Sept. 22, 2026
Taylor Frankie Paul Announces Exit From Mormon Wives, Cites Bullying Castmates
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RSS Feed ‘The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives’ star Taylor Frankie Paul has announced on social media that she will not continue on the hit Hulu series because of bullying from her casemates. Paul accused some of the women of laughing at her children as she goes through two very public custody battles. The news comes as TMZ reports that Paul failed multiple recent court ordered drug tests as she tries to get more time with her children from two separate relationships. Mormon Wives has had two other star cast members drop out of the series, with two more saying they’re unsure whether they’ll continue on the show, which the network just renewed for two more seasons.
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00:00:02
Speaker 1: Hey there, folks.
00:00:02
Speaker 2: It is Tuesday, September 22nd, and the star of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives says she is stepping away from the show because she's getting sick of being bullied by her castmates. And with that, welcome to this episode of Amy and TJ. When I say the star of this show, nobody has to Pause for a second. We know who I'm talking about?
00:00:26
Speaker 1: Yes. Taylor, Frankie, Paul.
00:00:28
Speaker 2: Can I ask? Can you name off the top of your head before you started doing this research this morning another person who's a member of that cast?
00:00:36
Speaker 1: I know. I can't give you first and last name. I know Whitney. I know Michaela. I know Macy.
00:00:42
Speaker 2: Michaela's a black girl.
00:00:43
Speaker 1: No, that's Layla. We've interviewed her.
00:00:45
Speaker 2: Layla?
00:00:46
Speaker 1: Yeah, we... Her name started with an M.
00:00:47
Speaker 2: Layla. Okay. The point being.
00:00:49
Speaker 1: But we've interviewed Macy as well. She's the blonde.
00:00:52
Speaker 2: Our point here being... And apologies that people we have even sat in a room with. Nobody stands out on this show the way that Taylor Frankie Paul does. That just is fact, is it not?
00:01:07
Speaker 1: No one else is a household name the way she is.
00:01:10
Speaker 2: And so, Robes, this was a big deal for her to be coming back, was it not? They're shooting season six right now.
00:01:15
Speaker 1: Yes, they're in the middle of shooting season six. And yes, for her to abruptly announce, and look, The franchise has justâ I say franchise. The series has just announced that it's being renewed for two more seasons. But nowâ The Mormon thing? Yes. Because it's been so successful. But a lot of folks would point to the fact that Taylor Frankie Paul is the reason why it's been so successful. She's the reason why the show exists in the first place. It was her whole soft swinging scandal that led to the show. And now, with all of the drama with the Bachelorette and her custody battles and her issues with failed drug tests that we'll get into, yeah, that controversy, that gets people watching. So for her to leave is a big deal.
00:01:59
Speaker 2: This show is about nothing but drama, Robes. Like you said, it's even existence was based on that. Is this just more drama? Is this just what they do? And she'll be back on the show and... Does this feel any different to you than some of the other ones?
00:02:16
Speaker 1: A little bit in that I still think it could be temporary. I still think, obviously, she could come back or she could change her mind. But I do believe that she is at a very vulnerable state or in a very vulnerable state. And she has, at least in the pastâ year used Instagram and used social media to share with her followers what she's going through, how she's feeling. And I think it's fair. I mean, I can only imagine what it would be like to be fighting for custody or at least just even visitation at this point of my kids fighting with two exes publicly dealing with domestic violence, not just allegations, but convictions and then more allegations that that would, Bury just about anybody. Now do it on a reality TV show where all the other girls are talking shit about you. Yes, that's a lot to deal with.
00:03:13
Speaker 2: Not that you were piling on, but I'd never put all of her problems collectively in that batch. I mean, everybody in their life, what's the worst thing you have to do? Oftentimes in a relationship, have some kind of fight with your ex. If that fight involves court, even worse. If that fight involves kids, even worse. She's got all that. She's got criminal charges, Robes. How awful is that for somebody to deal with? And now she's dealing with what? Reputation and even her ability to make money. Robes, everything seems to be crumbling around this young lady. I know some people say this is her fault, but man, I could give some grace for that's a lot.
00:03:47
Speaker 1: Yes, I can still say, even if it's all self-imposed, which it appears to be, I still can... feel sorry for her and not in a like I'm pitying her way and that that is incredibly that is a huge unbelievably difficult hole to dig yourself out of.
00:04:04
Speaker 2: And she is digging the wrong direction it seems Robes in a lot of what's coming out now this idea I mean I was a little surprised no I'm not surprised of course they were going to bring her back to the show season five just dropped this summer and that one's all out people can see but they've been shooting season six Taylor Frankie Paul is going to be back I was curious. I have to be honest, babe. I was curious to see how they were going to bring her back into the fold. And I might check that show out. We haven't watched the first season since then.
00:04:32
Speaker 1: No, we only watched the first season. And I think we've seen a couple episodes here and there. We watched the episode on season five where she was leaving to go to The Bachelorette. Oh, my goodness. So, yes, I mean, it is drama-filled. There's no question about it. But she put out an extremely long Instagram post. She had a caption on one side, and then she had three slides saying, with three different pictures and comments on each of them. We can go through it a little bit. I don't know if we need to read the whole thing.
00:05:02
Speaker 2: Well, how much do you think? I ran through it all, but with the parts you think are most relevant, I'm with you.
