corleone family and said, ‘This is how faithful Catholics really live.’” We all know you “<a href="https://youtu.be/jYnRBX2Trtk?t=125">don’t ever take sides with anyone against the family.</a>”
“I’ve only ever watched like a half of an episode, but it was so trashy and so unrealistic of what real Mormon housewives are, that it made me laugh,” says mother of four <a href="https://www.instagram.com/suzyspraytan/?hl=en">Suzy Muir Jeffords</a>, who, with her husband, is raising a family that&#8217;s strong in the faith. “[They’re] probably girls that grew up Mormon and fell away from the church but then jumped on the reality TV bandwagon and thought this will be a great idea.”
Other church members called it “<a href="https://x.com/aaronhinton92/status/2034425033658175593?s=20">bigoted</a>,” “<a href="https://x.com/i_Ryyzan2112/status/2034391998967521535?s=20">an insult</a>,” and a “<a href="https://x.com/ldsfilmguy/status/2034397153674874951?s=20">filth broadcast</a>.” X user <a href="https://x.com/SerendipLC/status/2034608593471938831?s=20">Lindsey</a> warned, “Don’t watch it, one glance at the promo tells me these women aren’t even close to my community’s traditions. The LDS women I know are focused on service, learning, and caretaking. We like crafting, babies, baking, our families of origin, Instagram, running, and our neighborhood.” Real world mom hustle doesn’t boast quite the same brand partnership draw that Taylor Frankie Paul’s viral “<a href="https://people.com/the-secret-lives-of-mormon-wives-sex-swinging-scandal-8701211">MomTok</a>” community did to rake in roughly <a href="https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/tv/a70723730/secret-lives-of-mormon-wives-cast-salaries/">$75,000</a> per deal.
One family man <a href="https://x.com/mosmoot/status/2034649883236253916?s=20">noted</a>, “My wife is nothing like these ladies. I haven&#8217;t personally seen the show but my daughters have, and have asked why they have to misconstrue the reality and why they try and put all &#8216;Mormon wives&#8217; in a box.” 
Mother of two and former active member of the church Nomi Wells doesn’t judge the stars of the show, but she admits, “If I was actively going to the temple, I wouldn’t feel comfortable being on a show like this because I would feel like I’m not representing the church properly.”
Noting the contrast between “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” and real life, she told The Daily Wire, “Clean language is expected, it’s frowned upon to cuss, and you’re not supposed to drink coffee. Excessive adornments are to be avoided — you are not to have multiple piercings or tattoos. You’re not supposed to sleep with anyone outside the confines of marriage, or even fool around.” More serious vows require members to wear special garments under their clothes. Much like the robe of a priest, a Jewish yarmulke, or a wedding ring, these garments serve as a symbolic reminder of sacred commitments.
Wells describes what’s known as a “Jack Mormon” (a little insider lingo), or someone who becomes a member of the church but strays from the virtuous life. That dalliance can be as mild as drinking coffee or getting a tiny hidden tattoo, or as serious as regularly drinking wine or promiscuity. “There’s a sliding scale of your Jack Mormon-ness. It can be very slight, or more major, like socially drinking, taking sexual partners, and basically living life like a ‘normal person,’” she says with a laugh. Not that we would recognize anyone like that from the Hulu series. 
“I don’t think it’s a bad thing for people within the LDS religion to live in alignment and not always be perfect,” Wells adds, remembering her own journey in choosing the church and ultimately deciding to pursue a different path. But she laments the misuse of a massive platform to objectify the religion it claims to define. “They are not a representation of the gospel in its truest form,” Wells says of the show. “I think it gives the wrong idea about the sacredness of the religion as it’s meant to be.”
Some hang on to a silver lining amid the dark cloud of reality TV. “‘Secret Lives’ has perhaps single-handedly done more than any other media to bring the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints into mainstream cultural consciousness,” says <a href="https://x.com/JasminRappleye/status/2034484669866225966">Jasmin Rappleye</a>, who is dedicated to educating followers on the gospel. But she suggests that instead of bad behavior stemming from the strict values of the church, the dysfunction depicted on the show comes from ignoring them. 
“Faith ultimately plays a minor role in the plot, as it does in many of these women&#8217;s lives,” Rappleye says. “The final product ends up looking more like a cross between some ex-Mormon values and Utah-adjacent culture than anything resembling faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
“I feel like the show is inappropriately named and should’ve been called something like ‘Secret Lives of Influencer Wives’ or something,” says <a href="https://x.com/kariwarburton/status/2034409501852606658?s=20">Kari Ann</a>. Still, the show might be having a net-positive effect for church growth. She adds, “I know people who have actually joined the church because of the show.”
Maybe it’s not designed to be anything more than reality TV junk food. But if “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” inspires even one viewer to consider something larger than themselves, the <a href="https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a69546531/what-was-fruity-pebbles-mormon-wives-explained/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=mgu_ga_cos_md_pmx_prog_org_us_18419138764&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=18415929960&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAC5jt3MJtRRxxBnU-ZktpkEfKk8JC&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwve7NBhC-ARIsALZy9HWpQOCGp9RP2YTqqC74UtUX5l4qvVhzHKotauLOpGiBBcya9-x0-noaApiEEALw_wcB">Fruity Pebbles</a> just might be worth it.

