Dakota Mortensen is a reality television personality best known for appearing alongside the new “Bachelorette” star, Taylor Frankie Paul, on the Hulu series “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.” His relationship with Paul became one of the show’s central storylines, highlighting his personal journey, business ventures, and family life. Mortensen has also been open about his past struggles and his path toward sobriety while raising a young son with Paul. Here’s what you need to know.
1. Dakota Mortensen Appeared on Reality TV Long Before ‘Secret Lives’
Mortensen first appeared on reality television nearly a decade before “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.”
Mortensen competed on the first season of NBC’s survival series “The Island” in 2015. The show dropped contestants on a deserted island where they had to survive with minimal resources.
Unlike many competition shows, “The Island” had no prize money or eliminations. Participants took part primarily for the experience.
Mortensen later became widely known through his relationship with Paul on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” where their on-again, off-again relationship played a major role in the series.
2. He Is a Business Owner and Real Estate Professional
Mortensen now works as a businessman in Utah and Idaho.
He owns Basin Tiling, a company that provides tiling services across both states. In addition to running the business, Mortensen also works as a real estate agent.
Before entering the business world, Mortensen worked in construction
and other labor-intensive jobs.
He also spent part of his early life working on his family’s bird farm in Caldwell, Idaho, where he grew up.
Those early experiences shaped his work ethic and career path before he transitioned into entrepreneurship.
3. Dakota Mortensen Has Spoken Openly About His Sobriety Journey
Mortensen has been candid about his past struggles with addiction.
During an appearance on “The Viall Files” podcast, Mortensen explained that his addiction began when he was in high school.
“For me, it started out when I was in high school,” Mortensen said. “I was a big basketball player. I remember I was at a practice once and my knees were hurting super bad.”
A teammate offered him pain medication.
“He was like, ‘Oh dude, I have some pain pills, you want some?’ I had no idea. I didn’t even know what pain pills were,” Mortensen said.
That experience eventually led to opioid use and later heroin and fentanyl addiction.
Mortensen said he struggled for years before working toward recovery. In 2025, he shared that he had been sober for more than three years.
4. His Relationship With Taylor Frankie Paul Became a Major Storyline
Mortensen met Paul after moving to Utah while working on his sobriety.
He said their relationship felt meaningful early on.
“How I am as a person, it’s really hard for me to feel like I like someone enough to give someone myself,” Mortensen said on “The Viall Files.”
“With Taylor when I met her, that’s where I kind of felt really scared.”
Their relationship became one of the most discussed storylines on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.”
The couple experienced several ups and downs that were documented on the show.
In 2024, Mortensen and Paul welcomed their son Ever together.
Paul is also the mother of two children from her previous marriage.
Dakota Mortensen and Taylor Frankie Paul Are Currently Co-Parenting
Mortensen and Paul have continued to navigate their relationship while raising their child.
Recently, Paul confirmed that the two currently have limited direct communication while addressing an ongoing domestic assault investigation.
A spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department told People that “allegations have been made in both directions” and that officers made contact with both individuals in February.
Paul later explained that they are currently using a third party to coordinate communication related to their son.
According to Entertainment Weekly, Paul said the pair have “no contact right now” while the situation continues.