00:05:07
Speaker 1: Yes. So she starts by saying, my gratitude goes to all the networks that supported me throughout this and gave me the chance to return. However, I don't desire to move forward like this. I originally was willing to be removed to let them all continue on with less stress, and I'm back to that point. Some of the girls know what I've been through. And then to turn and collectively pile on with their statements, knowing there has been ongoing abuse throughout the system in the last eight months on top of what I've endured. Almost the entire case, plus some going at me, laughing about my kids, is disgusting. And I bit my tongue there. These same people had meetings telling me I need to lead the way of pay. My voice was the only one that can make it happen. And then they would work from what I demanded. I'm grateful I never followed through with their request of demands. And I'm grateful I kept the same pay out of fairness and integrity. I treated production and crew with respect always. In fact, they are the ones who checked on me throughout this. I agree it's to the point of bullying for months now. What makes it harder to take in is some of these parents have made mistakes that would result in the same judgment I'm receiving, yet pointing a finger. However, it's a pleasure to remove myself so they can continue because I've almost convinced myself I'm deserving of all this pain to a certain degree. Absolutely, this is the consequence of my actions. My question has been, how much suffering and scrutiny is going to be enough? I'm just relieved to be out.
00:06:54
Speaker 2: Look, she threw around some allegations there that I don't know if the other women have come out and completely been able to answer. But short of that, I believe in what she's saying. I can't imagine what that feels like. And I know she's supposed to live her life. She's supposed to expose, give us everything. That's the expectation. That's why she became a star. Bro, she probably should. I don't know if she should have come right back to the show so quickly. She's got a lot. We've been watching live streamed court hearings between her and Dakota. She's just exposed in every way. Robes, some of that pain is maybe coming through in that.
00:07:35
Speaker 1: Exactly. And some of the slides with the pictures on two of them, she shows herself. There's like a selfie where she looks distraught. And she puts up comments from other people basically saying, you're being bullied. So she's getting validation from users, and she put their comments up about basically that the girls on the cast have been bullying her. But the one that I thought was really interesting, she has a picture of her in the desert. I believe it's the opening to seasonâ I don't know if it's five or six. But she said, I wasn't in the introâ Because I was sent messages stating there was a group that wanted me to get to the point of committing suicide. I turned around sick, wanting to be home. Real or not, someone made them for me to read. So it was a little cryptic, I guess. I don't know. I haven't watched the opening to season five. I don't know if she's referring to the opening of season six. But it looks like it's this, you know, and she just has like one shot of it. And apparently she's not in the interest. She was saying she had to leave. while they were filming because she heard that there was a group trying to make her feel so bad about herself that they wanted her to kill herself.
00:08:48
Speaker 2: I'm hearing that right. The suggestion is we're going to do this mean thing to her to push her over the edge?
00:08:53
Speaker 1: Yes, yes. So she said that's what she's alleging. And look, in terms of allegations, TMZ has come out with, if true, this is significant. She has reportedly failed multiple times recent drug tests, according to the outlet. She was ordered by a Utah court in the whole custody thing to have this random drug testing. And the results of those drug tests were under a protective order, but her ex-husband asked for them to be unsealed. And then at that point, somehow TMZ gained access to them. And they claim that she has failed multiple drug tests in the last 60 days.
00:09:33
Speaker 2: Multiple, baby. I mean, what is she?
00:09:36
Speaker 1: I don't know. It's tough. It's tough.
00:09:39
Speaker 2: If that is true, she did it. If there's some other explanation for that, some prescription drugs she was taking, I don't know. But, Robes, it's piling on. As much as she's being watched and scrutinized, it's hard to understand why she would do that. She's got to be on the best behavior for your kids sake didn't they just reduce right her her parenting.
00:10:02
Speaker 1: So now the court because of these drug tests ordered that she is now limited to eight hours of parenting time each week so she gets four hours with her two kids with Tate Paul and four hours with her baby with Dakota. That's it. A week.
00:10:20
Speaker 2: That's heartbreaking, baby.
00:10:21
Speaker 1: That's all you get.
00:10:22
Speaker 2: I mean, that's heartbreaking for her. I know, I know, I know. A lot of people listening, she brought this on herself. She's doing this. She's a bad mom. She's this and that. Oh, I understand people coming with that. But Rogues, that's his heartbreaking stuff. Just talking as parents here, man, to hear A court is saying, you are such a threat. You don't have it together that you can only see your child for four hours.
00:10:48
Speaker 1: A week.
00:10:48
Speaker 2: Robes, Sabine comes home after school. We spend a quality four hours.
00:10:53
Speaker 1: Every day.
00:10:53
Speaker 2: Just talking. Not doing stuff.
00:10:56
Speaker 1: Just talking.
00:10:57
Speaker 2: Robes, that is painful. That is hurtful. I hope this girl gets it together because we said from the very beginning, we always liked her.
00:11:05
Speaker 1: She seemed real.
00:11:06
Speaker 2: From the moment she walked in the room, she is real now. and real folks have real problems. She's just like the rest of us in a lot of ways. How many of us got family members, can't get it together? How many of us got all this stuff going on?
00:11:17
Speaker 1: And cameras rolling and the pressure and the scrutiny and the shame, that cannot help. And so if you already, because when we interviewed her, She was sober, and she had been sober, I believe, for a year at that point. She was very proud of it. But unfortunately, when you are battling addiction or any sort of impulse control, and now you add public shame, scrutiny, a feeling of hopelessness, losing custody, that all makes you want to do the behavior you're trying to stop. It feeds- Into this vicious cycle and it's awful to see it all playing out in front of everyone.
