Social media personality Taylor Frankie Paul confronted criticism surrounding her custody battles in a lengthy video posted Saturday, July 18, stating she does not claim to be perfect but remains committed to her children.
The 32-year-old addressed her separate legal disputes with Dakota Mortensen and Tate Paul in a makeup tutorial video shared to Instagram. Paul shares daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 6, with ex-husband Tate and son Ever, 2, with Mortensen.
"Last night I studied that 'long suffering' trains us to eventually thrive in it and it's safe to say I'm starting to understand exactly what that means," Paul wrote in the caption accompanying the video.
In the video, Paul acknowledged the complexity of navigating public perception while managing private legal matters. She emphasized that much of the information circulating contains inaccuracies, though she conceded some reports reflect reality.
"If I have learned anything in 2026 [with] false headlines, there's a lot of false information out there and so, therefore, it doesn't affect me because it's not true," she said, according to Us Weekly. "That being said, there are some things that are true as well."
Paul stated she is consulting with her legal team to review court filings and determine whether any information has been misrepresented. She stressed that substantive matters would be addressed in court rather than through social media.
"It will be handled in the courtroom, not here," she said, per Us Weekly.
The social media figure explained her preference for keeping case details sealed to protect her children, while acknowledging the information would eventually become public. Despite the challenges, she indicated progress has been made in securing additional time with her youngest son.
"I feel that we have made the progress that I have been aiming for and that is just more time with my son," Paul told Us Weekly.
Paul expressed frustration that additional case information surfaced on the same day she resumed extended visits with her 2-year-old son Ever. She directly refuted specific allegations, including claims she required her daughter to change diapers.
"Not once have I forced or made my daughter change diapers," she stated, according to Us Weekly. "If she ever wanted to, I let her. She likes to help. … If that is bad on me, so be it."
In closing her video, Paul clarified she was not attempting to change public opinion but rather exercising her right to provide context about her situation. She acknowledged her shortcomings while expressing confidence in her relationship with her children.
"I am actually not here to sway anyone. I am an open book. I will give you the ugly and the pretty. If you know me, I don't claim to be this 'mother of the year.' I have my faults," she said, per Us Weekly. "I also have a right to stick up for myself, give context of my life."
Paul added that she believes her children would choose to live with her if given the option, stating she loves them and they understand that affection.
"I'm at a loss for words about this experience. It's been the most difficult thing I have ever been through," she concluded, according to Us Weekly. "Some people think the best thing is getting offline. My decision is to show this process and how ugly it is. I've made mistakes. I will own that. I can see that."
The custody disputes involve both Mortensen and Tate, with legal proceedings ongoing in multiple cases. Paul has been navigating the court system while maintaining her public presence on social media platforms.
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Ava Hart
Ava Hart is a pop culture junkie and loves to share what's happening in Hollywood and what trends are taking the world by storm.