Fans See Scandal, But Real Latter-Day Saints Say Something Deeper Is Overlooked

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Upstream

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ABC knew exactly what it was getting when it cast Taylor Frankie Paul in its upcoming season of The Bachelorette. As someone who went through ABC’s vetting process twice — on The Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise — I can say this with certainty: Nothing about a contestant’s past is ever a surprise to producers.
The viewing public may not realize that contestants don’t just “get cast.” When I interviewed for the show, I underwent hours of psychological evaluations with licensed professionals, completed extensive written assessments covering everything from emotional stability to behavioral patterns, and participated in long, detailed interviews about my family, relationships, and personal history.
We are thoroughly vetted, profiled, and stress-tested. There are background checks. Producers look into everything, including legal, financial, and personal matters. If something exists, they will find it. That includes run-ins with the law, arrests, DUIs, falling behind on child support, and even inappropriate photos.
So, why did ABC abruptly cancel the show after resurfaced footage showed would-be bachelorette Paul involved in a domestic violence incident? The footage wasn’t new or hidden; it had already circulated and was public, and had even been discussed across platforms tied to Disney’s broader media ecosystem, including Hulu.
Producers decide how to use a show&#8217;s video. They can build a storyline around it, downplay it, leak it, or bury it entirely, but they are never unaware of it. So the idea that ABC didn’t know about a widely discussed incident, one already publicly tied to Paul, doesn’t add up.
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The truth is, the Bachelor franchise is still alive, but it’s no longer the cultural force it once was. This cancellation is a symptom of a show making riskier decisions to stay relevant. I hadn’t watched the show in nearly a decade, and I was looking forward to watching this season; that’s how much attention this casting was already generating.
At its peak, The Bachelor was the world&#8217;s biggest reality show. It created cultural moments, dominated conversations across the country, and has, at times, produced real relationships that turned into marriages and families. That era is gone. Ratings have declined, and relevance is no longer guaranteed.
When that happens, casting changes. It stops being about love and becomes about spectacle. Paul brought exactly that, with a built-in audience, an existing social media fanbase, and instant attention. But she also came with a highly visible, controversial past marked by serious and widely discussed incidents. ABC made a calculated decision to bet on the attention, manage the risk, and hope the controversy held long enough to carry the season.
That gamble collapsed. And when a franchise declines, entertainment value starts to outweigh better judgment. This time, the line between compelling television and unacceptable risk became impossible to ignore.
The fallout isn’t just corporate. Contestants rearranged their lives, left their jobs, and upended everything for this opportunity, including Paul. She didn’t misrepresent herself; ABC chose her, fully aware of her history. And like everyone else, she stepped away from her children and her life for a show that ultimately pulled the rug out from under her.
And at the center of it all is something far more serious than television: domestic violence in the presence of a child, which should not be minimized. What the footage revealed is the tension between entertainment and the seriousness of the issue. The incident is serious, and ABC knowingly cast someone with a very public history.
The show has always been entertainment first. Yes, real relationships have come out of it. I know many people, from my season alone, whose marriages and families exist because of this franchise. But even at its best, it was still television.
***
Jillian Anderson King is a former contestant on both ABC’s The Bachelor and The Bachelor in Paradise. She’s also a former Washington Redskins Cheerleader Ambassador, a Mombassador for Moms for America, an ambassador for Turning Point and Turning Point Faith, and a proud Christian Conservative mother and wife. She&#8217;s the founder of The King&#8217;s Firm, a strategic communications firm.
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“The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” Season 2 Los Angeles Premiere