00:11:54
Speaker 2: And I remember seeing her mom on an episode, but I mean, what is her support group? Because all the women that are there and her friends that she's working with hate her, at least according to what she's explaining. Like, who is helping this young lady?
00:12:06
Speaker 1: Yeah.
00:12:07
Speaker 2: And again, I don't sit here and make any excuses for her, but I just, I do, baby. I give folks a little grace. She is going through it and yes, she should be scrutinized and even criticized, beat up?
00:12:20
Speaker 1: No. Yes. Bullied? No. And when we come back, look, this is a big loss for the series, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, because they've had two other star cast members just quit, and two of their other star members are saying TBD if they're going to continue on after season six. Welcome back, everyone, to Amy and TJ. Yes, Taylor, Frankie, Paul has made the announcement on social media that she is leaving the secret lives of Mormon wives because of bullying by her castmates. And we read a lot of what she put out there on social media. A lot of people think it is in direct response to Michaela Matthews. She's another big star. She announced that she was leaving in the middle of filming season six. So this made some headlines. Because she not only said she was leaving in the middle of filming, she gave the reason why. And it was a direct shot at Taylor Frankie Paul. So Michaela wrote this. I made my decision over a week ago after hearing some news, and we believe this is the failed drug tests, that I will not be continuing the show at this moment. I've said from the beginning. I'm not comfortable being a part of something that continues to platform behavior I don't agree with, especially given my own experience growing up in a home with multiple forms of abuse. There's no amount of money worth going against my morals or changing the stance I've had since I first saw and heard things that made me feel this strongly. And for me personally, continuing to directly profit from this behavior feels wrong and unethical. It feels like a disservice to the children, everyone, and the millions of people watching.
00:14:11
Speaker 2: Okay. Michaela... Matthews. said the thing that Hulu and Disney probably should have said. Damn, Michaela. I'm looking at her now and I recognize her, who she is from the show. Yes.
00:14:25
Speaker 1: Damn. She's a prominent star.
00:14:27
Speaker 2: Baby, she said the thing. I don't have it in front of me. I want to ask you to read that last... The part benefiting from behavior. What did she just say?
00:14:37
Speaker 1: Oh, yeah. She said there is no... Wait, sorry. The benefit of the behavior.
00:14:41
Speaker 2: There's no amount of money.
00:14:42
Speaker 1: That's it.
00:14:43
Speaker 2: From there.
00:14:45
Speaker 1: Yeah.
00:14:45
Speaker 2: Okay.
00:14:45
Speaker 1: I'm not comfortable being a part of something that continues to platform behavior I don't agree with, especially given my own experience growing up in a home with multiple forms of abuse. There's no amount of money worth going against my morals. or changing the stance I've had since I first saw and heard the things that made me feel this strongly. And for me personally, continuing to directly profit from this behavior feels wrong and unethical. Mikayla.
00:15:12
Speaker 2: She said it. God. Mikayla, because isn't that the thing?
00:15:18
Speaker 1: And you're right. I didn't think about it like that. Hulu and Disney. should have said the exact same thing.
00:15:23
Speaker 2: We don't want to continue to directly profit from this behavior because we know we are profiting on her being a mess. We're profiting on her pain, her court appearances, her drug deals, her arrests. We are actually, because they know this.
00:15:40
Speaker 1: And some might argue her children's abuse.
00:15:42
Speaker 2: They know this. Michaela, well done, well said. She brought it home. That was it. baby, directly profiting. And I just put their names there first. If Disney had said that, if Hulu had done that, I understand they lost a lot of money on The Bachelorette, right?
00:16:00
Speaker 1: But that was a calculated choice they made and they knew the risks. It was.
00:16:03
Speaker 2: And they knew more than we did.
00:16:04
Speaker 1: They knew she had a domestic violence conviction.
00:16:08
Speaker 2: The videos that come out and all of this, Robes, it does. That statement, if it gets repeated, makes everybody else feel like we don't care. how horrible things are going in her life personally, that's bringing us viewers. Robes, Mikayla, I don't know much about her. I don't know anything about her. But that right there, that reads for me, baby. That makes sense. And isn't this what this is all about? And our upset at the Robes, it's not throwing us back into this thing, baby. But when you see someone, a company, make a decision on what they believe is the right moral character balanced against Balance sheets. And they made a calculation that what she did was worth it. We'll continue to promote this bad behavior.
00:16:56
Speaker 1: Yeah.
00:16:56
Speaker 2: Let's get paid. Rose, Michaela just messed me up.
00:16:58
Speaker 1: Yeah. And interestingly, Hulu has not said a word since Taylor Frankie Paul has made this announcement. And people are speculating or at least saying, well, now Disney certainly can't put The Bachelorette up now with these failed drug tests because they have absolutely been holding on to that season, hoping- that they could possibly, if she redeemed herself, if there was some sort of, you know, rising from the ashes, if they could actually follow that narrative, then they could maybe get the bachelorette back on. But this girl is a mess and she needs help. And she doesn't, I mean, I don't see how it's even possible. So that's now, oh, it's probably not, it should never have even been likely or even in any way a possible thing. opportunity for them to put this season back on.
