Reality television is no stranger to volatility, but the latest development surrounding The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Dakota Mortensen marks a significant professional setback. In a move that has sent shockwaves through the “DadTok” community, Mortensen has reportedly been edited out of the upcoming third season of Hulu’s Vanderpump Villa.
The decision to scrub Mortensen’s presence from the series comes amid a storm of controversy involving an ongoing domestic violence investigation. The legal scrutiny involves both Mortensen and his ex-partner, Taylor Frankie Paul, with allegations of abuse surfacing from both sides of the dispute. According to reports from Cosmopolitan and Variety on April 3, 2026, Mortensen’s entire storyline will be removed from the season, effectively erasing his participation from the luxury getaway.
This career blow follows a period of intense media scrutiny for the couple. While Mortensen was initially set to join his fellow “DadTok” members—the husbands and exes of the core “MomTok” cast—on a trip to Rosecroft Park in the UK, the resulting footage will now never observe the light of day. For fans of the franchise, So a significant piece of the season’s drama, including a presumed hookup that was meant to be a central plot point, will be missing from the final cut.
The Catalyst: Domestic Violence Investigations and Mutual Allegations
The removal of Dakota Mortensen from Vanderpump Villa is not an isolated incident but the result of escalating legal tensions. The investigation stems from a domestic dispute that occurred in February, leading to mutual allegations of assault between Mortensen and Taylor Frankie Paul. These accusations were severe enough to temporarily pause the filming of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, highlighting the gravity of the situation for the production teams involved.
The nature of the investigation is complex, as both parties have leveled accusations of abuse against one another. While the legal process continues to unfold, the industry’s reaction has been swift. The decision by Hulu to edit Mortensen out of the series reflects a broader trend in reality television to distance brands from cast members embroiled in active criminal investigations or domestic violence scandals.
This pattern of professional consequences is already familiar to Taylor Frankie Paul. In a stark contrast to Mortensen’s current situation, Paul previously had an entire season of The Bachelorette pulled from the air after a domestic violence video from 2023 leaked to the public. The current investigation into the February incident suggests a recurring cycle of instability that has now directly impacted the career trajectory of both individuals.
DadTok’s Journey to Vanderpump Villa
For context, Mortensen is a key figure in “DadTok,” a group that has increasingly taken the spotlight in the later stages of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. The group, consisting of Mortensen, Jordan Ngatikaura, Chase McWhorter, Mason McWhorter, Zac Affleck and Jacob Neeley, was cast for the third installment of Vanderpump Villa to follow in the footsteps of the women from the previous season.
The production took the men to Newport Pagnell in the UK, where they were hosted by Lisa Vanderpump and her staff. While Mortensen is now absent from the edit, other members of the group remain. Specifically, Jordan Ngatikaura is expected to serve as the “guest of honor” for the season, which is also fronted by Vanderpump Rules alumna Stassi Schroeder according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The irony of the situation is not lost on viewers; the very drama that often makes these stars appealing to reality audiences has, in this instance, become a liability that transcends entertainment. The removal of a primary cast member during post-production is a costly and labor-intensive process, signaling that the network viewed Mortensen’s continued presence as an unacceptable risk.
A Divided Career Path: The Unwell Winter Games Controversy
Despite the loss of his Hulu storyline, Mortensen has not been entirely shut out of the reality TV circuit. In a move that has sparked significant backlash from fans and critics alike, he remains cast in the Unwell Winter Games, a new reality competition series backed by Alex Cooper’s Unwell Network.
The casting of Mortensen alongside other controversial figures has drawn intense scrutiny. The Unwell Winter Games lineup includes:
- Demi Engemann: A fellow Mormon Wives star who was sued for defamation by Marciano Brunette in late 2025.
- Alissa Violet: A YouTuber who reportedly faced arrest following an altercation with her boyfriend in February.
- Huda Mustafa: A Love Island USA star who reportedly received a temporary restraining order from the ex of her boyfriend, Louis Russell, in March.
- Anna Delvey: The infamous con artist and convicted felon.
The disparity between Hulu’s decision to erase Mortensen and the Unwell Network’s decision to feature him has led to a public debate regarding accountability in the influencer economy. Many fans have questioned why Mortensen is permitted to star in a YouTube-based competition while Taylor Frankie Paul faced the total cancellation of her Bachelorette season for similar issues as reported by Cosmopolitan.
Impact and Industry Implications
The “editing out” of a cast member is one of the most severe sanctions a production can impose. It not only removes the individual’s opportunity for visibility and profit but also attempts to scrub their influence from the narrative entirely. For Mortensen, this represents a loss of a high-profile platform on a major streaming service, which typically offers more prestige and reach than independent YouTube productions.
This situation underscores the precarious nature of “clout-based” careers. When a personal brand is built on conflict and drama, the line between “entertaining” and “unmarketable” is thin. The domestic violence investigation serves as a hard boundary for corporate entities like Hulu and Disney, who must adhere to strict brand safety guidelines.
Key Takeaways: The Mortensen-Paul Scandal
| Individual | Project Affected | Action Taken | Primary Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota Mortensen | Vanderpump Villa (S3) | Edited Out | Ongoing DV Investigation |
| Taylor Frankie Paul | The Bachelorette | Season Pulled | Leaked DV Video (2023) |
| Dakota Mortensen | Unwell Winter Games | Remains Cast | N/A (Controversial Casting) |
For those following this story, the intersection of legal proceedings and celebrity culture provides a cautionary tale. The fallout from the February incident continues to reshape the professional lives of those involved, proving that the “real” in reality TV can sometimes have permanent legal and professional consequences.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Consider calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or text START to 88788, or visit https://www.thehotline.org/.
The next critical checkpoint for this story will be the official release of the Unwell Winter Games, which will determine if the public backlash leads to further casting changes. We will continue to monitor the status of the domestic violence investigation and any official court filings involving Mortensen and Paul.
What are your thoughts on the decision to edit Dakota Mortensen out of the series? Does the contrast between his removal from Hulu and his appearance on the Unwell Network suggest a double standard? Let us know in the comments below and share this story to join the conversation.
Related reading