NEW YORK — Taylor Frankie Paul has broken her silence after it was revealed she is being investigated for domestic assault over alleged incidents involving ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.

“Honestly, just like, my heart hurts to see it, to go through it, especially at this time,” 31-year-old Paul told People. “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.”

She made the comments during a press event for “The Bachelorette” in New York City on Tuesday night. Paul stars in the ABC reality show’s 22nd season, which is slated to begin airing on March 22.

“It’s just heavy. It’s a heavy time, and it’s unfortunate,” Paul continued.

“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,” she said, referencing her turn as the Bachelorette. “I just feel like it was the right thing to do… show up even though it’s hard.”

Taylor has been accused by Mortensen of physically attacking him, and he has repeatedly reported her to Utah’s Department of Children and Family Services for alleged abuse of their 2-year-old son, Ever. As a result, filming for “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” Season 5 was paused, though the break should not impact the release timeline for the new season.

Paul has starred on “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” since its debut in 2024. She has denied the accusations, including that she assaulted Mortensen in his car over a year ago, and that she choked him in a separate altercation within the past month. Paul has alternatively claimed that Mortensen got physical with her in recent weeks.

Both parties have been ordered to take part in a psychiatric evaluation.

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