Taylor Frankie Paul unleashed a passionate Instagram rant on Mother’s Day, targeting a former friend she labeled a “snake” amid her ongoing personal struggles.

The Instagram Outburst

The 31-year-old reality star, mother to eight-year-old daughter Indy and five-year-old son Ocean from her marriage to ex-husband Tate Paul, and two-year-old son Ever with ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, expressed deep betrayal. “It’s Mother’s Day so I’ll say whatever I want,” Paul declared in her post. “As if it’s not already the worst time. I STILL have ‘friends’ kicking me while I’m already down and calling it ‘setting a boundary’ and then BLAMES ME for being upset and responding.”

Paul appeared to direct her comments at Mikayla Matthews, her former co-star on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Matthews had posted on Instagram Stories the day before, stating she aimed to stay “as removed as possible” from Paul’s legal and custody disputes with Mortensen while emphasizing “healthy boundaries.”

“What a snake friend just did to me in the public eye after everything she just witnessed…the lack of empathy and silence was loud enough,” Paul wrote. She posed pointed questions: “Did you see the hearing? Did you see the bruises? Yet she’s bringing up ‘picking sides’? Yes usually you do for friends you know go through that. Have you been hurt while pregnant? Have you been beaten right after giving birth? Have you lost two babies due to who knows what? Have you gone to jail for finally breaking and taking the only blame for years?”

Paul continued: “Have you been in trouble for getting ready to feel pretty two months postpartum that you cry off your makeup and return to an ugly tee shirt? Can you even understand what I’m saying just from just a psychological point [of view]?” She accused the friend of ignoring her after hearing one side of the story and prioritizing financial concerns over family well-being during filming. “You heard one side and never called me after, in fact ignored me twice. That is what an enemy is,” Paul added. “Save the ‘concern for children act.’ They all know I’m good to my children.”

Recent Custody Developments

On April 30, a court granted Paul up to eight hours of supervised visitation with her son Ever. Court documents indicate protective orders now require Mortensen to stay away from her. Paul’s attorney, Eric M. Swinyard, stated that Paul “was incredibly candid with the court that she is not perfect and owned her faults, which is in direct contrast to how the other party presented their argument, despite evidence and input from law enforcement that showed otherwise.”

Swinyard noted Paul “feels solidarity with the many survivors who have endured similar hardships behind closed doors and shared only part of their stories.” He added that she “remains grateful for the outpouring of support she continues to receive” and “looks forward to continuing to cooperate with the court to make progress in the custody case.”

Bachelorette Cancellation and Arrest Background

Paul’s planned season of ABC’s The Bachelorette was canceled in mid-March following the release of a 2023 video showing her attacking Mortensen in the presence of her minor daughter. Disney Entertainment Television explained, “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.”

Body camera footage from her February 17, 2023, arrest captured Mortensen showing officers injuries he attributed to Paul and urging them to jail him instead so she could get help. Paul entered a guilty plea to aggravated assault in August 2023; four other charges were dropped, and her probation ends in August 2026.