ABC shelves Taylor Frankie Paul's 'Bachelorette' season amid domestic violence allegations
Taylor Frankie Paul's season of "The Bachelorette" has been pulled three days ahead of its March 22 premiere following allegations of domestic violence.
In a statement shared with ABC News on Thursday, a Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson 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 was announced as "The Bachelorette" in September 2025.
The cancellation comes after TMZ published exclusive video on Thursday from a previous altercation between Paul -- who also stars on "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" -- and ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen in February 2023. During that altercation, Paul is seen throwing chairs at Mortensen and Mortensen says one of Paul's children nearby was struck, causing injury, according to police records.
Paul shares one child with Mortensen. She also shares two children -- a daughter and son -- with ex-husband Tate Paul.
Taylor Frankie Paul was charged at the time with aggravated assault, as well as two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, one misdemeanor count of child abuse, and one count of criminal mischief, according to the Herriman Police Department.
Paul ultimately entered a plea in abeyance in August 2023 to one felony count of aggravated assault, allowing for the charge to be downgraded to a misdemeanor after three years, so long as Paul followed the terms of the agreement, according to the Salt Lake Tribune, citing court documents. She was sentenced to probation, and the other charges against her were dismissed.
Earlier this week, a spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department in Utah told People there was a separate "open domestic assault investigation" involving Paul and Mortensen, and that "allegations have been made in both directions."
Police told the outlet that "contact was made with involved parties" back on Feb. 24 and 25.
The Draper Police Department shared a statement with ABC News earlier in the week, when asked for details on the investigation, saying, "The Draper Police Department respects the rights and privacy of all citizens. Without an immediate impact to public safety, it is the practice of the department not to release details related to active investigations."
In a separate statement to ABC News on Thursday, Draper Police said, "There is nothing additional related to the Draper Police investigation that is public information at this time."
"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 added, referring to the 2023 video published by TMZ.
In a statement to ABC News on Thursday, following the announcement that "The Bachelorette" season 22 would not move forward, a spokesperson for Paul said, "Taylor is very grateful for ABC's support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security. 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."
"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," the spokesperson 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."
In an interview with "Good Morning America" on Wednesday to promote "The Bachelorette," Paul said she was going through a "heavy time."
"It's been a heavy time to see the headlines, especially during this time of 'The Bachelorette' being released,'" Paul said at the time. "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."
Paul confirmed to "GMA" on Wednesday that production on season 5 of "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" had been halted.
"As of now I have gotten word that it also has been paused," she said.
She added, "As far as I know it was, but I don't know for how long."
ABC News reached out to Mortensen for comment earlier this week but did not hear back.
ABC News' Mason Leib also contributed to this report.
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