In the midst of a police investigation into domestic violence allegations involving him and his ex-partner, Taylor Frankie Paul, Dakota Mortensen, 33, has landed a new role as a cast member of Alex Cooper's highly anticipated reality competition series, "Unwell Winter Games."
The four-episode series, as described in a March 30 press release from Unwell, brings together sixteen of the most polarizing figures in pop culture to compete in a series of mental and physical challenges over four days. "The show promises fierce competition, unexpected alliances, and the kind of unfiltered drama that has defined Unwell across its programming slate," the release reads.
In the series, premiering on YouTube on April 6, Dakota will compete against notable individuals such as Taylor's "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" costar Demi Engemann, "Dancing With the Stars" contestant Gleb Savchenko, "Love Island's" Eyal Booker, and "Bachelor Nation's" Serena Pitt.
The cast also includes Anna Delvey, Alissa Violet, Andrew Vetter, Cameron Jerrard, Dylan Kevitch, Ekin Su Cülcüloglu, Hallie Batchelder, Hannah Stocking, Huda Mustafa, Joe Amabile, Juliette Porter, Louis Russell, Niko Emanuilidis, and Saraya Bevis.
Prior to his casting announcement, the Draper City Police Department in Utah confirmed to People on March 16 that there is an ongoing "domestic assault investigation" between Dakota and Taylor, with allegations made in both directions. A dispute in late February halted the filming of "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' fifth season.
Taylor's season of "The Bachelorette" was canceled when a 2023 video of a physical altercation between herself and Dakota was leaked online on March 19, days before the dating show's premiere. In response, a rep for Taylor told E! News in a statement that the 31-year-old was "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," the March 19 statement continued, "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."
Meanwhile, Dakota—who shares a son with Taylor—referred to their current situation as "deeply upsetting." "I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny," he said in a March 19 statement to E! News. "I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same."
Since then, Dakota has been granted temporary custody of their child. As a result, Taylor will have "no parent time" until an April 7 hearing, per a protective order obtained by People.
In recent days, the West Jordan Police Department in Utah confirmed to NBC News that authorities are investigating a third alleged domestic violence incident from 2024 between Dakota and Taylor.
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