Australian influencer Tammy Hembrow publicly supports Taylor Frankie Paul, star of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, following a domestic violence scandal that prompted the cancellation of Paul’s season on The Bachelorette US just before its premiere.
Paul’s Emotional Instagram Revelation
In a candid Instagram post on Sunday, Paul describes the past 40 days as “hell on earth” and reveals she relies on her faith during this ordeal. The mother of three later shares via Instagram Story that, though born and raised Mormon (LDS), she maintains love and respect for the church but chooses to detach from it now.
Hembrow’s Support Sparks Backlash
Hembrow, familiar with public relationship scrutiny, comments on Paul’s post: “Sending so much love mama.” The message garners over 800 likes but draws criticism from detractors questioning Hembrow’s endorsement of someone accused of domestic violence.
Hembrow previously condemns “violence in any form” in a May TikTok video after her half-brother Henri Thynne faced incarceration on 17 domestic violence charges. She clarifies her non-involvement in his legal matters, stating: “I’m not involved in any of the legal situation. I’ve no contact with my brother. I haven’t seen my brother. I’m just… I’m not involved at all, in no way.” She adds: “I don’t condone violence in any form. I don’t condone abusive behaviour. I just, I don’t think it’s okay, period.”
Details of the Domestic Violence Incident
A video published on March 19 shows Paul attacking her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, 33, with her minor daughter present. This footage leads ABC to cancel Paul’s Bachelorette season abruptly. Disney Entertainment Television explains: “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.” Paul receives full payment despite the cancellation.
Paul shares three children: daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5, with ex-husband Tate Paul; and son Ever, 2, with Mortensen. A court hearing on Tuesday addresses custody of Ever after Mortensen secures a temporary protective order last month. Court documents allege Paul choked him in February.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Paul denies the allegations. Body camera footage from her 2023 arrest captures Mortensen urging police to jail him instead. As officers arrive amid an argument, Mortensen tells them Paul is “not doing OK” and reveals injuries he attributes to her: “I can’t even tell you the stuff that’s happened to me.” Paul demands he leave, leading to her arrest. Mortensen later pleads for her to receive help.
In August 2023, Paul pleads guilty to third-degree aggravated assault from the February incident. Four charges drop in the plea deal, with probation ending in August 2026.
