Dakota Mortensen is sharing an update after his social media hiatus.
“Hey what’s up guys. First things first, I just wanted to say hello. Second things second … I actually deleted all of my social media apps for over a month and what an incredible experience,” Mortensen, 33, said in a Tuesday, August 11, Instagram Story. “It was like detoxing. I’ve been to rehab so it felt like detoxing from drugs, honestly. It was really good for me. I think I needed that.”
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star continued, “Even if I haven’t been posting anything anyways really, but just scrolling even, seeing things … I don’t know, not super helpful for me and not super helpful for my situation. I think it was really distracting me from being a dad, being a better person. So anyways I feel like I am in a better place right now. Not that literally any of you care. But I wanted to share it anyways.”
Mortensen added in text over the video, “Update or whatever.” In a separate video, Mortensen shared that he would be speaking “about things” sometime in the future.
“I don’t feel like this is the time to do that. I think I have a lot more important things to focus on. And that is where my energy is. I will continue to make sure I focus on the things that matter the most right now. That being said, with social media, I don’t know what this is going to be like.”
He continued, “I’m going to do it just for fun just like I always have and I feel like if it’s mentally not good for me, then I will take a break. I’ll be gone. I will be so far gone, you’ll never see me again. For the people who that’s a dream come true, you’re welcome. God Bless.”
Mortensen’s update comes after he and Shinia Powell went Instagram official with PDA photos from a camping trip earlier this month while he navigates a custody battle with ex Taylor Frankie Paul.
In 2023, Mortensen was previously involved in a domestic violence case with Paul, 32, who ultimately took a plea deal. Three years later, Paul was involved in a separate altercation with Mortensen that was investigated by Utah’s Draper City Police Department. Both Mortensen and Paul denied each other’s allegations before the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office declined to file criminal charges against Paul.
While Paul temporarily lost custody of the pair’s 2-year-old son, Ever, she has since been awarded visitation rights from a judge. (Taylor also shares daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 6, with ex-husband Tate Paul.)
The judge also issued mutual protective orders to Mortensen and Taylor.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