An Insider Spills The Tea On The Bachelorette’s Risky Business

The Bachelor

Reality star Taylor Frankie Paul’s baby daddy Dakota Mortensen has been granted a temporary protective order against his ex and has reportedly gotten temporary custody of their child.
The order states that Taylor cannot have contact with Mortensen and is not allowed to “abuse or threaten to abuse” him. The “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” celeb has been ordered to stay at least 100 feet away from her ex and is forbidden from contacting him, per <a href="https://people.com/dakota-mortensen-granted-temporary-custody-of-taylor-frankie-paul-son-ever-11931147">People</a>.
Taylor will be able to plead her case at a scheduled hearing on April 7, and won’t be able to see her youngest child, Ever, prior to that point.
Dakota alleged that Taylor choked him during an incident on February 23, and attacked him again the next day, February 24. 
&#8220;I was unable to safely leave while this was happening, and my child had been left inside the home during the chaos under her watch due to our custody agreement,&#8221; Dakota stated in documents obtained by TMZ.
The reality star was slated to be “The Bachelorette” beginning Sunday evening, but her season, which has already been filmed, was abruptly canceled when a video of her fighting with Dakota and throwing metal bar stools was leaked to TMZ earlier this week.
Taylor had already pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in 2023 immediately after the incident, but the video footage was not released until now.
TMZ also <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2026/03/20/taylor-frankie-paul-kids-not-taken-away-after-assault/">reported</a> that an anonymous source said Taylor&#8217;s ex-husband, Tate Paul, had not seen the video before its release. Tate shares two children with Taylor, including the child in the video who was allegedly struck by the bar stool. A child can be heard crying in the video after the stool is thrown, and the police report from 2023 allegedly said the child had a goose egg on her head.
Taylor, meanwhile, claimed during an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE1ykz4fryI">episode</a> of “The Viall Files” podcast last year that her daughter didn’t have any injuries. She admitted that she was out of control on the evening in question.
“I was feeling so low I went and drank that night,” the reality star said on the podcast. “&#8230;and Dakota picks me up and he’s angry that I drank.”
Taylor said she was “so sad” at the time. “I remember, like, throwing things, and I don&#8217;t know my daughter is on the couch,” she went on. “We had babysitters there, so I think they’re upstairs sleeping.”
“I’m, like, so gone I don’t care, and I throw another chair,” she said, also telling the podcast host, “We didn’t know if it hit her or not, it might have not hit her at all…” Taylor also claimed the child had no “noticeable injuries” and insisted “everything was good.” 
Tate and Taylor were married from 2016 until 2022. TMZ <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2026/03/20/taylor-frankie-paul-kids-not-taken-away-after-assault/">reported</a> that Tate responded to the domestic incident in 2023 by having his lawyer seek full custody of the children, and that after meeting several demands including alcohol education classes, the reality star earned back shared custody about six months later.

Taylor Frankie Paul Assault Video Fallout Just Took A Worse Turn With Custody Drama

U.S.

