In a stunning turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the reality television community, ABC has officially announced the bachelorette cancellation of Taylor Frankie Paul’s highly anticipated season. The network made the decision just three days before the scheduled March 22 premiere date, pulling the plug on the upcoming season amid serious domestic violence allegations that have resurfaced and intensified over recent weeks.
The unexpected cancellation marks one of the most dramatic moments in the long-running franchise’s history and has left fans, contestants, and industry insiders grappling with the fallout. Here’s everything we know about the situation, the allegations, and what comes next for everyone involved.
The Decision to Pull the Season
On Thursday, ABC and its parent company, Disney Entertainment Television, confirmed that the new season of “The Bachelorette” would not move forward at this time. A spokesperson for the network issued a statement explaining that the decision came in response to a newly released video that surfaced the same day.
“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,” the spokesperson shared with ABC News.
Paul, who first rose to fame on the Hulu hit “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” was announced as the leading lady for “The Bachelorette” back in September 2025. Her selection was widely celebrated as a bold choice for the franchise, bringing a massive social media following and a deeply personal story to the traditionally polished world of ABC’s dating shows.
The 2023 Altercation and Police Records
The video that triggered the cancellation was published exclusively by TMZ on Thursday. The footage showed an altercation between Paul and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, that took place in February 2023. In the video, Paul is seen throwing chairs at Mortensen. According to police records reviewed by multiple outlets, Mortensen reported that one of Paul’s children who was nearby was struck during the incident, resulting in injury.
The Herriman Police Department responded to the scene and ultimately charged Paul with a serious list of offenses, including:
- One count of aggravated assault (a felony)
- Two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child
- One misdemeanor count of child abuse
- One count of criminal mischief
In August 2023, Paul entered a plea in abeyance on the aggravated assault charge. This legal arrangement allowed her to have the felony reduced to a misdemeanor after completing three years of probation and adhering to the terms of her agreement. The other charges against her were dismissed as part of the deal, according to the Salt Lake Tribune, which cited court documents.
A New Investigation Emerges
Compounding the situation, the Draper City Police Department in Utah confirmed earlier this week that there is a separate, ongoing domestic assault investigation involving Paul and Mortensen. A spokesperson for the department told People magazine that “allegations have been made in both directions,” indicating that the investigation involves claims from both parties.
Police records show that contact was made with both Paul and Mortensen on February 24 and 25 of this year. When ABC News initially reached out for details, the Draper Police Department declined to comment extensively, stating that “without an immediate impact to public safety, it is the practice of the department not to release details related to active investigations.”
Following Thursday’s cancellation announcement, Draper Police issued an additional statement clarifying the distinction between the two cases. “It is important to differentiate that the video being shared is from a 2023 case that did not occur in Draper, and our police department was not involved in that investigation,” the department noted.
Paul’s Response and Statement
Following the announcement of the bachelorette cancellation, a spokesperson for Taylor Frankie Paul released a statement to ABC News defending her and painting a picture of an abuse survivor finally finding her voice.
“Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security,” the statement read. “After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, 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 went on to suggest that Paul’s experience is reflective of a broader problem. “There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives,” it continued. “Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation and public shaming. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story.”
Just one day before the cancellation, Paul appeared on “Good Morning America” to promote the upcoming season. During that interview, she acknowledged the difficult circumstances surrounding her time in the spotlight.
“It’s been a heavy time to see the headlines, especially during this time of ‘The Bachelorette’ being released,” Paul said. “It’s supposed to be a really exciting time.” She added, “I’m a person that will always speak my truth. That’s what I’m known for. So when the time is right, I will be.”
The Impact on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives”
The fallout from the domestic violence allegations and the subsequent bachelorette cancellation has extended beyond ABC’s dating franchise. During her “GMA” appearance, Paul also confirmed that production on season 5 of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” , the Hulu reality series that made her a household name , had been paused.
“As of now I have gotten word that it also has been paused,” Paul shared. She added that she was uncertain how long the production halt would last, saying, “As far as I know it was, but I don’t know for how long.”
The dual shutdown represents a significant professional setback for Paul, who had been riding a wave of momentum thanks to the success of the Mormon Wives franchise and her casting as the Bachelorette. Both shows were expected to be major television events for the spring season.
Family Dynamics and Background
Paul shares one child with Dakota Mortensen, her ex-boyfriend involved in both the 2023 incident and the current investigation. She is also the mother of two additional children , a daughter and a son , whom she shares with her ex-husband, Tate Paul. The references to her children in both the police records and the recent video have added another layer of complexity to an already sensitive situation, as the safety and well-being of minors are at the center of public concern.
ABC News reached out to Mortensen for comment earlier in the week but did not receive a response by the time of the cancellation announcement.
What This Means for the Bachelorette Franchise
The bachelorette cancellation is a rare move for the long-running franchise, which has typically avoided controversy of this magnitude at such a late stage in production. With the season reportedly ready to air in just three days, the network faced an unprecedented situation that required swift action.
The Walt Disney Company, which owns ABC, Hulu, and ABC News, has not indicated whether the season will be reworked with a new lead or shelved entirely. For now, the network’s stated priority remains “supporting the family” involved. The cast of contestants who had reportedly been preparing for their debut are also left in limbo, with no immediate clarity on their futures with the franchise.
Broader Conversations Around Reality TV Casting
This incident has reignited broader conversations within the entertainment industry about the vetting process for reality TV stars, particularly those coming from controversial backgrounds or with public legal histories. Paul’s prior plea in abeyance was a matter of public record, and questions are now being raised about how thoroughly networks investigate the backgrounds of potential leads before committing to multi-million dollar productions.
The situation also highlights the unique challenges that reality television producers face when cast members have complex personal histories. As streaming platforms and broadcast networks increasingly turn to personalities with built-in audiences from social media and other shows, the lines between entertainment and accountability continue to blur.
Looking Ahead
As of now, neither Paul nor ABC has confirmed what the future holds for either “The Bachelorette” season 22 or “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” season 5. The active investigation by Draper Police remains ongoing, and additional details could emerge in the coming weeks that further shape the public conversation.
For Taylor Frankie Paul, the immediate path forward appears to involve focusing on her family and legal protections. Her spokesperson’s statement suggests she intends to share her own account of the events in due course. For ABC and Disney, the priority will likely be damage control and reassessing the path forward for one of their flagship reality franchises.
The bachelorette cancellation serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly circumstances can change in the high-stakes world of reality television, and how the personal lives of public figures can intersect with professional commitments in unpredictable and consequential ways.