Demi Engemann Addresses Rumors of an Affair with Dakota Mortensen

Demi Engemann, a star of *The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives*, has addressed rumors surrounding her alleged involvement in staging an affair with Dakota Mortensen, the ex-partner of Taylor Frankie Paul. In an Instagram comment on November 27, Engemann described the situation as “awkward,” attributing the rumors to the show’s production team seeking dramatic plot lines.

“Production sat us down after filming season 1 asking us for ideas for a ‘big cliffhanger’ because the show was ‘boring,'” Engemann, 30, stated. “We all threw out a bunch of ideas, and one of mine was suggesting that Dakota could meet up with me to get advice about him and Taylor, which could be filmed to imply something was occurring between us.”

Engemann clarified that while a scene involving her and Mortensen was included in season 2, it was ultimately portrayed differently. “At the top of season 2, it’s cleared up that he was just there to get my advice, similar to what he did with Mayci Neeley,” she explained. “It really was not that deep or serious.”

Additionally, Engemann criticized her *Secret Lives of Mormon Wives* co-stars for perpetuating the rumors. “This is a perfect example of the ‘pile on’ tactic these women use when someone is already down in the public eye,” she asserted. “They all gave ideas for a cliffhanger, but the way they relayed this story made it seem as if I just ‘wanted to stage an affair’ for fun—not at all what happened, nor would I ever stage anything on my own, unlike some.”

The speculation about Engemann and Mortensen began during a May episode of “The Viall Files,” where Mikayla Matthews and Jessi Ngatikaura claimed that Engemann had proposed the affair as a storyline. “In the conversation we had in our little MomTok meeting, there was a little blowup between Taylor and Demi,” Matthews, 25, claimed. “Demi was wanting to have a huge finale for season 1 and suggested that we could make up a story about her having an affair with Dakota.”

Mayci, 30, and Layla Taylor also discussed these claims in a separate appearance on “The Viall Files,” expressing their confusion regarding Engemann’s suggestion. “I think we were all very confused about why that would even be something she’d think would be okay,” Taylor, 24, remarked. “It was just very interesting.”

The show’s ongoing narrative has illustrated the tumultuous relationship between Taylor and Dakota. Following claims of cheating against Dakota in season 2, the couple ultimately parted ways.

In related developments, Engemann’s personal relationships have also been scrutinized this season, particularly her controversial comment regarding a private encounter with her husband, Bret Engemann. The exchange, referred to as “fruity pebbles,” has sparked social media discussions following fellow cast member Jessi’s revelations about the private matter.

Engemann responded firmly to the scrutiny, emphasizing, “What my husband and I did one time behind closed doors was a consensual and private experience in our marriage. I won’t let a private act between my husband and me be a distraction from a serious act that I did not consent to.”