ABC Axes Bachelorette Season Following Leaked Assault Footage Involving Star Taylor Frankie Paul
In a dramatic move, ABC has cancelled the upcoming season of its hit dating show The Bachelorette after newly leaked video footage revealed central star Taylor Frankie Paul physically assaulting her former partner. The decision, announced by Disney, comes just days before the season was scheduled to premiere, marking a significant setback for the long-running franchise.
Controversial Casting and Ongoing Legal Issues
Taylor Frankie Paul, a 31-year-old TikTok influencer who rose to fame on the reality series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, had been selected as the lead for the show's 22nd season. Her casting was already mired in controversy due to her 2023 arrest for domestic violence against her ex-partner, Dakota Mortensen. Paul later pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and is currently serving three years of probation.
An active domestic assault investigation is also underway regarding an incident in February this year, according to the Draper City police department in Utah. A police spokesperson told People magazine that allegations have been made in both directions involving Paul and Mortensen.
Leaked Video Forces Network's Hand
The leaked video from 2023, which surfaced on Thursday, shows Paul kicking Mortensen and throwing heavy metal chairs at him while their five-year-old daughter is present. In the footage, Mortensen can be heard exclaiming, "Your daughter just got hit in the head by a metal chair!" as crying is audible from the child. An indictment obtained by People confirmed that the child was struck during the altercation.
This video proved to be the final straw for ABC and parent company Disney. Earlier in the week, Paul had described dealing with the investigation as "really difficult and heavy," and ABC had appeared to be standing by her, even as she withdrew from a scheduled appearance on The Tonight Show.
Official Statements and Fallout
Disney released a statement explaining the decision: "In light of the newly released video just 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."
In response, Paul's team issued a statement criticizing Mortensen's "never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor" as "a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behaviour."
Broader Implications for Reality TV
This incident is not the first controversy to plague The Bachelorette franchise. Last season, winner Devin Strader faced scrutiny after reports emerged of a 2017 restraining order filed against him by a girlfriend alleging physical assault. Strader denied the accusations, noting the order was never granted.
Additionally, production on the latest season of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which also falls under the Disney umbrella through Hulu, has reportedly been paused. ABC has not announced whether the fully filmed 22nd season of The Bachelorette will air at a future date, leaving fans and the industry awaiting further developments.
