Is ‘The Bachelorette’ cancelled? What we know about ABC show amid Taylor Frankie Paul's ongoing investigation
Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of 'The Bachelorette' is stirring drama even before it airs on ABC. The 31-year-old star was involved in a physical altercation with her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, while filming 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' for Hulu. TMZ reported on Sunday that the Hulu series had halted production on Season 5, following a massive blow-up between the two. Things got worse after news broke that the police are currently investigating domestic assault allegations made by both parties against each other. In light of the ongoing police investigation, fans have been wondering whether ABC has cancelled the series or if 'The Bachelorette' will go ahead as planned and premiere on March 22.
Amidst all the speculation, the investigation will not impact the release schedule or press plans for The Bachelorette. Taylor has been busy promoting the show in New York, appearing on 'Good Morning America' and 'Live with Kelly and Mark,' ahead of the weekend premiere. As of this writing, the series is set to release on schedule, but we will have to wait and see as the situation unfolds. Moreover, the Draper City Police Department has confirmed that it spoke with both Taylor and Mortensen on Feb. 24th and 25th.
Taylor addressed the ongoing drama during her interview on 'Good Morning America,' "Honestly, it’s been a heavy time to see the headlines, especially during this time of 'The Bachelorette' being released, and it’s supposed to be a really exciting time. I’m a person who will always speak my truth, and that’s what I’m known for, and so when the time is right, I will be. But right now, just trying to be in the present moment and focus on this." On the other hand, a representative for Dakota told Entertainment Weekly on Wednesday that he just wants to co-parent their son effectively, "His number one priority here is protecting [their son], Ever."
This is not the first altercation between the on-again-off-again couple, who share a two-year-old son named Ever. In February 2023, Taylor was arrested for allegedly physically assaulting Mortensen. As per court documents, Taylor kicked and choked him, and also threw 'heavy metal chairs' at him, one of which landed on the head of her then 5-year-old daughter (from her previous marriage to Tate Paul). She was arrested on domestic violence charges and pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault. Her arrest and probation delayed filming of the first and second episodes of the Hulu series. 'The Bachelorette' will premiere its latest episodes on Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, and it will stream the next day on Hulu.
