Taylor Frankie Paul has fired back at “keyboard warriors” amid her latest falling out with The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives costar Mikayla Matthews.
“Today, I talked to a trauma specialist and my coach and it’s validating to hear from professionals rather than keyboard warriors trying to tell me what to do,” Taylor, 31, wrote via her Instagram Story on Monday, May 11. “Also to see videos of other specialists speak on my situation just from what they can see from afar.”
The Mormon Wives star shared a series of videos from content creators supporting her following her recent court battles with ex Dakota Mortensen. (Taylor temporarily lost custody of her and Dakota’s son Ever, 2, after an alleged domestic violence incident between the pair in February. Utah police ultimately declined to press charges.)
Taylor took time to thank those who have stood by her throughout upheavals in her personal and professional lives over the last few months. (In March, ABC cancelled plans to air Taylor’s season of The Bachelorette following news of her domestic violence case while production on Mormon Wives season 5 was temporarily paused.)
“Just another big thank you all for the astounding support,” she wrote via her Instagram Story later on Monday. “Especially authors, therapists, doctors, specialists, attorneys from all over the nation, alongside neighbors, production, family and friends.”
Taylor’s latest comments follow more drama between her and Mormon Wives costar Mikayla, 26. On May 6, Mikayla replied to a comment complaining that she wasn’t publicly supporting Taylor and Jessi Draper following their recent personal issues.
Mikayla initially replied that the comment was “interesting,” then insisted she was “fed up” when a fan asked why she was suddenly addressing the issue. Another person suggested she should focus on her marital issues with husband Jace Terry and her chronic illness.
“Gotta love a biased double standard 🙃 I’d genuinely love to see how you’d handle being in the same position we’re in,” Mikayla responded. “If you feel entitled to comment on our life, don’t be surprised when we respond. I’m not someone who switches up my opinions just to save face online.”
She expanded on her views in an Instagram Story by explaining that she’d “tried to stay as removed” as possible from Taylor’s recent legal issues with Dakota, 33.
“I have felt absolutely sick to my stomach and horrible for what everyone involved must be feeling and going through,” Mikayla wrote. “However, it is not my job to enable poor or dangerous behavior from either party, especially when children are involved.”
Mikayla insisted that she’d tried to support Taylor during past crises, but now felt that “you cannot save someone who is unwilling to participate in their own rescue.”
Taylor took issue with Mikayla’s characterization of their falling out, describing her costar as “the epitome of someone that was waiting for my downfall and not only watched it, but clearly kicking me too.”
“I rarely, if ever, cried to her for help,” Taylor wrote. “I’m fed up, but I knew she was going through her own [health] stuff, and I didn’t want to make it worse. Clearly she can’t do the same. PS: she can find her way to the door if she doesn’t want to film with me. Next.”
Mikayla later denied that she was “praying for [Taylor’s] downfall.” Taylor seemingly took aim at Mikayla once again without directly naming her in a pointed Mother’s Day post on Sunday, May 10.
“It’s Mother’s Day so I’ll say whatever I want,” Taylor wrote via Instagram. “As if it’s not already the worst time. I have [sic] 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. That’s called shaming and attack while I had a moment to breathe and she knew that.”
Taylor once again referenced reports that Mikayla allegedly had concerns filming with her once Hulu resumes shooting Mormon Wives season 5.
“What other questions did you have in the concerns while filming with me… ’Does she get paid more than us?’ Save the ‘concern for children act,’” Taylor asked. “They all know I’m good to my children. I’ve missed more events, girls nights and opportunities to stay home with my kids more than some could ever say.”
She went on, “Happy mother to all the moms out there Of course I’m spiraling… people calling me out yet I can’t respond? Exactly what I will NOT be tolerating ever again. Thank you GOD for the people you sent to help me through this with my enemies so close.”
Taylor’s Mother’s Day posts did little to settle the feud, as Mikayla doubled down on her stance via Instagram that same day.
“Could probably write a book on everything I’ve had to say on this. Nothing I said denied that she’s experienced pain, trauma, or difficult things, there’s literally no question about that,” Matthews wrote. “Two things can be true. Someone can be hurting and still hurt people around them in the process.”
She added, “[My silence] was about no longer wanting to publicly participate in or normalize a cycle that was affecting everyone around it, especially where children and repeated violence were involved.”
If you or someone you know are experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
