Former Bachelorette, DeAnna Pappas Defends Taylor Frankie Paul Amid Her Domestic Abuse Controversy

Taylor Frankie Paul is one of the most well-known faces in television. Best known for her stint on the reality TV show, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Taylor is currently hogging the limelight for all the wrong reasons. For the unversed, Taylor is in the midst of a domestic violence investigation involving her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen. If reports are believed to be true, the dispute between the duo occurred at Dakota's home, and as you can already guess, it went too far for comfort. Now, amid this, Taylor's fellow TV personality and former Bachelorette star, DeAnna Pappas, is speaking out about understanding the former's situation.  

DeAnna Pappas reflects on the Taylor Frankie Paul situation in an episode of the Almost Famous podcast 

It was on the most recent episode of the Almost Famous podcast, which was released on March 18, 2026, that DeAnna Pappas opened up about understanding Taylor Frankie Paul's situation. For those unaware, the news that Taylor Frankie Paul is involved in an active domestic violence investigation came just a few days ahead of The Bachelorette Season 22 premiere, which is supposed to premiere on Sunday, March 22, 2026. As DeAnna herself has led season 4 of the ABC dating series, she could emphasise more deeply with the situation Taylor is going through at present. She said: 

“So much has transpired over the last few days in our headlines for our girl Taylor Frankie Paul. I'm so sad for this girl and her child, and him too. There's the connection because of The Bachelorette, but it's just sad. It's just really sad.”  

On the podcast, DeAnna continued by saying that what Taylor is going through at present is “really, really hard.” According to her, it does not feel good the way they're realising things and making Taylor, who is all set to lead a show, “live through it over and over and over again.” Another point where she especially empathises with Taylor is that Taylor is coming on The Bachelorette to find love and be chosen, something which DeAnna has searched for her whole life. This is why she said, “It doesn't feel good to me, what is happening. It doesn't feel good the way things are being released.”   

DeAnna went on to reflect on Taylor's recent appearance at an event in New York City on March 17, 2026, to promote The Bachelorette. According to DeAnna, Taylor sounded so “broken” during that event that it almost made her cry. She thought that must have taken all that she had to get there that night, and asked the podcast listeners if they could imagine it. She said that she can because she has “been there and that's so hard.”   

When DeAnna Pappas was arrested on suspicion of domestic abuse 

If you are wondering why DeAnna said that she has been in the same position as Taylor Frankie Paul, it is because she had been arrested on suspicion of domestic abuse in 2025. The incident reportedly happened with her ex-husband, Stephen Stagliano, whom she married in 2011 and shares two kids, Addison, 12, and Austin, 10, with. After splitting in January 2023, their divorce was finalised a year later, in June 2024. Later, in February 2025, DeAnna got arrested on suspicion of domestic violence after her former mother-in-law filed a declaration in the duo's divorce that DeAnna went to pick up her son after drinking alcohol.  

DeAnna did not take the claims lying down and ended up requesting a restraining order against her ex-husband, claiming that he had tried to follow her into her garage and had tried to push her garage door open when she made an effort to close it. Later, Stephan dialled for the cops, but matters had already escalated beyond control, when Stephan allegedly “took his hands, grabbing me, and then forcefully shoved me.” However, the story that Stephan told police officers was that DeAnna was drunk in addition to pressing charges against her for domestic violence.  

What are your thoughts on former Bachelorette star, DeAnna Pappas, defending Taylor Frankie Paul? Let us know.  

Also read: Zendaya Reveals What Makes A Wedding Unforgettable Amid Her Marriage Buzz With Tom Holland

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