Reality star Taylor Frankie Paul has released another statement following the cancellation of her season of “The Bachelorette,” promising to reveal more of her story soon.
The 31-year-old “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” alum released the update via her spokesperson. This came after a video of an alleged domestic violence incident between her and then-partner Dakota Mortensen was released to TMZ and then blasted all over social media. 
&#8220;Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security. After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm,” the statement said, per <a href="https://people.com/taylor-frankie-paul-speaks-out-bachelorette-cancellation-11928842">People</a>. 
&#8220;There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them 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, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story.&#8221;
A previous statement from Paul’s rep noted that the video “omits context” and insinuated that Mortensen was the abuser, not the victim.
A Disney Entertainment spokesperson <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/watch-video-shows-taylor-frankie-paul-brutally-attacking-baby-daddy-bachelorette-axed">announced</a> Thursday that this season of “The Bachelorette,” which Paul was starring in, was put on hold. “In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of ‘The Bachelorette’ at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,” the statement said.
“The Bachelorette” was slated to premiere this Sunday, on March 22. The network is projected to lose millions due to the cancellation, from advertising dollars to viewers to wasted promotion fees and beyond.
The decision was made shortly after TMZ published a video of Paul getting into a physical altercation with Mortensen, the father of her child, Ever. Paul has the majority custody of Ever. She also has two children, daughters Indy and Ocean, 5, with her ex-husband, Tate Paul.
“This is called physical abuse,” Mortensen can be heard saying as he films their fight. Paul can be seen throwing chairs at him while her daughter, Indy, now 8, was in the room and crying.
Mortensen says at another point, “Your daughter just got hit in the head by a metal chair.”
The incident occurred in 2023. Paul pled guilty in abeyance to aggravated assault at the time, meaning that if she complied with the conditions of the plea, that charge would be dismissed.
The newest season of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” was also put on hold just days before the cancellation because of &#8220;some pretty serious stuff happening regarding [Paul&#8217;s] past,&#8221; a source told People.

READ IT: ‘Mormon Wives’ Star Taylor Frankie Paul Responds To Baby Daddy Attack Video

Disney

A spokesperson for Taylor Frankie Paul pushed back following the release of a video of her allegedly engaging in domestic abuse with her baby daddy.
“It’s sad to see the latest installment of his never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor without any regard for the consequences for their child. Releasing an old video, which conveniently omits context, on their son&#8217;s birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior. Thankfully, the public has seen this act before and knows who he is and sadly, many will recognize this pattern of manipulation, both in his actions on the show, and from their own experiences,” the spokesperson told People.
Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of &#8220;The Bachelorette&#8221; has been canceled by ABC following the release of a video of her allegedly engaging in domestic abuse with her baby daddy and former boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, per <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2026/03/19/abc-cancels-the-bachelorette-starring-taylor-frankie-paul/">TMZ</a>.
A Disney Entertainment spokesperson told the outlet, “In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of &#8216;The Bachelorette&#8217; at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family.”
The decision was made shortly after TMZ published a video of Paul getting into a physical altercation with Mortensen, the father of her child, Ever. Paul has the majority custody of Ever. She also has two children, daughters Indy and Ocean, 5, with her ex-husband, Tate Paul.
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🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Taylor Frankie Paul repeatedly attacked Dakota Mortensen during the 2023 incident in which she pled guilty to aggravated assault; video shows that one of her children was struck during the fight.
Trigger Warning. <a href="https://t.co/77CKYpLxvn">https://t.co/77CKYpLxvn</a> <a href="https://t.co/avr49EacY3">pic.twitter.com/avr49EacY3</a>
— TMZ (@TMZ) <a href="https://twitter.com/TMZ/status/2034673546341797906?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2026</a></blockquote>
“This is called physical abuse,” Mortensen can be heard saying as he films their fight. Paul can be seen throwing chairs at him while her daughter, Indy, now 8, was in the room and crying.
Mortensen says at another point, “Your daughter just got hit in the head by a metal chair.”
Paul, made famous on the series “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” was arrested for alleged domestic violence in 2023 following an argument with Mortensen, per <a href="https://people.com/taylor-frankie-paul-throws-chairs-at-dakota-mortensen-with-child-nearby-in-leaked-video-11930003">People</a>. She pled guilty in abeyance to aggravated assault, meaning that if she complied with the conditions of the plea, that charge would be dismissed. The show was also put on hold after the video surfaced. “The Bachelorette” was slated to premiere on Sunday, March 22.
Besides starring on “Mormon Wives,” she is also one of the creators of #MomTok, a group of Utah moms who create popular dancing TikTok videos.
Paul spoke with People on March 17 as she was still promoting her season of &#8220;The Bachelorette.&#8221;
&#8220;Honestly, just like, my heart hurts to see it, to go through it, especially at this time,&#8221; she told the outlet. &#8220;Just the timing is hard, and it’s a big deal. I feel like every premiere that I’ve experienced, I’ve never enjoyed fully, so this is another one&#8230; it’s extremely hard, and it took everything to get me here today.”
&#8220;It’s a heavy time, and it’s unfortunate,&#8221; Paul continued. &#8220;I’m struggling for sure, but also at the same time I feel like if I don’t show up, then I’m just giving these opportunities away and not enjoying what we’ve worked on and something super exciting that’s coming. I just feel like it was the right thing to do&#8230; show up even though it’s hard.&#8221;
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WATCH: Video Shows Taylor Frankie Paul Brutally Attacking Baby Daddy — ‘Bachelorette’ Axed

