LOS ANGELES – ABC has decided to cancel the upcoming season of “The Bachelorette,” which was set to star Taylor Frankie Paul. This decision comes after a distressing video from 2023 surfaced, showing her in a violent altercation with her former partner while her young daughter watched.
The cancellation, announced just days before the show’s premiere on Sunday, marks an unprecedented move for the long-running reality series. “In light of the newly released video that surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of ‘The Bachelorette’ at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,” a statement from Disney Entertainment Television read.
In response, Paul expressed through a representative that she has endured physical and mental abuse for years, a situation she had kept silent about until now.
The video, released by TMZ, depicts Paul and her then-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen. In it, Mortensen can be seen trying to defend himself as Paul punches and kicks him, even throwing chairs while shouting accusations. Disturbingly, their daughter is heard crying out for her mother during the chaos.
Paul, who was arrested in 2023 and charged with aggravated assault and domestic violence in front of a child, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge, with other charges being dismissed.
A spokesperson for Paul stated that she is “very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security.” The statement revealed that Paul has been silent due to fears of further abuse and public shaming but is now ready to share her story.
Authorities in Draper City, Utah, confirmed that there is an ongoing domestic violence investigation involving Paul and Mortensen, noting that allegations have been made in both directions.
ABC’s abrupt cancellation has raised questions about the future of the show and the time slot previously held by “The Bachelorette.” Paul, who had been promoting the show just days prior, was an unconventional choice for the lead role, as she had not previously appeared in the “Bachelor” franchise.
Her selection was seen as a strategic move to attract a new audience, particularly given her popularity on TikTok, where she has 6.1 million followers. Paul first gained attention as an influencer in the #MomTok community, where she shared her experiences as a mother from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Experts believe that Disney’s decision to cast Paul was an attempt to innovate in a saturated reality TV market, hoping to tap into her follower base from “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” a Hulu reality show in which she also stars. However, this experiment has now taken a troubling turn.
As of now, production on both “The Bachelorette” and “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” has paused amid ongoing investigations. Paul’s co-star Mikayla Matthews confirmed on social media that the decision to halt filming was collectively made due to the circumstances surrounding Paul.
The future of the reality television landscape remains uncertain, as viewers and industry professionals alike reflect on the implications of this incident and what it means for similar shows moving forward.
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Rancilio reported from Detroit.