00:17:46
Speaker 2: What was their language in talking? Because they never closed the door on it.
00:17:51
Speaker 1: At this time. I believe everything.
00:17:53
Speaker 2: Was at this time. You're 100% right.
00:17:55
Speaker 1: That was the phrase that they used. But we also heard from Macy Neely and Layla Taylor. And Layla, remember, we had her in the studio with us. They both announced that, yes, they're finishing filming season six, unlike Michaela, who just dropped out. But in terms of a season seven or a season eight, they say they are unsure about their future on the show. Whitney Leavitt also left, but that was season five because, look, this girl has blown up. She played Roxy in Chicago to great reviews. She's making her feature debut in a holiday rom-com, so she's on her way with her acting and singing career. So Whitney's out of there. They also announced that Dakota... is not returning for any of the seasons either, but we didn't think he would be either because of the whole entanglement with Taylor Frankie Paul. But this is a mess.
00:18:44
Speaker 2: It is. And there are some executives sitting somewhere going, man, how can we make this work for us? Trying to figure this out. Are they trying to salvage Season six?
00:18:53
Speaker 1: Well, they just announced, yes, obviously they're trying to salvage season six, and they're also trying to set up a season seven and a season eight right now.
00:19:00
Speaker 2: How deep are they into shooting season six?
00:19:01
Speaker 1: Halfway, midway through. They're midway through.
00:19:04
Speaker 2: So then people will probably tune in for this drama, won't they?
00:19:07
Speaker 1: They will absolutely tune in to see what happens and how it all went down and this bullying that she talks about.
00:19:12
Speaker 2: Is this, babe, are they just messing with us again? Is there any chance this is her? Is this calculated? This is building up? It's okay, this was in the, ooh, I gotta watch to see this bullying. that happens in episode one, two, three, four, and five before she finds, is there any chance, babe?
00:19:27
Speaker 1: Look, I know that there are plenty of cynics out there who might believe that is the case. It didn't seem like it from her Instagram post. It seemed heartfelt. And I think given the fact that she has, according to TMZ, failed multiple recent drug tests, that her visitation has been limited further with her kids, it all reads as true and authentic.
00:19:48
Speaker 2: That's awful. But i don't know i don't disney doesn't need to say anything about the bachelorette there was no it wasn't on the schedule anyway i'm just i am curious and when did the info come out about her um the uh where she spent the night after she left the bachelorette shooting she went to dakota.
00:20:06
Speaker 1: That's all been out. It's been out for, I'm trying to remember, for just for a few days now.
00:20:11
Speaker 2: Okay, but that is new.
00:20:13
Speaker 1: It's fairly new that she, because someone said that she literally got engaged on The Bachelorette, got home and that night slept with Dakota. I believe she said no, it was the next night. So the point being is, how could you possibly put The Bachelorette on and have anybody be engaged? I mean, I guess people would watch just to watch. but you aren't actually watching somebody fall in love and want to get married to somebody because clearly she came back home and went straight back to Dakota.
00:20:42
Speaker 2: How could they? They would just have to put, maybe they could put it online somewhere. Would people watch it?
00:20:46
Speaker 1: Yes, of course they would watch it because also remember you and I, the one we did watch on season five at the end was her heading out to go onto The Bachelorette and we see her literally telling Dakota she loves him basically. So, That already seemed disingenuous in terms of why she was going on The Bachelor. Why would you be going on a show to find love if you're telling someone else that you're in a toxic relationship with that you're in love with them?
00:21:10
Speaker 2: That's burned in my memory right now. She was in that SUV having that call. He was standing in the kitchen somewhere. Save a rose for me.
00:21:17
Speaker 1: Isn't that what he said or something like that? It didn't feel like she had any intention whatsoever to move on and find someone else. Certainly not someone else who she would go find. right off into the sunset with.
00:21:29
Speaker 2: Where is that guy? I'd like to talk to him. I mean, they should all sue. No, I'm not, don't mean that literally, but I'm saying if somebody did, I would go, okay, I could see that.
00:21:39
Speaker 1: I could see it too. And who's to say that won't happen? Maybe they were holding out hope that somehow, some way the season would still be salvaged.
00:21:46
Speaker 2: But you put us in a situation with a woman that you all knew wasn't available. She wasn't available. And you're telling me, I'm sure there are a few guys in there, maybe a handful trying to get some clout, maybe trying to build a following, maybe want to be famous. There's a few guys who were looking for love. There were a few guys who were hoping to find something special, a relationship. You put them in there with this.
00:22:11
Speaker 1: And to that point, it damaged the entire credibility of the franchise. Damn.
00:22:18
Speaker 2: That's it. It just sucks. This is a storied franchise. We've enjoyed it over the years, a time or two for whatever reason. But at this point, it's an institution damn near. You don't want to see it go out like this. I can actually say that. I don't want it to go out like this.
00:22:32
Speaker 1: Absolutely not. No. But just think about how many people's lives... were upended and some would even argue destroyed from all of this. And executives who knew better, executives who knew what was going on, decided to focus on profits versus on people. And I think that's pretty obvious.
00:22:54
Speaker 2: Just give Macy, what was her name? The young lady who, Kayla, what's the one that did the, Michaela?
00:22:58
Speaker 1: Michaela. Amen.
00:22:59
Speaker 2: She nailed it.
00:23:00
Speaker 1: Michaela Matthews.
00:23:02
Speaker 2: Michaela nailed it.
