The latest installment of the reality TV dating show The Bachelorette has been axed due to allegations of domestic violence involving one of its key figures. Footage surfaced showing Taylor Frankie Paul apparently engaging in physical altercation with her former partner, Dakota Mortensen, leading to the show’s cancellation.
Taylor was set to star in the upcoming season of the spin-off series, where a woman selects a life partner from a pool of suitors, following the format of The Bachelor. The decision to pull the show, already filmed and scheduled for imminent broadcast, was announced by a spokesperson for Disney-owned ABC, the network behind the show.
Citing the emergence of the incriminating video, the network stated, “We have opted not to proceed with the new season of ‘The Bachelorette’ at this time, with our primary focus on providing support to the affected family.”
The video, obtained by TMZ, captured an incident in 2023 involving Taylor and Dakota, resulting in Taylor’s arrest on charges of assault, criminal mischief, and domestic violence in the presence of a child. In the video, Dakota can be heard describing the episode as physical abuse.
The arrest footage of Taylor from the 2023 incident was showcased on a recent episode of Hulu’s Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Responding to the video, a representative for Paul issued a statement to People, condemning the release as a manipulative ploy to tarnish Taylor’s image, with a disregard for the impact on their child.
Paul confirmed that production of the forthcoming season of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, where she co-stars, has been halted due to ongoing events. Paul, known for her social media presence focusing on motherhood and dance content within the Mormon community, has faced legal action as Mortensen filed for a protective order against her, a filing that was returned for corrections.
As per Salt Lake County District Court records, Mortensen lodged a request for a protective order against Paul through legal channels, highlighting the escalating fallout from the recent events.