Vanderpump Villa: Ex-Boyfriend Edited Out

When a reality show is in production, producers often have to make tough decisions about what makes the final cut. For the upcoming season of ‘Vanderpump Villa,’ one significant decision involved editing out a cast member’s ex-boyfriend due to ongoing legal issues.

Dakota Mortensen’s Exit from Season 3

Dakota Mortensen, 33, will not be appearing in the third season of the Hulu series ‘Vanderpump Villa.’ Executive producer and star Lisa Vanderpump confirmed that Mortensen has been removed from the upcoming season. This decision comes as Mortensen is involved in a domestic violence investigation with his ex-girlfriend, Taylor Frankie Paul.

The series is set to premiere on April 16th, but Vanderpump assured fans that Mortensen’s removal hasn’t impacted the overall narrative. “He didn’t really have a big storyline,” Vanderpump told PEOPLE. “It hasn’t affected the story.”

Navigating Controversy

Vanderpump explained that Mortensen’s initial role was part of a minor plotline involving another cast member. However, producers decided to scale it back significantly once the controversy surrounding the investigation surfaced. “We don’t want to shine a spotlight on something that’s been so controversial when we have so much great content,” she stated.

Mortensen initially gained public attention through his relationship with Taylor Frankie Paul, who is known for her role on ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.’ The former couple shares a two-year-old son. Last month, Utah police confirmed that both Mortensen and Paul are subjects in an open domestic assault investigation, with allegations reportedly made in both directions.

A Season Full of Entertainment

Despite the necessary edits, Vanderpump, who first rose to fame on ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ before creating ‘Vanderpump Rules,’ emphasized that the new season of ‘Vanderpump Villa’ is still packed with engaging content. She described it as being full of “humor” and “great entertainment.”