‘Mormon Wives’ star Taylor Frankie Paul speaks out on domestic violence allegation

‘Mormon Wives’ star Taylor Frankie Paul speaks out on domestic violence allegation
‘Mormon Wives’ star Taylor Frankie Paul speaks out on domestic violence allegation
‘The Bachelorette’ star Taylor Frankie Paul speaks with ABC News’ Lara Spencer in an interview on ‘Good Morning America’ on March 18, 2026. (ABC News)

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Taylor Frankie Paul says she is going through a “heavy time” as she faces a domestic violence allegation while promoting her new season of The Bachelorette.

“It’s been a heavy time to see the headlines, especially during this time of The Bachelorette being released,'” Paul said in a live interview Wednesday on Good Morning America. “It’s supposed to be a really exciting time.”

She continued, “I’m a person that will always speak my truth. That’s what I’m known for. So when the time is right, I will be.”

Paul is reportedly facing a domestic violence allegation involving ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.

Paul, a mother of three, shares one child with Mortensen.

According to People, a spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department in Utah said earlier this week that there is an “open domestic assault investigation” involving Paul and Mortensen, and that “allegations have been made in both directions.”

Police told People that “contact was made with involved parties” back on Feb. 24 and 25.

ABC News has reached out to Mortensen for comment.

When asked for details on the investigation, the Draper Police Department shared a statement with ABC News, saying, “The Draper Police Department respects the rights and privacy of all citizens. Without an immediate impact to public safety, it is the practice of the department not to release details related to active investigations.”

Paul confirmed to Good Morning America that production on season 5 of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has been halted for the time being, saying, “As of now I have gotten word that it also has been paused.”

She added, “As far as I know it was, but I don’t know for how long.”

The reality star said it was “hard to say” what her future on the show might look like.

“It’s hard to see past this, I’m not going to lie. In this moment, it’s just so heavy,” she said.

She continued, “When your life is broadcasted out there in these headlines, it’s like the end of the world. That’s what it feels like.”

Despite the circumstances, Paul shared a glimmer of optimism, saying, “I’ve been here before and I got through it.”

Paul was announced as the next Bachelorette for season 22 of the reality TV show back in September.

The reality star spoke with GMA on Wednesday about her decision to join the show, offering perspective on her position as a mother of three and sharing that seeing other women on Secret Wives of Mormon Wives pursue their dreams inspired her to take a shot at the dating game.

“For me, dating as a mom of three is extremely difficult,” she said, adding that The Bachelorette offered a chance “to go out, get away from my toxic cycle here in Utah, go date and then also have my kids come out and visit me.”

“You don’t realize how … it can be exhausting too, but you’re finding the love of your life, that’s what you’re striving for,” she said.

The Walt Disney Co. is the parent company of ABC, Hulu and ABC News.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

‘Mormon Wives’ star Taylor Frankie Paul speaks out on domestic violence allegation

‘Mormon Wives’ star Taylor Frankie Paul speaks out on domestic violence allegation
‘Mormon Wives’ star Taylor Frankie Paul speaks out on domestic violence allegation
‘The Bachelorette’ star Taylor Frankie Paul speaks with ABC News’ Lara Spencer in an interview on ‘Good Morning America’ on March 18, 2026. (ABC News)

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Taylor Frankie Paul says she is going through a “heavy time” as she faces a domestic violence allegation while promoting her new season of The Bachelorette.

“It’s been a heavy time to see the headlines, especially during this time of The Bachelorette being released,'” Paul said in a live interview Wednesday on Good Morning America. “It’s supposed to be a really exciting time.”

She continued, “I’m a person that will always speak my truth. That’s what I’m known for. So when the time is right, I will be.”

Paul is reportedly facing a domestic violence allegation involving ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.

Paul, a mother of three, shares one child with Mortensen.

According to People, a spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department in Utah said earlier this week that there is an “open domestic assault investigation” involving Paul and Mortensen, and that “allegations have been made in both directions.”

Police told People that “contact was made with involved parties” back on Feb. 24 and 25.

ABC News has reached out to Mortensen for comment.

When asked for details on the investigation, the Draper Police Department shared a statement with ABC News, saying, “The Draper Police Department respects the rights and privacy of all citizens. Without an immediate impact to public safety, it is the practice of the department not to release details related to active investigations.”

