**ABC Cancels ‘The Bachelorette’ Featuring Taylor Frankie Paul Amid Domestic Assault Allegations**
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In an unexpected turn of events, ABC has decided to cancel the upcoming season of “The Bachelorette,” starring Taylor Frankie Paul, merely three days before its scheduled premiere on Sunday, March 22. This decision follows the release of a distressing video showing Paul in a confrontation with her former partner, Dakota Mortensen.
A representative from Disney Entertainment Television confirmed the cancellation on March 19, citing the recently leaked footage as the reason behind the abrupt halt of the show. “In light of the newly released video that surfaced today, we have made the decision not to move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,” the spokesperson stated. The leaked video allegedly depicts Paul throwing furniture at Mortensen during an altercation while a child was present.
Paul and Mortensen’s relationship has been documented on the reality series “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” since its premiere in 2024. The couple, who began dating in the summer of 2022, share a son, Ever, who celebrated his second birthday on the day of the announcement. Paul also has two other children, Indy and Ocean, from her previous marriage to Tate Paul, which ended amid controversy surrounding their “soft-swinging” lifestyle.
The couple’s relationship was already under scrutiny, and Paul confirmed their split in January 2025 amid speculation from fans. In an emotional Instagram post, she expressed her struggles with the resulting chaos in her life, saying, “I cry every day,” and lamented the missed time with her children. In subsequent interviews, she stated that they were “individually working on ourselves and trying to heal.”
Filming for season five of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” has also been halted due to serious developments relating to Paul’s past. According to reports, the Draper City Police Department is currently involved in an open investigation concerning allegations of domestic assault involving both Paul and Mortensen. A department spokesperson indicated that allegations had been made in both directions and that authorities had made contact with the individuals involved late in February.
Mortensen’s representative responded to inquiries, asserting that his priority is the welfare of his child, Ever. “He has always wanted a decent relationship with Taylor, but it has been really hard to achieve,” the representative said. Mortensen has remained largely silent on the matter, indicating that he hoped the situation would resolve on its own without escalation.
Both Paul and Mortensen have had incidents of legal trouble in the past. In 2023, Paul faced charges related to domestic violence following an argument with Mortensen, which included allegations of child abuse stemming from an incident during which she allegedly threw a chair that struck her daughter. The recently released footage has reignited public interest and concern surrounding these charges, as it visibly depicts the tense interaction between them.
In the video, Paul can be heard throwing a chair while directing her anger towards Mortensen. As the confrontation escalates, their daughter Indy is heard crying in the background, highlighting the distressing nature of the incident. Mortensen, filming the altercation, expressed concern about the impact on their child, saying, “Your daughter just got hit in the head by a metal chair.”
A spokesperson for Paul has condemned the release of the footage, calling it a “desperate, attention-seeking campaign” aimed at harming Paul. They claimed the timing of the video’s release, coinciding with their son’s birthday, was a deliberate attempt to deflect attention away from Mortensen’s own behaviour.
In prior comments, Paul has maintained her innocence regarding the domestic violence charges, describing the period of her life as the hardest she has ever faced. Despite the tumultuous situation, she affirmed during an interview on “Good Morning America” that she feels it is crucial to speak her truth when the time is right.
As developments in this matter continue to unfold, it serves as a stark reminder of the layers involved in personal relationships, particularly under the public eye. For anyone struggling with domestic violence, resources are available, including the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, providing confidential support 24/7.