00:23:03
Speaker 1: For the win, I guess, because there aren't many winners in this one. But we'll continue to follow... the headlines that seem to keep percolating around Taylor Frankie Paul. With that, everyone, though, we always appreciate you listening to us. I'm Amy Robach, alongside TJ Holmes. We'll talk soon.
Speaker 1: Hey there, folks.
00:00:02
Speaker 2: It is Tuesday, September 22nd, and the star of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives says she is stepping away from the show because she's getting sick of being bullied by her castmates. And with that, welcome to this episode of Amy and TJ. When I say the star of this show, nobody has to Pause for a second. We know who I'm talking about?
00:00:26
Speaker 1: Yes. Taylor, Frankie, Paul.
00:00:28
Speaker 2: Can I ask? Can you name off the top of your head before you started doing this research this morning another person who's a member of that cast?
00:00:36
Speaker 1: I know. I can't give you first and last name. I know Whitney. I know Michaela. I know Macy.
00:00:42
Speaker 2: Michaela's a black girl.
00:00:43
Speaker 1: No, that's Layla. We've interviewed her.
00:00:45
Speaker 2: Layla?
00:00:46
Speaker 1: Yeah, we... Her name started with an M.
00:00:47
Speaker 2: Layla. Okay. The point being.
00:00:49
Speaker 1: But we've interviewed Macy as well. She's the blonde.
00:00:52
Speaker 2: Our point here being... And apologies that people we have even sat in a room with. Nobody stands out on this show the way that Taylor Frankie Paul does. That just is fact, is it not?
00:01:07
Speaker 1: No one else is a household name the way she is.
00:01:10
Speaker 2: And so, Robes, this was a big deal for her to be coming back, was it not? They're shooting season six right now.
00:01:15
Speaker 1: Yes, they're in the middle of shooting season six. And yes, for her to abruptly announce, and look, The franchise has justâ I say franchise. The series has just announced that it's being renewed for two more seasons. But nowâ The Mormon thing? Yes. Because it's been so successful. But a lot of folks would point to the fact that Taylor Frankie Paul is the reason why it's been so successful. She's the reason why the show exists in the first place. It was her whole soft swinging scandal that led to the show. And now, with all of the drama with the Bachelorette and her custody battles and her issues with failed drug tests that we'll get into, yeah, that controversy, that gets people watching. So for her to leave is a big deal.
00:01:59
Speaker 2: This show is about nothing but drama, Robes. Like you said, it's even existence was based on that. Is this just more drama? Is this just what they do? And she'll be back on the show and... Does this feel any different to you than some of the other ones?
00:02:16
Speaker 1: A little bit in that I still think it could be temporary. I still think, obviously, she could come back or she could change her mind. But I do believe that she is at a very vulnerable state or in a very vulnerable state. And she has, at least in the pastâ year used Instagram and used social media to share with her followers what she's going through, how she's feeling. And I think it's fair. I mean, I can only imagine what it would be like to be fighting for custody or at least just even visitation at this point of my kids fighting with two exes publicly dealing with domestic violence, not just allegations, but convictions and then more allegations that that would, Bury just about anybody. Now do it on a reality TV show where all the other girls are talking shit about you. Yes, that's a lot to deal with.
00:03:13
Speaker 2: Not that you were piling on, but I'd never put all of her problems collectively in that batch. I mean, everybody in their life, what's the worst thing you have to do? Oftentimes in a relationship, have some kind of fight with your ex. If that fight involves court, even worse. If that fight involves kids, even worse. She's got all that. She's got criminal charges, Robes. How awful is that for somebody to deal with? And now she's dealing with what? Reputation and even her ability to make money. Robes, everything seems to be crumbling around this young lady. I know some people say this is her fault, but man, I could give some grace for that's a lot.
00:03:47
Speaker 1: Yes, I can still say, even if it's all self-imposed, which it appears to be, I still can... feel sorry for her and not in a like I'm pitying her way and that that is incredibly that is a huge unbelievably difficult hole to dig yourself out of.
00:04:04
Speaker 2: And she is digging the wrong direction it seems Robes in a lot of what's coming out now this idea I mean I was a little surprised no I'm not surprised of course they were going to bring her back to the show season five just dropped this summer and that one's all out people can see but they've been shooting season six Taylor Frankie Paul is going to be back I was curious. I have to be honest, babe. I was curious to see how they were going to bring her back into the fold. And I might check that show out. We haven't watched the first season since then.
00:04:32
Speaker 1: No, we only watched the first season. And I think we've seen a couple episodes here and there. We watched the episode on season five where she was leaving to go to The Bachelorette. Oh, my goodness. So, yes, I mean, it is drama-filled. There's no question about it. But she put out an extremely long Instagram post. She had a caption on one side, and then she had three slides saying, with three different pictures and comments on each of them. We can go through it a little bit. I don't know if we need to read the whole thing.
00:05:02
Speaker 2: Well, how much do you think? I ran through it all, but with the parts you think are most relevant, I'm with you.
