ABC cancels Taylor Frankie Paul's 'Bachelorette' season as resurfaced video shows fight with Dakota
In a last-minute decision that caught fans off guard, ABC has pulled the upcoming season of ‘The Bachelorette’ led by Taylor Frankie Paul, just days before its premiere on March 22. The confirmation came from Disney Entertainment Television's spokesperson after reports had already been circulating about a domestic violence investigation involving Paul and her former partner, Dakota Mortensen. However, things took a turn on March 19, when TMZ released a 2023 video of a past altercation between the two, with Paul seen attacking Mortensen while her child was present.
Disney didn’t dance around the issue either. In a statement to NBC News, the company said, “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.” Paul's representative also shed light on the situation, stating that the reality TV personality is “very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security.” According to the statement, “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.”
Mortensen, through legal counsel, has also taken action. Court records indicate he filed for a protective order on March 19. The initial filing was returned due to missing information, and a revised version was requested by the court. Moreover, multiple sources, speaking anonymously with NBC News, confirmed that there is an ongoing investigation tied to the pair, though specifics remain under wraps for now. A spokesperson from the West Jordan Police Department also acknowledged to PEOPLE that a “domestic assault investigation” is open, with allegations being made from both sides. All of this comes as a sharp turn for Paul, who had been positioned as a somewhat unconventional lead for the long-running dating franchise.
Her selection back in September 2025 raised eyebrows, but it also sparked curiosity. She brought a built-in audience, thanks to her role in shaping the ‘MomTok’ corner of TikTok. That online presence eventually led to the launch of ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ on Hulu in 2024, where viewers got a closer look at her life, including her complicated, on-again-off-again relationship with Mortensen. But now, that same show has reportedly paused production on its fifth season amid the current situation. Meanwhile, it's important to note that her ‘Bachelorette’ season isn’t scrapped outright, as of this writing, but it’s off the schedule indefinitely. For now, ABC confirmed in a press release that it will fill the Sunday 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. slot with a repeat of ‘American Idol’.