Paul confirmed to Good Morning America that production on season 5 of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has been halted for the time being, saying, “As of now I have gotten word that it also has been paused.”

She added, “As far as I know it was, but I don’t know for how long.”

The reality star said it was “hard to say” what her future on the show might look like.

“It’s hard to see past this, I’m not going to lie. In this moment, it’s just so heavy,” she said.

She continued, “When your life is broadcasted out there in these headlines, it’s like the end of the world. That’s what it feels like.”

Despite the circumstances, Paul shared a glimmer of optimism, saying, “I’ve been here before and I got through it.”

Paul was announced as the next Bachelorette for season 22 of the reality TV show back in September.

The reality star spoke with GMA on Wednesday about her decision to join the show, offering perspective on her position as a mother of three and sharing that seeing other women on Secret Wives of Mormon Wives pursue their dreams inspired her to take a shot at the dating game.

“For me, dating as a mom of three is extremely difficult,” she said, adding that The Bachelorette offered a chance “to go out, get away from my toxic cycle here in Utah, go date and then also have my kids come out and visit me.”

“You don’t realize how … it can be exhausting too, but you’re finding the love of your life, that’s what you’re striving for,” she said.

The Walt Disney Co. is the parent company of ABC, Hulu and ABC News.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

BTS books two-night stint on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’

BTS books two-night stint on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’
BTS books two-night stint on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’
BTS (Courtesy of HYBE)

BTS is taking their comeback to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

The reunited K-pop superstars will appear on the late-night talk show on March 25, during which they’ll sit for an interview and perform one song from their new album, ARIRANG. On March 26, they’ll return for a second song.

The group’s last performance on The Tonight Show came in 2021, when they performed “Butter” and “Permission to Dance.” Since then, Jimin, SUGA, Jung Kook, Jin and j-hope have appeared individually on the show; this will mark their first appearance together in five years.

ARIRANG drops March 20. The following day, they’ll perform live on Netflix during BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG, and on March 27, a documentary about the making of the album and the group’s reunion, BTS: THE RETURN, will premiere on the streamer.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

‘Family torn apart’: Kouri Richins juror describes emotional murder deliberations ahead of guilty verdict

‘Family torn apart’: Kouri Richins juror describes emotional murder deliberations ahead of guilty verdict
‘Family torn apart’: Kouri Richins juror describes emotional murder deliberations ahead of guilty verdict
Kouri Richins who is accused of poisoning her husband with a lethal dose of fentanyl appears in court with her lawyers for a detention hearing, June 12, 2023. (ABC News)

(SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah) — When Laura, the foreperson in Kouri Richins’ murder trial, first saw the mother accused of murdering her husband, she didn’t think much of her.

“She was kind of nondescript,” she told ABC News’ “Good Morning America” in an exclusive interview. “She didn’t really show that much emotion. I was trying to get some vibe from her and it was very hard to pick up any kind of vibe.”

The foreperson was one of eight jurors in Summit County, Utah, who convicted Richins this week of murdering her husband, Eric, with a fatal dose of fentanyl in March 2022. 

Richins, 35, who after her husband’s death self-published a children’s book on grieving, was found guilty on all five counts, including aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder.

“There was never a not guilty check with anything, with any element, nothing,” the foreperson, Laura, who was juror No. 2, told ABC News of the 3-hour jury deliberations on Monday. 

“Even though it was just three hours, I felt like we came into that deliberation fully loaded,” she said, adding, “To evaluate the case and to look at the evidence we had to zoom in on these little bits of evidence and kind of ignore all the fluff and ignore the drama.”

Richins in 2023 self-published her children’s book, which she said was intended to help her sons with their loss. 

A month prior to her arrest in May 2023, the mom of three young sons appeared on a “Good Things Utah” segment on Salt Lake City ABC affiliate KTVX to promote the book. In the segment, Kouri Richins said her husband of nine years died “unexpectedly” and that his death “completely took us all by shock.

The jurors were shocked when they were told about the book in the final days of testimony at the trial, Laura told ABC News. 

“Everyone just felt like they’re hit with a truck,” she said. “We’re like, what? What the hell is this? It was so odd and so strange.”

