Taylor Frankie Paul’s final days before filming The Bachelorette were more chaotic than viewers expected: new details say her ex hooked up with her just a day before she left to start the show, raising questions that could shape the season debut on March 22 on ABC.

What happened

According to the latest episode of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Taylor and her ex, Dakota Mortensen, continued a volatile on-again, off-again relationship in the days before she flew to Los Angeles to begin filming. Castmates say the two slept together in Los Angeles during a period of ongoing conflict, and the reunion reportedly occurred again mere hours before Taylor’s flight.

The series reports Dakota told people Taylor was ovulating when they had sex and that protection wasn’t used. Those claims, and Dakota’s reported attempts to stoke jealousy by sleeping with others in Taylor’s circle, contributed to the behind-the-scenes turmoil.

Near last-minute exit

Production-level pressure and personal drama nearly derailed Taylor’s participation. Sources on the series described a scene where Taylor refused to leave her room on the day of her flight, and family members — including her mother and sister — intervened to persuade her to go. The story says Taylor ultimately boarded the plane, after a FaceTime with Dakota in which he allegedly asked her to “save a rose.”

Why it matters now

This is the kind of real-life complication that can drive a season’s narrative. Producers and viewers now know there’s an immediate complication entering the Bachelor Mansion: an unresolved ex with allegations of unprotected sex and potential pregnancy concerns. How (or whether) that is addressed on-camera will determine how the season opens and what ethical questions it raises about consent, transparency and readiness to date.

Context and crossover culture

The reveal comes from a reality series focused on Mormon life and relationships, which makes this a behind-the-scenes scoop rather than an official statement from ABC. The idea of a “secret” romantic twist has cultural currency: even unrelated media like the video game Fields of Mistria uses the phrase “Secret Bachelorette” for a hidden romance candidate, showing how surprise relationships are a recurring entertainment trope.

Fan reaction and what’s next

  • Castmates on the companion series reportedly reacted with shock, and fans who follow reality-TV insiders are already debating implications online.
  • The Bachelorette premieres March 22 on ABC; viewers will likely watch early episodes closely for any sign the show addresses these claims.
  • It remains unclear whether pregnancy or health concerns will surface on camera or be discussed publicly by cast or producers.

For now, the headline is simple: a highly personal hookup reported to have occurred a day before filming began has injected extra drama into a season already billed as unpredictable. Audiences will get the first look when the series premieres March 22.