00:05:07
Speaker 1: Yes. So she starts by saying, my gratitude goes to all the networks that supported me throughout this and gave me the chance to return. However, I don't desire to move forward like this. I originally was willing to be removed to let them all continue on with less stress, and I'm back to that point. Some of the girls know what I've been through. And then to turn and collectively pile on with their statements, knowing there has been ongoing abuse throughout the system in the last eight months on top of what I've endured. Almost the entire case, plus some going at me, laughing about my kids, is disgusting. And I bit my tongue there. These same people had meetings telling me I need to lead the way of pay. My voice was the only one that can make it happen. And then they would work from what I demanded. I'm grateful I never followed through with their request of demands. And I'm grateful I kept the same pay out of fairness and integrity. I treated production and crew with respect always. In fact, they are the ones who checked on me throughout this. I agree it's to the point of bullying for months now. What makes it harder to take in is some of these parents have made mistakes that would result in the same judgment I'm receiving, yet pointing a finger. However, it's a pleasure to remove myself so they can continue because I've almost convinced myself I'm deserving of all this pain to a certain degree. Absolutely, this is the consequence of my actions. My question has been, how much suffering and scrutiny is going to be enough? I'm just relieved to be out.
00:06:54
Speaker 2: Look, she threw around some allegations there that I don't know if the other women have come out and completely been able to answer. But short of that, I believe in what she's saying. I can't imagine what that feels like. And I know she's supposed to live her life. She's supposed to expose, give us everything. That's the expectation. That's why she became a star. Bro, she probably should. I don't know if she should have come right back to the show so quickly. She's got a lot. We've been watching live streamed court hearings between her and Dakota. She's just exposed in every way. Robes, some of that pain is maybe coming through in that.
00:07:35
Speaker 1: Exactly. And some of the slides with the pictures on two of them, she shows herself. There's like a selfie where she looks distraught. And she puts up comments from other people basically saying, you're being bullied. So she's getting validation from users, and she put their comments up about basically that the girls on the cast have been bullying her. But the one that I thought was really interesting, she has a picture of her in the desert. I believe it's the opening to seasonâ I don't know if it's five or six. But she said, I wasn't in the introâ Because I was sent messages stating there was a group that wanted me to get to the point of committing suicide. I turned around sick, wanting to be home. Real or not, someone made them for me to read. So it was a little cryptic, I guess. I don't know. I haven't watched the opening to season five. I don't know if she's referring to the opening of season six. But it looks like it's this, you know, and she just has like one shot of it. And apparently she's not in the interest. She was saying she had to leave. while they were filming because she heard that there was a group trying to make her feel so bad about herself that they wanted her to kill herself.
00:08:48
Speaker 2: I'm hearing that right. The suggestion is we're going to do this mean thing to her to push her over the edge?
00:08:53
Speaker 1: Yes, yes. So she said that's what she's alleging. And look, in terms of allegations, TMZ has come out with, if true, this is significant. She has reportedly failed multiple times recent drug tests, according to the outlet. She was ordered by a Utah court in the whole custody thing to have this random drug testing. And the results of those drug tests were under a protective order, but her ex-husband asked for them to be unsealed. And then at that point, somehow TMZ gained access to them. And they claim that she has failed multiple drug tests in the last 60 days.
00:09:33
Speaker 2: Multiple, baby. I mean, what is she?
00:09:36
Speaker 1: I don't know. It's tough. It's tough.
00:09:39
Speaker 2: If that is true, she did it. If there's some other explanation for that, some prescription drugs she was taking, I don't know. But, Robes, it's piling on. As much as she's being watched and scrutinized, it's hard to understand why she would do that. She's got to be on the best behavior for your kids sake didn't they just reduce right her her parenting.
00:10:02
Speaker 1: So now the court because of these drug tests ordered that she is now limited to eight hours of parenting time each week so she gets four hours with her two kids with Tate Paul and four hours with her baby with Dakota. That's it. A week.
00:10:20
Speaker 2: That's heartbreaking, baby.
00:10:21
Speaker 1: That's all you get.
00:10:22
Speaker 2: I mean, that's heartbreaking for her. I know, I know, I know. A lot of people listening, she brought this on herself. She's doing this. She's a bad mom. She's this and that. Oh, I understand people coming with that. But Rogues, that's his heartbreaking stuff. Just talking as parents here, man, to hear A court is saying, you are such a threat. You don't have it together that you can only see your child for four hours.
00:10:48
Speaker 1: A week.
00:10:48
Speaker 2: Robes, Sabine comes home after school. We spend a quality four hours.
00:10:53
Speaker 1: Every day.
00:10:53
Speaker 2: Just talking. Not doing stuff.
00:10:56
Speaker 1: Just talking.
00:10:57
Speaker 2: Robes, that is painful. That is hurtful. I hope this girl gets it together because we said from the very beginning, we always liked her.
00:11:05
Speaker 1: She seemed real.
00:11:06
Speaker 2: From the moment she walked in the room, she is real now. and real folks have real problems. She's just like the rest of us in a lot of ways. How many of us got family members, can't get it together? How many of us got all this stuff going on?
00:11:17
Speaker 1: And cameras rolling and the pressure and the scrutiny and the shame, that cannot help. And so if you already, because when we interviewed her, She was sober, and she had been sober, I believe, for a year at that point. She was very proud of it. But unfortunately, when you are battling addiction or any sort of impulse control, and now you add public shame, scrutiny, a feeling of hopelessness, losing custody, that all makes you want to do the behavior you're trying to stop. It feeds- Into this vicious cycle and it's awful to see it all playing out in front of everyone.
00:11:54
Speaker 2: And I remember seeing her mom on an episode, but I mean, what is her support group? Because all the women that are there and her friends that she's working with hate her, at least according to what she's explaining. Like, who is helping this young lady?
