Taylor Frankie Paul has officially broken her silence following the domestic violence allegations against her just days before she is set to make her debut as the new “Bachelorette.”. “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star commented about the incident involving her and ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, who are parents to son Ever.. Taylor Frankie Paul Breaks Silence Following Domestic Violence Allegations. MEGA. Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE during a press preview of “The Bachelorette” in New York City on Tuesday, March 17, Paul addressed the domestic violence allegations against her for the first time.. “Honestly, just like, my heart hurts to see it, to go through it, especially at this time,” Paul told the outlet. “Just the timing is hard, and it’s a big deal. I feel like every premiere that I’ve experienced, I’ve never enjoyed fully, so this is another one… it’s extremely hard, and it took everything to get me here today.”. “It’s just heavy. It’s a heavy time, and it’s unfortunate,” she continued before sharing that she is currently “struggling” as the details and fallout of the incident continue to unfold.. “I’m struggling for sure, but also at the same time I feel like if I don’t show up, then I’m just giving these opportunities away and not enjoying what we’ve worked on and something super exciting that’s coming. I just feel like it was the right thing to do… show up even though it’s hard,” Paul said.. Paul Shared That ‘The Bachelorette’ Experience Was ‘Best Thing’ She Could Have Done. LISA OConnor/AFF-USA.com / MEGA. The reality star also told PEOPLE that the decision to accept the offer to be “The Bachelorette” was an easy one, as heading to Los Angeles to film for months allowed her to get “out of my toxicity of a life in Utah and bubble.”. “It was like the best thing I could have done,” Paul added, noting that the show’s contestants were “different” than the men back in her Utah hometown.. “There was a lot of reassurance in who I am, you know, from all these men being just kind and gentle and gentlemen,” she said of the men. “It kind of brought out my true side of who I am and honestly belief in me, value, worth… they made me feel reassured in that and reminded me of that. It was a journey of also that too.”. ‘Bachelorette’ Cast Says Taylor Frankie Paul Was ‘Softer’ And ‘Pleasant To Be Around’ While Filming. View this post on Instagram. Several members of the season 22 cast of “The Bachelorette” recently spoke with TMZ and sang Taylor Frankie Paul’s praises, notably pointing out how different she was on the show in stark contrast to what “Mormon Wives” fans see and the current domestic violence allegations against her.. The contestants told the outlet that while filming Paul was “kind, genuine, and well-intentioned,” and displayed “a softer, more authentic side.” They also added that overall she was “consisten
