Dakota’s Betrayal: The Shocking Identity of Who He Cheated on Taylor Frankie Paul With in ‘Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Season 3
The third season of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (SLOMW) promised explosive drama, but no one could have predicted the sheer level of betrayal that unfolded between Taylor Frankie Paul and her on-again, off-again partner, Dakota Mortensen. While the volatile couple managed to briefly reconcile, complete with a cozy-looking group trip and a secret night together, their fragile reunion was shattered by the revelation of another scandal—one that hit Taylor closer to home than ever before.
The burning question driving the season was not if Dakota had committed another act of infidelity, but who the other woman was. The answer, delivered in a bombshell moment, was a devastating blow: a close family friend, who was also the best friend of Taylor’s mother, Liann.
This revelation didn’t just end a relationship; it detonated a bomb within Taylor’s entire family circle, proving that in the world of MomTok, the scandal is always personal, and trust is the first casualty.
The Lingering Shadow of Dakota’s Past
Taylor and Dakota’s relationship has always been a focal point of the reality series, marked by a cycle of public breakups and private reconciliations. By the beginning of Season 3, they were already on the outs following a previous cheating revelation. Despite Taylor’s initial efforts to prioritize herself and attend a therapy retreat, the familiar magnetic pull of their relationship resurfaced during a group trip to the Stagecoach music festival. After a flirtatious weekend, the couple reconnected physically, sparking a glimmer of hope among family members who wished to see them raise their son, Ever, together in a stable environment.
However, happiness is fleeting in the world of SLOMW. The true nature of Dakota’s past actions came to light not through Taylor’s own investigation, but through a confession made to one of the other reality husbands, Jordan Ngatikaura.
The Bombshell Confession: It Was Taylor’s Mother’s Best Friend
Jordan confided in his wife, Jessi Ngatikaura, that Dakota had revealed a past “flirtation” to him. The incident, which Dakota confessed to occurring during one of his and Taylor’s many breakups, involved sexting and exchanging pictures with another woman. While Dakota maintained that the interaction never escalated to a physical meeting—claiming he “shut it down” before they could meet up—the emotional betrayal was irreparable.
The true shock came with the identity of the woman: a long-time family friend, referred to only as ‘Taylor’s mom’s friend’. Taylor was left reeling as she explained the woman’s deep ties to her inner circle:
“She’s at our Christmases. She’s at everything,” Taylor emotionally recalled. “I’m thinking back to our family parties when I’m pregnant. There’s a picture of him holding my belly, and she’s right there next to us.”
The timeline of the incident, which Taylor suggests occurred years ago while she was pregnant with their son, Ever, only twisted the knife deeper, highlighting the fact that she had been unknowingly interacting with this woman for years after the betrayal. The fact that Dakota had assured Taylor there were no more secrets only compounded the heartbreak. This marked the fourth time Taylor had discovered Dakota’s infidelity, or acts perceived as such, and the deeply personal nature of this particular betrayal made it a point of no return. The betrayal wasn’t just Dakota’s; it was also the family friend’s, who had crossed a boundary that is considered sacred in any tight-knit community.
The Confrontation and Denial
The climax of the scandal in Season 3 arrived when Taylor, supported by her mother, Liann, decided to confront the unnamed family friend. This confrontation, which took place on camera (though the friend’s voice was digitally altered to protect her identity), was a masterclass in deflection and denial.
Initially, the woman completely denied the allegations, feigning ignorance and saying, “What do you mean?”. As the conversation progressed and Taylor and Liann pressed for the truth, the story began to change. She moved from denial to claiming, “I don’t remember,” and eventually admitted to sending a picture, but insisted it was an innocent “swimming suit” photo from a Florida trip. Further contradictions arose when she denied inviting Dakota over, only to follow up with the excuse that she had only invited him over “to talk and cry it out”.
This wavering story made it clear to Taylor and her mother that the friend was not being truthful. Following the intense on-camera encounter, both Dakota and the family friend refused to discuss the matter further for the show, shutting down the storyline as Taylor sought accountability. The messy, unresolved conflict left Taylor feeling “completely grossed out,” cementing her conviction that her relationship with Dakota was beyond repair.
The Aftermath and Taylor’s Next Chapter
The emotional turmoil of Season 3 ultimately served as a catalyst for a monumental change in Taylor Frankie Paul’s life. With the revelation of the family friend scandal, Taylor realized that the cycle with Dakota was non-mendable and decided to finally cut the cord. As the season drew to a close, it set the stage for her next major life announcement: her move into the world of dating on a larger scale.
In a shocking and well-timed reality television crossover, Taylor Frankie Paul was tapped to lead the next season of The Bachelorette. The drama and complexity of her relationship with Dakota, and the devastating, yet public, betrayals she endured, resonated with producers looking for a compelling lead. Taylor admitted that Dakota found out about her casting along with the rest of the world, highlighting the finality of their split.
Ultimately, the family friend scandal became the breaking point, pushing Taylor from the toxic dynamic with Dakota and the MomTok group toward a new, global platform where she hopes to find a man with “great values, [who is] respectful, and thoughtful”. The story of the “who” may be dark and devastating, but for Taylor Frankie Paul, it paved the way for a dramatic new beginning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Was Dakota Mortensen’s Season 3 betrayal considered physical cheating?
A: According to the details revealed in The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Season 3, Dakota Mortensen was not physically unfaithful. The incident involved sexting and exchanging suggestive pictures with the other woman during a period when he and Taylor were broken up. While technically not infidelity in a strict legal sense (as they were broken up), Taylor viewed it as a major breach of trust and a devastating betrayal, especially since he kept the secret and the woman was a family friend.
Q: Who was the ‘family friend’ that Dakota cheated with?
A: The other woman’s name was never fully revealed on the show, but she was identified as a long-time family friend and a friend of Taylor’s mother, Liann. Taylor expressed immense shock and hurt because the woman had been a consistent presence in their family life, including during holidays and while Taylor was pregnant.
Q: What was the final outcome of Taylor and Dakota’s relationship in Season 3?
A: The discovery of the family friend scandal led to a final, definitive breakup for Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen. Taylor stated that the situation made her feel “completely grossed out,” and she declared the relationship “not mendable”. Her emotional journey away from Dakota directly set the stage for her subsequent casting as the lead for the next season of The Bachelorette.
Q: Did the family friend admit to the sexting allegations?
A: When Taylor and her mother confronted the woman on camera, the friend initially denied the allegations entirely, stating she had “never had a thing for Dakota”. However, under pressure, she became evasive, contradicting her own story and eventually admitting to sending a picture, though she downplayed its significance. Ultimately, both Dakota and the family friend refused to discuss the matter further on the show.
Read More:
This Post Has 0 Comments