Richins did not testify during the three-week trial and the defense called no witnesses. 

The prosecution alleged she was having an affair, was deep in debt and was desperate to inherit her husband’s estate and life insurance.

The jury found her guilty of aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder, along with three other counts. Two were for insurance fraud connected to life-insurance policies and a third was for forgery, for forging her husband’s signature on documents. 

Sentencing is scheduled for May 13 and Richins could receive 25 years to life. 

“People were really sad, because they did not want to find her guilty,” Laura told ABC News of her fellow jurors. “They were really hoping that she was innocent. And we couldn’t come to that conclusion, and it was really heartbreaking.”

She added, “This devastating reality that this family was torn apart and these poor kids will really basically never have a dad or mom.”

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Woman arrested for 2011 cold case murder of Iowa real estate agent

Woman arrested for 2011 cold case murder of Iowa real estate agent
Woman arrested for 2011 cold case murder of Iowa real estate agent
Kristin Ramsey, 53, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Ashley Okland. (West Des Moines Police)

(WEST DES MOINES, Iowa) — A woman has been arrested in the 2011 cold case murder of an Iowa real estate agent, authorities said.

Kristin Ramsey, 53, was arrested on Tuesday for first-degree murder in the death of Ashley Okland, the West Des Moines Police said.

Police and prosecutors did not elaborate on what led to Ramsey’s arrest, but Dallas County Attorney Matt Schultz said at a Wednesday news conference, “After hearing the evidence, a Dallas County grand jury issued a true bill indicting Kristin Ramsey with the murder of Ashley Okland.”

Okland was shot and killed while working at a model townhouse on April 8, 2011, according to the Iowa Attorney General’s Office Cold Case Unit.

Okland’s death sent “shockwaves” throughout the state and “haunted” the real estate community, West Des Moines Police Assistant Chief Jody Hayes said at the news conference.

“That Friday afternoon when Ashley was taken from us seems so long ago. We had lost our hope in finding answers and having any justice,” Okland’s sister, Brittany Bruce, told reporters.

She thanked the detectives and prosecutors for their relentless work on the case.

“We have full confidence in their abilities to see this through,” she said.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Orleans announces final year of touring

Orleans announces final year of touring
Orleans announces final year of touring
Wells Kelly, John Hall, Lance Hoppen and Larry Hoppen of the pop-rock band “Orleans” pose for a portrait in circa 1975. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Orleans, the band known for such hits as “Still The One” and “Dance With Me,” has announced that their touring days are coming to an end.

Original member Lance Hoppen shared the news in a post on Facebook, noting he had an “important announcement for all Orleans fans.”

“Last Saturday we played our first show of 2026, which is the beginning of year 54 for Orleans as a live band. That’s a good long run by any standard,” he wrote. “For a variety of reasons, I’ve decided that this will be the final year for Orleans as a live band. It’s not a decision that has been made quickly nor lightly. It’s been a long time coming and I have to admit that I am conflicted about it.”

Hoppen noted that while he’ll miss the shows and the fans, travel has become difficult, especially at his age. “It’s time to turn the page,” he said.

Fans, however, still have a chance to see them live, with Lance noting they have over 40 shows booked for 2026.

“We will finish up on the Rock ‘n’ Romance cruise next March 13-20 … so there is literally one year left if you want to catch Orleans live before it’s too late,” he wrote.

He then thanked the musicians that have been in the band as well as the fans.

“Without YOU, none of this would have been possible. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart,” he concluded. “I hope to see you down the road somewhere!”

A complete list of dates can be found at Orleansonline.net.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

In Flames finishes recording 15th album

In Flames finishes recording 15th album
In Flames finishes recording 15th album
Anders Friden of In Flames performs live at the 2025 Tuska Festival in Suvilahti on June 27, 2025 in Helsinki, Finland. (Venla Shalin/Redferns)

The new In Flames album is officially in the can.

The Swedish metallers have finished recording their upcoming 15th studio effort, according to an Instagram post from frontman Anders Fridén.

“Laughs, frustrations, genius ideas, fabulous decisions, friendships, amazing drums, bass and guitar with a little vocals sprinkled on top… it’s done,” the post reads. “In flames 15, here we come.”

