Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of The Bachelorette will not air after domestic violence allegations against her triggered widespread backlash.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star’s season of The Bachelorette, which wrapped filming in December, was fully edited and ready to premiere Sunday when the network announced Thursday that the show will not go forward as planned.
“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,” Disney said in a statement.
It comes after Paul, 31, has been involved in a recent domestic assault investigation regarding her relationship with her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, who is the father of her youngest child.
Paul was arrested and charged with aggravated assault in 2023 following an altercation with Mortensen that was chronicled on season one of the Hulu reality show. In August of that year, she pleaded guilty to a third-degree felony count of aggravated assault, and the other charges of criminal mischief and domestic violence against her were dropped.
Paul is serving three years’ probation from that case. Another charge would violate her probation, which is set to end in August.
Video of the 2023 incident was leaked Thursday to TMZ, showing Paul repeatedly attacking Mortensen, kicking him and putting him in a headlock.
“This is called physical abuse,” Mortensen said in the video as he pushed her away. “See Taylor, this is all you do.”
She then threw several metal barstools at him while her daughter, who was present in the room, began to cry.
Mortensen yelled, “your daughter is right here,” but Paul went on to throw two more stools. Mortensen then repeatedly accused Paul of being drunk.
After the disturbing footage came to light, Paul released a statement through her representatives to Variety: “It’s sad to see the latest installment of his never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor without any regard for the consequences for their child.”
“Releasing an old video, which conveniently omits context, on their son’s birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior. Thankfully, the public has seen this act before and knows who he is and sadly, many will recognize this pattern of manipulation, both in his actions on the show, and from their own experiences,” her representatives said.
She has yet to speak out about the cancellation.
News broke earlier this week that season five of SLOMW had paused production due to an alleged domestic dispute between Paul and Mortensen that happened February 24 and February 25. Draper City police said that allegations were made by both Paul and Mortensen and that no charges had been filed. Police refused to comment further to The Independent on the incident, citing the pending investigation.
Despite speculation over SLOMW’s hiatus from filming, Paul continued on her planned Bachelorette press tour throughout the week and doubled down on blaming Mortensen for the investigation.
The mom of three said about the backlash Wednesday on Good Morning America: “It’s supposed to be an exciting time. I’m a person that always speaks her truth, that’s what I’m known for. When the time is right, I will be.”
Paul was announced as the lead of The Bachelorette in September, marking the first time that a person outside of the franchise had been chosen for the role.
The national domestic abuse helpline offers support for women on 0808 2000 247, or you can visit the Refuge website. There is a dedicated men's advice line on 0808 8010 327. Those in the US can call the domestic violence hotline on 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org
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