You’ve probably seen the TikTok clips. Maybe you’ve binged the entire first season on Hulu. Either way, if you’re following the chaos of #MomTok, you know that The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Dakota Mortensen is basically the lightning rod of the entire show. While the series focuses on a group of LDS influencers navigating a massive swinging scandal, it’s Dakota’s relationship with Taylor Frankie Paul that has everyone hitting the "pause" button to analyze his every move.
Is he the supportive partner Taylor needs? Or is he the "red flag" the rest of the cast—and most of the internet—seems to think he is?
Honestly, it's complicated.
Who is the man behind the MomTok drama?
Dakota Mortensen didn't ask to be at the center of a reality TV whirlwind, but when you start dating the woman who essentially broke the Mormon internet, that’s what happens. Dakota entered the picture shortly after Taylor’s very public divorce and the "soft swinging" scandal that rocked their Utah community.
He’s 30. He’s from the same general circles. But he carries a lot of baggage that the show doesn't always handle with a light touch.
The cameras caught him at a weird time. He was trying to build a foundation with Taylor while she was dealing with legal issues, a pregnancy, and the fallout from her previous life. It wasn't exactly a honeymoon phase. You see him on screen and sometimes he looks like he's just trying to keep his head above water, while other times, his intensity feels a bit much for the situation.
The addiction struggle and recovery
One thing the show actually gets right is being open about Dakota's past with substance abuse. This isn't just a "reality TV storyline" cooked up for ratings. Dakota has been vocal about his history with fentanyl addiction. It’s a heavy topic. In the context of a show that’s mostly about hair extensions and Soda Shop runs, his struggle brings a jarring dose of reality to the screen.
He’s been sober for years. That’s a massive win. But in the high-pressure environment of reality filming, those past demons are often used as a weapon by other cast members. People like Mayci and Whitney often question if he’s "stable" enough for Taylor. It’s a fair question for a friend to ask, but watching it play out on Hulu feels invasive.
📖 Related: Why Grand Funk’s Bad Time is Secretly the Best Pop Song of the 1970s
Why the cast can't stand him
If you watch The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, you’ll notice a recurring theme: almost none of the other women want Dakota around.
Why?
It’s partly because of the "Mayci vs. Dakota" feud. Mayci Neely, Taylor's supposed best friend, has been the loudest critic. She’s claimed that she’s seen behaviors that worry her. There were rumors—unconfirmed but loud—about infidelity or Dakota being at places he shouldn't be.
- Mayci thinks he’s manipulative.
- Taylor thinks he’s her rock.
- The audience is stuck somewhere in the middle.
It creates this weird dynamic where Taylor is constantly defending her choice to be with him while trying to maintain her friendships with the women who are actively trying to get her to leave him. It's messy. It’s also exactly why the show got renewed.
The pregnancy and the proposal that felt... off?
One of the biggest arcs involving The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Dakota Mortensen was the birth of their son, Enos. The pregnancy was high-risk. Taylor was under an immense amount of stress.
Then came the proposal.
In the finale, Dakota finally pops the question. But instead of a "happily ever after" moment, it felt heavy. Taylor didn't give a resounding "yes" immediately. It was more of a "let’s try this." It’s rare to see that kind of honesty on a reality show. Usually, it’s all rose petals and scripted joy. Here, you could see the doubt on her face.
👉 See also: Why La Mera Mera Radio is Actually Dominating Local Airwaves Right Now
You’ve got to wonder if they’re staying together because they want to, or because they now have a child and a TV contract. That’s the cynical view, anyway.
Breaking down the "Red Flags"
Let’s be real for a second. The internet loves to armchair-diagnose people. Since the show aired, Dakota has been labeled with every "toxic" trait in the book.
- The Love Bombing: Critics point out how fast he moved in with Taylor after her world collapsed.
- The Temper: There are moments on the show where Dakota’s frustration boils over. Is it just the edit? Maybe. But the way he speaks to the other women in the group often comes across as aggressive rather than defensive.
- The Isolation: Some fans argue that his presence has alienated Taylor from her support system.
But there’s a flip side. Taylor has repeatedly stated that Dakota was the only person who stayed by her side when the rest of the world (and her church) turned their backs on her. That kind of loyalty is hard to walk away from, even if it comes with some rough edges.
Life after the cameras stop rolling
Since Season 1 wrapped, things haven't exactly calmed down for Dakota and Taylor. They are still together, which actually surprised a lot of the show's viewers. They’ve been raising their son and trying to navigate the weird space of being "famous for being messy."
They post a lot on TikTok. Like, a lot.
If you follow them, you see a much different version of Dakota than the one Hulu shows. He’s often seen doing the "dad" thing—changing diapers, playing with Taylor’s kids from her previous marriage, and just being... normal. It makes you realize how much the "villain edit" might be at play. Reality TV needs a bad guy. Since the swinging scandal was already "old news" by the time they started filming, the producers needed a new source of tension.
Dakota provided that.
✨ Don't miss: Why Love Island Season 7 Episode 23 Still Feels Like a Fever Dream
The LDS perspective
It’s worth noting that Dakota, like Taylor, has a complicated relationship with the LDS church. Being a "Mormon Wife" (or husband) while living a life that clearly contradicts many of the church's core teachings creates a lot of internal and external friction.
Dakota doesn't seem to fit the mold of the "returned missionary" husband that the Utah culture prizes. He’s tattooed. He’s got a history. He’s blunt. In a culture that prizes "polite perfection," Dakota is a glitch in the system.
What to expect in Season 2
With the show's massive success, a second season is a lock. And you can bet that the relationship between Taylor and Dakota will be the focal point.
We’re likely going to see:
- The planning (or stalling) of a wedding.
- More clashes with Mayci and Whitney.
- The reality of parenting a newborn while under the microscope.
Basically, more of the same, but with higher stakes.
Actionable Takeaways for the Fanbase
If you’re obsessed with the drama surrounding The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Dakota Mortensen, here is how to keep up without losing your mind:
- Watch the TikToks, not just the show. The "real time" updates on social media often contradict the edited narrative we see on Hulu. The show was filmed months ago; their lives have moved on significantly.
- Be skeptical of the "Villain Edit." Every reality show needs a foil. Dakota is an easy target because of his past. Take the "aggressive" scenes with a grain of salt—we don't see the three hours of conversation leading up to a ten-second outburst.
- Follow the legal updates. Much of the tension in Dakota and Taylor's life stems from Taylor's past legal issues. Keeping an eye on the actual court documents (which are public) gives a clearer picture of their stress levels than a scripted lunch scene.
- Check out the "Vibe Room" podcast. Several cast members have gone on podcasts to explain what actually happened behind the scenes. This is where the real tea is spilled about who actually likes Dakota and who is just playing it up for the cameras.
The saga of Dakota and Taylor is far from over. Whether they make it down the aisle or end up as another reality TV casualty, they’ve successfully captured the attention of millions. Just remember: in the world of MomTok, nothing is ever quite as simple as it looks on your screen.