The most recent In Flames album is 2023’s Foregone. They also teamed up with Machine Head and Lacuna Coil for the 2024 song “These Scars Won’t Define Us” ahead of a tour together.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Hayley Williams among nominees for 2026 Libera Awards

Hayley Williams among nominees for 2026 Libera Awards
Hayley Williams among nominees for 2026 Libera Awards
‘Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party’ album artwork. (Post Atlantic)

Hayley Williams is among the nominees for the 2026 Libera Awards, which celebrate the best in independent music.

The Paramore frontwoman’s 2025 solo album, Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party, will compete in categories including record of the year and best rock record.

Other nominees include Geese’s Getting Killed for record of the year and best alternative rock record, Fontaines D.C.’s “It’s Amazing to Be Young” for best rock record, Coheed and Cambria’s The Father of Make Believe for best heavy record, David Byrne’s Who Is the Sky? for best pop record and Tom Morello’s Beartooth collaboration, “Everything Burns,” for best record from games and interactive media.

The 2026 Libera Awards will take place June 8 in New York City.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Report: Madonna to guest-star in ‘The Studio’

Report: Madonna to guest-star in ‘The Studio’
Report: Madonna to guest-star in ‘The Studio’
Madonna, accompanied by bodyguards who shield her with umbrellas, on her way to the Hotel Gritti on March 16, 2026 in Venice, Italy. The cast of the second season of the Apple TV series ‘The Studio’ is filming at the Hotel Gritti. (Stefano Mazzola/Getty Images)

Madonna shared a photo on her Instagram Story Tuesday of her studying a script while riding in a water taxi in Venice, the city where she filmed the iconic “Like a Virgin” video. That photo, Entertainment Weekly reports, documents the fact that the Queen of Pop is taking on her first acting role in more than 20 years.

According to EW, Madonna will make a guest appearance in Apple TV’s Emmy-winning comedy The Studio, which is currently shooting its second season in Europe. Madonna captioned the photo, “The Italian Job” and placed a heart over the script, so we can’t see what it is. Madonna was also separately photographed on set.

The Studio stars Seth Rogen as the bumbling head of a movie studio and is famous for landing A-list guest stars like Martin Scorsese, Charlize Theron, Ron Hon Howard, Zac Efron, Jean Smart, Zoë Kravitz and even Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos.

EW notes that Madonna’s last major acting role was in 2002, when she starred in Swept Away, a film directed by ex-husband Guy Ritchie. That same year, she had a small part in the James Bond film Die Another Day. She also had a cameo in a 2003 episode of Will & Grace.

ABC Audio has reached out to Madonna’s reps for comment.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Report: Madonna to guest-star in ‘The Studio’

Report: Madonna to guest-star in ‘The Studio’
Report: Madonna to guest-star in ‘The Studio’
Madonna, accompanied by bodyguards who shield her with umbrellas, on her way to the Hotel Gritti on March 16, 2026 in Venice, Italy. The cast of the second season of the Apple TV series ‘The Studio’ is filming at the Hotel Gritti. (Stefano Mazzola/Getty Images)

Madonna shared a photo on her Instagram Story Tuesday of her studying a script while riding in a water taxi in Venice, the city where she filmed the iconic “Like a Virgin” video. That photo, Entertainment Weekly reports, documents the fact that the Queen of Pop is taking on her first acting role in more than 20 years.

According to EW, Madonna will make a guest appearance in Apple TV’s Emmy-winning comedy The Studio, which is currently shooting its second season in Europe. Madonna captioned the photo, “The Italian Job” and placed a heart over the script, so we can’t see what it is. Madonna was also separately photographed on set.

The Studio stars Seth Rogen as the bumbling head of a movie studio and is famous for landing A-list guest stars like Martin Scorsese, Charlize Theron, Ron Hon Howard, Zac Efron, Jean Smart, Zoë Kravitz and even Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos.

EW notes that Madonna’s last major acting role was in 2002, when she starred in Swept Away, a film directed by ex-husband Guy Ritchie. That same year, she had a small part in the James Bond film Die Another Day. She also had a cameo in a 2003 episode of Will & Grace.

ABC Audio has reached out to Madonna’s reps for comment.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.