ABC Cancels Taylor Frankie Paul’s “The Bachelorette” Season Amid Domestic Violence Controversy and Ongoing Investigations

ABC has canceled the upcoming season of “The Bachelorette,” which starred Taylor Frankie Paul, just days before its scheduled premiere. The decision follows the release of a 2023 video showing an altercation between Paul and her ex-partner, Dakota Mortensen. The video, published by TMZ on Thursday, depicts Paul attacking Mortensen in front of their daughter. ABC, owned by Disney, stated that in light of the newly surfaced footage, they would not move forward with the season and emphasized their focus on supporting the family.

Taylor Frankie Paul, a prominent figure in the online “MomTok” community, was an unconventional choice for the lead role on “The Bachelorette.” Unlike previous leads who were typically runners-up from earlier seasons of the franchise, Paul had not appeared on the show before. She gained recognition for her role on Hulu’s “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” a reality series that follows Utah-based Mormon mothers sharing their lives on TikTok. Both Hulu and ABC operate under Disney’s umbrella. Paul’s casting was initially praised for bringing fresh energy to the franchise, which has experienced declining viewership in recent years.

The controversy surrounding Paul stems from a 2023 incident in which she was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, criminal mischief, and domestic violence in the presence of a child. Court records indicate that she pleaded guilty in abeyance to a misdemeanor aggravated assault charge in August 2023, with other charges dismissed. The incident and its aftermath were documented in the first episode of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.” Authorities in Draper City and West Jordan, Utah, have confirmed ongoing domestic violence investigations involving Paul and Mortensen, with allegations reportedly made by both parties. Police departments have refrained from releasing detailed information due to the active nature of the investigations.

The fallout from the allegations has extended beyond ABC’s cancellation. Hulu paused filming of the fifth season of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” after cast members expressed discomfort continuing production amid the domestic violence concerns. A source close to the production revealed that Hulu imposed a weeklong break after witnessing discussions of domestic violence during filming. Cast members reportedly insisted on action before resuming work. Additionally, Cinnabon terminated its collaboration with both “The Bachelorette” and “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” citing that the recent developments no longer aligned with the brand’s values. As of now, the future of both shows remains uncertain, with production on hold and no announced timeline for resumption.