🔥 “I’ve Had Better Days…” — Taylor Frankie Paul Drops Emotional Hint on Live with Kelly and Mark as Kelly Ripa Probes Her ‘Bachelorette’ Future

Taylor Frankie Paul got the chance to open up this morning as she tackles being the subject of a vicious news cycle.

In the midst of making headlines for domestic violence allegations, the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star and Bachelorette Season 22 lead joined Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos on Wednesday’s Live with Kelly and Mark, where Ripa made sure to check in with her.

“Welcome to the show. How are you doing? There’s a lot going on with you,” Ripa said.

Paul replied, “Yeah, I’ve had better days, I will say.”

TMZ reported earlier this week that production on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Season 5 was put on pause due to a fight that became physical between Paul and her ex-boyfriend and baby daddy, Dakota Mortensen. A spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department informed People that there is an open “domestic assault investigation,” “allegations have been made in both directions,” and “contact was made with involved parties on [Feb.] 24th and 25th.”

The conversation on Live swiftly transitioned to be about Paul’s attendance at the Oscars. Ripa told Paul that she “looked gorgeous,” and the reality TV star continued to open up about the struggles she’s faced amid the news in recent days.

“Thank you. It took everything that day to get out of bed and make it there too,” she revealed. “But that was a once in a lifetime opportunity. And I was told that I was one of the first from reality TV to be invited. So I was like, I gotta go.”

As for whether Paul was starstruck by any of the celebrities present for Hollywood’s biggest night, Paul said “there were a few that [she] didn’t know their names, per se.”

“But honestly that day was so heavy in itself, and so I showed up and it was a dream, but at the same time I feel like there’s a lot going on,” she added. “So it’s been just hard, I will say.”

Ripa pointed out that Paul is “the first Bachelorette to never have appeared on The Bachelor in a previous season.”

“What did you think when they approached you? Did you anticipate this kind of whirlwind amount of attention? Did it give you pause?” she asked.

Paul explained, “I don’t think I even really realized the amount of attention it was going to give, to be honest. But I had posted about it recently just saying when I was given this opportunity, I thought it was a joke. I was like, ‘Um, are you guys messing with me a little bit?’ But you know, the person that presented the offer was just like, ‘I hope you feel deserving just like we see you.’ And it meant a lot.”

Paul’s appearance on Live took place shortly after she visited Good Morning America, where she admitted that it is “hard to say” if she will return to The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives “because of everything going on.”

“It’s hard to see past this, I’m not going to lie,” she shared. “In this moment, it’s just so heavy. When your life is broadcast out there in these headlines, it’s like the end of the world. That’s what it feels like, I’m not going to lie. But I’ve been here before and I got through it. I shared my story and my life so I’m hoping that I can do that again.”

Live with Kelly and Mark airs on weekdays. Check out their website for your local listings. The Bachelorette Season 22 premieres on Sunday, March 22 on ABC with next-day streaming on Hulu.