ABC cancels Bachelorette season after Taylor Frankie Paul video surfaces
ABC has pulled its upcoming season of The Bachelorette after newly surfaced video shows the show’s star, Taylor Frankie Paul, involved in a domestic violence dispute.
(NBC)- The video, obtained by TMZ, appears to show Paul — known for The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives — throwing barstools at her then-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, during a 2023 incident. The altercation reportedly occurred in front of her young daughter, who can be heard crying.
In a statement, ABC’s parent company, Disney, said it has decided not to move forward with the new season at this time.
“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,” the statement read.
A representative for Paul responded, saying she is grateful for the network’s support and is working to move forward.
“Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm,” the statement said in part.
The video surfaced just days before what would have been the show’s 22nd season premiere, intensifying scrutiny around the casting decision.
The controversy also comes amid renewed attention to Paul’s legal history. Earlier this week, Utah police confirmed there is an ongoing domestic assault investigation involving Paul and Mortensen stemming from an incident last month.
Paul previously addressed the 2023 incident publicly, stating that several charges against her were dropped and denying that her child was harmed.
Court records show a judge dismissed multiple charges, including domestic violence in the presence of a child and child abuse. However, records also indicate Paul accepted a plea deal related to an aggravated assault charge.
Her representative criticized the release of the video, saying it lacks full context and that Paul plans to share her full story.
The network has not announced whether the season will be rescheduled or recast.
