The Utah MomTok Scandal: 5 Shocking Secrets Behind The Taylor Swinging Controversy Explained

The "Taylor Swinging Scandal" is a complex, modern-day drama that exploded across social media in 2022, centering on popular Utah-based TikTok influencer Taylor Frankie Paul and her divorce announcement that revealed a "soft swinging" arrangement within her circle of Mormon friends. This controversy, which was quickly dubbed the "MomTok sex scandal," shocked millions of followers and brought the practice of non-monogamy and the pressures of Mormon purity culture into the mainstream spotlight. As of December 10, 2025, the story continues to evolve, with the core participants moving on, remarrying, and even featuring in a reality TV series that documents the dramatic fallout. This article provides a deep dive into the true story behind the viral sensation, detailing the biography of the central figure, the specific rules of the soft-swinging lifestyle, the messy consequences, and the current status of everyone involved. It is crucial to note that while the name "Taylor" is associated with a different celebrity, the definitive "swinging scandal" refers to Taylor Frankie Paul and the MomTok group.

Taylor Frankie Paul: Biography and Key Scandal Participants

The central figure in the controversy is Taylor Frankie Paul, a social media personality who gained significant fame on TikTok, primarily as a member of the "MomTok" group, a collective of Utah-based Mormon mother influencers. Her relatable content about motherhood and marriage initially endeared her to millions.

Taylor Frankie Paul's Profile:

• Full Name: Taylor Frankie Paul
• Occupation: TikTok Influencer, Reality TV Personality
• Rise to Fame: Viral MomTok content, followed by the soft-swinging scandal.
• Marital Status (Pre-Scandal): Married to Tate Paul (m. 2016).
• Children: Two children with Tate Paul.
• Reality TV: Star of the Hulu series, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.

The scandal itself involved several key figures from her close-knit social circle, collectively known as MomTok or the Mormon MomTok group. These entities are essential to understanding the full scope of the drama:

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• Tate Paul: Taylor’s now ex-husband, who was a participant in the initial soft-swinging arrangement.
• Miranda McWhorter: A fellow MomTok influencer and friend whose marital status was impacted by the situation.
• Makenna Gibbons: Another woman from the friend group who later came forward to share her perspective on the events.
• Other MomTok Members: The group also included other influencers like Whitney, Mayci, and Mikayla, whose relationships were also affected by the arrangement.

The Rules of "Soft Swinging" and the MomTok Arrangement

The core of the scandal lies in the concept of soft swinging, a form of non-monogamy that became a point of intense curiosity and discussion, especially within the context of the conservative Mormon purity culture the group was raised in. Taylor Paul publicly defined the arrangement during a viral TikTok Live in June 2022, which served as her divorce announcement.

What is Soft Swinging?

Soft swinging, or soft swapping, is a relationship dynamic where couples engage in sexual activity with other people while remaining in the same room, but stop short of full penetrative sex with anyone other than their primary partner. The general rules often include:

• No Full Intercourse: Penetration with anyone outside of the marriage is strictly forbidden.
• Emotional Cheating Boundary: The focus is on physical exploration, with a strong rule against developing deep emotional connections with other partners.
• Couples-Only: The activity is typically restricted to a group of established couples.

Taylor Paul explained that the arrangement within her friend group was a collective agreement between several couples. The goal was to explore their sexuality while maintaining the boundaries of their marriages, a compromise that was likely influenced by their conservative religious background.

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The Rule That Was Broken

The arrangement inevitably broke down when one of the core rules was violated. According to Taylor, the issue that triggered the collapse of the group and her marriage was a breach of the "no emotional attachment" rule. Emotional cheating and the development of feelings between partners—a phenomenon often cited as a major risk in open relationship dynamics—led to a shift toward what is sometimes called hard swapping (full intercourse), shattering the agreed-upon boundaries and resulting in the immediate end of the arrangement and her marriage to Tate Paul.

The Fallout, Public Backlash, and Current Status of the Participants

The revelation of the "soft swinging" lifestyle and the subsequent divorce announcement sent shockwaves through the MomTok community and beyond. The public reaction was immediate and intense, with many viewing the situation through the lens of betrayal and the conflict between their public image as devout Mormon mothers and their private life.

The Viral Aftermath and Blame

The fallout was messy and public. Taylor became the primary focus of the backlash, with some members of the friend group blaming her for revealing the sensitive situation via a viral TikTok Live. The drama was amplified by the unique context of Utah influencers and the rigid expectations of Mormon doctrine, where such activities are strictly forbidden. The incident sparked a massive online conversation about non-monogamy, the hypocrisy of social media perfection, and the difficulty of maintaining a secret life.

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Taylor’s life remained tumultuous after the divorce. She entered a high-profile, on-again, off-again relationship with Dakota Mortensen, which also garnered significant media attention and further legal issues.

Current Status (Latest Updates)

The lives of the main participants have moved forward significantly since the 2022 scandal, providing a clear picture of the long-term consequences:

• Taylor Frankie Paul: She parlayed her notoriety into a reality television career, becoming the central figure in the Hulu series *The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives*, where the scandal and its repercussions are explored in detail.
• Tate Paul: Taylor’s ex-husband has completely moved on. He is now remarried to his new wife, Bailey Paul, and the couple welcomed a new child in late 2023, marking a definitive new chapter in his life away from the initial MomTok drama.
• The MomTok Group: The original friend group largely fractured following the public exposure. While some members, like Miranda McWhorter, have tried to maintain a low profile, the collective image of Mormon MomTok was forever changed by the revelations.

Ultimately, the Taylor swinging scandal is a cautionary tale about the intersection of social media fame, religious constraints, and the complexities of open relationships. It exposed the private struggles behind the curated perfection of influencer culture and forced a public conversation about alternative relationship dynamics within traditionally conservative communities.