00:12:06
Speaker 1: Yeah.
00:12:07
Speaker 2: And again, I don't sit here and make any excuses for her, but I just, I do, baby. I give folks a little grace. She is going through it and yes, she should be scrutinized and even criticized, beat up?
00:12:20
Speaker 1: No. Yes. Bullied? No. And when we come back, look, this is a big loss for the series, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, because they've had two other star cast members just quit, and two of their other star members are saying TBD if they're going to continue on after season six. Welcome back, everyone, to Amy and TJ. Yes, Taylor, Frankie, Paul has made the announcement on social media that she is leaving the secret lives of Mormon wives because of bullying by her castmates. And we read a lot of what she put out there on social media. A lot of people think it is in direct response to Michaela Matthews. She's another big star. She announced that she was leaving in the middle of filming season six. So this made some headlines. Because she not only said she was leaving in the middle of filming, she gave the reason why. And it was a direct shot at Taylor Frankie Paul. So Michaela wrote this. I made my decision over a week ago after hearing some news, and we believe this is the failed drug tests, that I will not be continuing the show at this moment. I've said from the beginning. I'm not comfortable being a part of something that continues to platform behavior I don't agree with, especially given my own experience growing up in a home with multiple forms of abuse. There's no amount of money worth going against my morals or changing the stance I've had since I first saw and heard things that made me feel this strongly. And for me personally, continuing to directly profit from this behavior feels wrong and unethical. It feels like a disservice to the children, everyone, and the millions of people watching.
00:14:11
Speaker 2: Okay. Michaela... Matthews. said the thing that Hulu and Disney probably should have said. Damn, Michaela. I'm looking at her now and I recognize her, who she is from the show. Yes.
00:14:25
Speaker 1: Damn. She's a prominent star.
00:14:27
Speaker 2: Baby, she said the thing. I don't have it in front of me. I want to ask you to read that last... The part benefiting from behavior. What did she just say?
00:14:37
Speaker 1: Oh, yeah. She said there is no... Wait, sorry. The benefit of the behavior.
00:14:41
Speaker 2: There's no amount of money.
00:14:42
Speaker 1: That's it.
00:14:43
Speaker 2: From there.
00:14:45
Speaker 1: Yeah.
00:14:45
Speaker 2: Okay.
00:14:45
Speaker 1: I'm not comfortable being a part of something that continues to platform behavior I don't agree with, especially given my own experience growing up in a home with multiple forms of abuse. There's no amount of money worth going against my morals. or changing the stance I've had since I first saw and heard the things that made me feel this strongly. And for me personally, continuing to directly profit from this behavior feels wrong and unethical. Mikayla.
00:15:12
Speaker 2: She said it. God. Mikayla, because isn't that the thing?
00:15:18
Speaker 1: And you're right. I didn't think about it like that. Hulu and Disney. should have said the exact same thing.
00:15:23
Speaker 2: We don't want to continue to directly profit from this behavior because we know we are profiting on her being a mess. We're profiting on her pain, her court appearances, her drug deals, her arrests. We are actually, because they know this.
00:15:40
Speaker 1: And some might argue her children's abuse.
00:15:42
Speaker 2: They know this. Michaela, well done, well said. She brought it home. That was it. baby, directly profiting. And I just put their names there first. If Disney had said that, if Hulu had done that, I understand they lost a lot of money on The Bachelorette, right?
00:16:00
Speaker 1: But that was a calculated choice they made and they knew the risks. It was.
00:16:03
Speaker 2: And they knew more than we did.
00:16:04
Speaker 1: They knew she had a domestic violence conviction.
00:16:08
Speaker 2: The videos that come out and all of this, Robes, it does. That statement, if it gets repeated, makes everybody else feel like we don't care. how horrible things are going in her life personally, that's bringing us viewers. Robes, Mikayla, I don't know much about her. I don't know anything about her. But that right there, that reads for me, baby. That makes sense. And isn't this what this is all about? And our upset at the Robes, it's not throwing us back into this thing, baby. But when you see someone, a company, make a decision on what they believe is the right moral character balanced against Balance sheets. And they made a calculation that what she did was worth it. We'll continue to promote this bad behavior.
00:16:56
Speaker 1: Yeah.
00:16:56
Speaker 2: Let's get paid. Rose, Michaela just messed me up.
00:16:58
Speaker 1: Yeah. And interestingly, Hulu has not said a word since Taylor Frankie Paul has made this announcement. And people are speculating or at least saying, well, now Disney certainly can't put The Bachelorette up now with these failed drug tests because they have absolutely been holding on to that season, hoping- that they could possibly, if she redeemed herself, if there was some sort of, you know, rising from the ashes, if they could actually follow that narrative, then they could maybe get the bachelorette back on. But this girl is a mess and she needs help. And she doesn't, I mean, I don't see how it's even possible. So that's now, oh, it's probably not, it should never have even been likely or even in any way a possible thing. opportunity for them to put this season back on.
00:17:46
Speaker 2: What was their language in talking? Because they never closed the door on it.
00:17:51
Speaker 1: At this time. I believe everything.
00:17:53
Speaker 2: Was at this time. You're 100% right.
