Taylor Frankie Paul speaks to PEOPLE at a press preview for her upcoming season of The Bachelorette on Tuesday, March 17
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During the conversation, she shares how starring in the ABC dating reality series helped her leave the "toxicity" of her life in Utah
The TV personality also addresses reports of her alleged involvement in a domestic violence investigation involving her and ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen
Taylor Frankie Paulshares how starring in the latest season ofThe Bachelorettehelped her escape the "toxicity" of her life in Utah.
The TV personality speaks to PEOPLE at a press preview for her upcoming season in N.Y.C., on Tuesday, March 17, and opened up about her decision to join the show, as well as her reaction to the reports of her allegedinvolvement in a domestic assault investigation.
Paul, 31, is the lead in season 22 of the dating reality series, which premieres this Sunday, March 22, on ABC. She says that joining the show was an "immediate" yes for her, explaining she wanted to leave the "toxicity of a life in Utah and bubble."
"It was like the best thing I could have done," she says.
She notes that, in addition to dating and "meeting so many" men with "different personalities," she was also adjusting to "leaving the culture of Utah."
"I think it was like the best thing and something I've never done before, so I have no regrets," she says.
TheSecret Lives of Mormon Wivesstar also notes that her "one condition" of signing on was to be able to see her children. "That was the biggest question I had going into it, but other than that, it was like almost an immediate yes."
Paul shares daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5, with ex-husband,Tate Paul,as well as 1-year-old son Ever with ex-boyfriendDakota Mortensen.
Her interview with PEOPLE comes one day after the former couple was named in an open "domestic assault investigation," a spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department told PEOPLE. "Allegations have been made in both directions."
The spokesperson said "contact was made" between Feb. 24 and 25. A source close to Paul denied to PEOPLE that she was "violent" with Mortensen during the altercation.
The insider also said that Paul remains "focused" on her upcomingBachelorettepremiere.
The TV personality told PEOPLE on Tuesday that her "heart hurts to see" the reports of her alleged domestic violence ahead of theBachelorette's March 22 premiere.
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"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," she says.
"It's extremely hard," Paul says. "It took everything to get me here today. It's a heavy time and it's unfortunate."
"I'm struggling for sure," she adds, "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... show up even though it's hard."
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Following the domestic violence allegations, multiple sources told PEOPLE thatThe Secret Lives of Mormon Wiveshad halted production for season 5.
The production pause comes amid thecast's decision to distance themselves from Paulas the situation unfolds. "None of the women want to be associated with her," a source told PEOPLE.
"They kind of all decided, as a unit, that they're taking the production pause, that they don't want to film right now," a separate source close to production told PEOPLE. "I don't think they care about her really right now. They're just kind of like, 'We're done for right now.' "
The 2026 allegations come three years after Paul wasarrestedon suspicion of domestic violence following an argument with Mortensen.
In the 2023 incident, Paul was accused of throwing a chair at Mortensen that allegedly hit her daughter, leading her to receive misdemeanor charges of assault, criminal mischief and commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child,CBS Newsreported.
She pled guilty in abeyance to aggravated assault. Therefore, the charge will be dismissed if she complies with the conditions of the plea. The other charges have already been dismissed.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go tothehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
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