Joseph Duggar, a member of the Duggar family made famous on the TLC reality series “19 Kids and Counting,” has been charged with sexual abuse of a minor.
The 31-year-old Arkansas native was arrested on Wednesday for a crime that allegedly took place in 2020. Duggar is accused of assaulting a 9-year-old girl in Panama City Beach, Florida, while the child was on vacation with her family.
Authorities allege that Duggar asked the victim to sit on his lap and proceeded to sexually assault her. 
&#8220;As the vacation continued, he also asked her to sit next to him on a couch and covered them with a blanket. During this time, Duggar manipulated the victim’s underwear and grazed her genitals. Duggar would also continue to rub his hands on her thighs,&#8221; the Bay County Sheriff&#8217;s Office said in a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BayCountySO/posts/pfbid02rCrB7aDfBCs3xgHq8V48mHN57R37Sp4h6pu8T42xDL2svN8aeXHHPZxpBFaTGZFCl?rdid=bbHODmWHjB0494vM#">statement</a>. &#8220;The victim stated Duggar eventually apologized for his actions and the incidents stopped after the apology.&#8221; 
According to authorities, the victim&#8217;s father later confronted Duggar about the alleged abuse, prompting Duggar to admit to those actions.
Duggar was charged with lewd and lascivious behavior, molestation of a victim younger than 12 years old, and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older, the statement noted.
Joseph is the seventh child in a family of 19 children. These accusations come almost four years after Joseph’s older brother, Josh Duggar, was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison on charges of possession of child pornography in 2022. Josh was also accused of sexually abusing five girls, including several of his sisters.
The TLC reality series was canceled in 2015 following revelations that Josh molested his sisters and a babysitter when he was a teen. Josh also admitted to cheating on his wife and issued a public apology.
TLC introduced a spinoff series, &#8220;Counting On,&#8221; which was mostly about two sisters from the Duggar family. It was also canceled following Josh&#8217;s 2021 arrest.
Joseph works as a real estate broker and has been married to Kendra since 2017, per <a href="https://people.com/joseph-duggar-wife-children-what-to-know-11929551" target="_blank" rel="noopener">People</a>. The couple has three children together and possibly a fourth, though they stopped sharing their lives on social media several years ago and did not publicly announce another birth.

Robert Wagner And The Duggar Family Visit “Extra”