00:17:55
Speaker 1: That was the phrase that they used. But we also heard from Macy Neely and Layla Taylor. And Layla, remember, we had her in the studio with us. They both announced that, yes, they're finishing filming season six, unlike Michaela, who just dropped out. But in terms of a season seven or a season eight, they say they are unsure about their future on the show. Whitney Leavitt also left, but that was season five because, look, this girl has blown up. She played Roxy in Chicago to great reviews. She's making her feature debut in a holiday rom-com, so she's on her way with her acting and singing career. So Whitney's out of there. They also announced that Dakota... is not returning for any of the seasons either, but we didn't think he would be either because of the whole entanglement with Taylor Frankie Paul. But this is a mess.
00:18:44
Speaker 2: It is. And there are some executives sitting somewhere going, man, how can we make this work for us? Trying to figure this out. Are they trying to salvage Season six?
00:18:53
Speaker 1: Well, they just announced, yes, obviously they're trying to salvage season six, and they're also trying to set up a season seven and a season eight right now.
00:19:00
Speaker 2: How deep are they into shooting season six?
00:19:01
Speaker 1: Halfway, midway through. They're midway through.
00:19:04
Speaker 2: So then people will probably tune in for this drama, won't they?
00:19:07
Speaker 1: They will absolutely tune in to see what happens and how it all went down and this bullying that she talks about.
00:19:12
Speaker 2: Is this, babe, are they just messing with us again? Is there any chance this is her? Is this calculated? This is building up? It's okay, this was in the, ooh, I gotta watch to see this bullying. that happens in episode one, two, three, four, and five before she finds, is there any chance, babe?
00:19:27
Speaker 1: Look, I know that there are plenty of cynics out there who might believe that is the case. It didn't seem like it from her Instagram post. It seemed heartfelt. And I think given the fact that she has, according to TMZ, failed multiple recent drug tests, that her visitation has been limited further with her kids, it all reads as true and authentic.
00:19:48
Speaker 2: That's awful. But i don't know i don't disney doesn't need to say anything about the bachelorette there was no it wasn't on the schedule anyway i'm just i am curious and when did the info come out about her um the uh where she spent the night after she left the bachelorette shooting she went to dakota.
00:20:06
Speaker 1: That's all been out. It's been out for, I'm trying to remember, for just for a few days now.
00:20:11
Speaker 2: Okay, but that is new.
00:20:13
Speaker 1: It's fairly new that she, because someone said that she literally got engaged on The Bachelorette, got home and that night slept with Dakota. I believe she said no, it was the next night. So the point being is, how could you possibly put The Bachelorette on and have anybody be engaged? I mean, I guess people would watch just to watch. but you aren't actually watching somebody fall in love and want to get married to somebody because clearly she came back home and went straight back to Dakota.
00:20:42
Speaker 2: How could they? They would just have to put, maybe they could put it online somewhere. Would people watch it?
00:20:46
Speaker 1: Yes, of course they would watch it because also remember you and I, the one we did watch on season five at the end was her heading out to go onto The Bachelorette and we see her literally telling Dakota she loves him basically. So, That already seemed disingenuous in terms of why she was going on The Bachelor. Why would you be going on a show to find love if you're telling someone else that you're in a toxic relationship with that you're in love with them?
00:21:10
Speaker 2: That's burned in my memory right now. She was in that SUV having that call. He was standing in the kitchen somewhere. Save a rose for me.
00:21:17
Speaker 1: Isn't that what he said or something like that? It didn't feel like she had any intention whatsoever to move on and find someone else. Certainly not someone else who she would go find. right off into the sunset with.
00:21:29
Speaker 2: Where is that guy? I'd like to talk to him. I mean, they should all sue. No, I'm not, don't mean that literally, but I'm saying if somebody did, I would go, okay, I could see that.
00:21:39
Speaker 1: I could see it too. And who's to say that won't happen? Maybe they were holding out hope that somehow, some way the season would still be salvaged.
00:21:46
Speaker 2: But you put us in a situation with a woman that you all knew wasn't available. She wasn't available. And you're telling me, I'm sure there are a few guys in there, maybe a handful trying to get some clout, maybe trying to build a following, maybe want to be famous. There's a few guys who were looking for love. There were a few guys who were hoping to find something special, a relationship. You put them in there with this.
00:22:11
Speaker 1: And to that point, it damaged the entire credibility of the franchise. Damn.
00:22:18
Speaker 2: That's it. It just sucks. This is a storied franchise. We've enjoyed it over the years, a time or two for whatever reason. But at this point, it's an institution damn near. You don't want to see it go out like this. I can actually say that. I don't want it to go out like this.
00:22:32
Speaker 1: Absolutely not. No. But just think about how many people's lives... were upended and some would even argue destroyed from all of this. And executives who knew better, executives who knew what was going on, decided to focus on profits versus on people. And I think that's pretty obvious.
00:22:54
Speaker 2: Just give Macy, what was her name? The young lady who, Kayla, what's the one that did the, Michaela?
00:22:58
Speaker 1: Michaela. Amen.
00:22:59
Speaker 2: She nailed it.
00:23:00
Speaker 1: Michaela Matthews.
00:23:02
Speaker 2: Michaela nailed it.
00:23:03
Speaker 1: For the win, I guess, because there aren't many winners in this one. But we'll continue to follow... the headlines that seem to keep percolating around Taylor Frankie Paul. With that, everyone, though, we always appreciate you listening to us. I'm Amy Robach, alongside TJ Holmes. We'll talk soon.