Former ‘19 Kids And Counting’ Star Accused Of Child Sexual Abuse

Child Sex Abuse

Crime

Captain Rick Shelford, star of the popular Discovery Channel reality series “Deadliest Catch,” revealed on Monday that his 25-year-old deckhand, Todd Meadows, died in a fishing accident.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed Meadows&#8217; death in statement on Tuesday, saying that Meadows fell overboard about 170 miles north of the Dutch Harbor, off Alaska&#8217;s Aleutian Islands.
&#8220;He was recovered unresponsive by the crew approximately ten minutes later,&#8221; the spokesperson said, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/deckhand-deadliest-catch-boat-dies-fishing-alaskan-waters-rcna261372">per</a> NBC News. &#8220;First aid and attempts to resuscitate were unsuccessful, and the crew transported the deceased to Dutch Harbor.&#8221;
“February 25, 2026 was the most tragic day in the history of the Aleutian Lady on the Bering Sea,” Shelford said in a Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/captainrick.shelford/posts/898155459760463">post</a>, which included photos of Meadows. “We lost our brother, Todd Meadows. Todd was the newest member of our crew, he quickly became family. His love for fishing and his strong work ethic earned everyone’s respect right away. His smile was contagious, and the sound of his laughter coming up the wheelhouse stairs or over the deck hailer is something we will carry with us always.”
“Deadliest Catch” premiered in 2005 and remains a popular series for the network. It follows crab fishermen working in the Bering Sea during the Alaskan king crab and snow crab fishing seasons, documenting the dangers of the job along the way. 
Alaskan crab fishing is considered to be one of the most dangerous jobs in the world.
“Todd’s love for his children, his family, and his life was evident in everything he did. He worked hard, loved deeply, and brought joy to those around him,” the post went on. “Right now, our hearts are broken in a way that words can’t fully express. We ask that you lift Todd’s children and family in prayer and keep them in your thoughts as they face the days ahead without him. Todd will forever be part of this boat, this crew, and this brotherhood. Though we lost him far too soon, his legacy will live on through his children and in every memory we carry of him. Rest easy brother, till we meet again.”
A GoFundMe campaign was set up for Meadows’ family. The description mentioned that the deckhand was fishing at the time of his death. “We are heartbroken to share the sudden passing of Todd Morgan Meadows, a beloved 25-year-old father, son, brother and friend, who left us far too soon while doing what he loved — crabbing out on Alaskan waters,” the GoFundMe page read.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Todd Meadows,&#8221; a <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/deckhand-deadliest-catch-boat-dies-fishing-alaskan-waters-rcna261372">statement</a> from Discovery said, per NBC. &#8220;This is a devastating loss, and our hearts are with his loved ones, his crewmates, and the entire fishing community during this incredibly difficult time.”

Aleutian Lady

‘Deadliest Catch’ Deckhand Dies On Alaskan Fishing Boat

Alaska

Robert Cosby Jr., who is the son of &#8220;The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City&#8221; star Mary Cosby, has died at the age of 23.
TMZ broke the <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2026/02/25/robert-cosby-jr-dead/">news</a> on Wednesday that Cosby Jr. died on Monday, but did not immediately reveal his cause of death. His parents, Mary and Robert Cosby Sr., told the outlet in a statement: &#8220;Our beloved son Robert Jr. has been called home to the Lord. Though our hearts ache, we take comfort in God’s promise and in knowing he is finally at peace. We are grateful for your prayers and trust in the Lord to carry us through this time of sorrow.&#8221;
The outlet noted that police responded to a possible overdose, but so far, that information is unconfirmed.
Cosby Jr. was seen on the popular reality show and discussed his substance abuse issues there, per <a href="https://deadline.com/2026/02/robert-cosby-jr-dead-real-housewives-of-salt-lake-city-mary-cosby-son-1236736063/">Deadline</a>. In a Season 5 episode, the reality star said he used Xanax, Adderall, acid, “Molly,” and cocaine. He also confessed to his mother that he had thoughts of suicide and self-harm in the past.
“You’re the only reason I didn’t kill myself,” he told his mom in one episode. His mother replied, “You have to know I love you more than anything, more than anything in this world. I think I love you more than dad — don’t ever tell [him] I said that. But you’re my friend, you’re my son, you’re my gift. God gave you to me. You’re the only thing that ever made me happy. Before I had you, I was never happy. You came, and you were so real. You [were] everything I hoped [for] in a person.”
Cosby Jr.’s wife, Alexiana Smokoff, filed for divorce in November 2025 following accusations of domestic violence and a restraining order. These all stemmed multiple domestic incidents, including one at Smokoff’s parents&#8217; house, leading to more than a dozen charges being filed against Cosby Jr., several of which he pleaded guilty to. The divorce was finalized earlier this year. 
&#8220;Real Housewives&#8221; executive producer Andy Cohen responded to Cosby Jr.&#8217;s death on Threads, writing, “Devastatingly sad news out of SLC. This is every parent’s worst nightmare. My heart is broken for Mary, and I am sending all my love to her and Robert Sr.”

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