In a surprising turn of events, ABC network has decided to cancel the highly anticipated premiere of Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of *The Bachelorette*, originally set to air on March 22. This decision follows the emergence of disturbing footage showing Paul in an altercation with her ex-partner Dakota Mortensen.
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A spokesperson for Disney Entertainment Television announced the cancellation on March 19, stating, “We have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of *The Bachelorette* at this time.” Instead of the two-hour premiere scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, ABC will air a rerun of the popular singing competition show *American Idol* in its place.
The cancellation came just days before the season was to kick off, leading to a significant shake-up in the network’s programming. Following the rerun of *American Idol*, a new dating show titled *Love Overboard* is slated to air at 10 p.m. ET, filling the timeslot previously allocated for Paul’s debut on the reality dating franchise.
The video that triggered the cancellation reportedly shows Paul, aged 31, throwing chairs during an altercation with Mortensen while a child was present. Paul has two children, Indy’s age eight and Ocean’s age five, from her previous marriage, while her son Ever, aged two, is from her relationship with Mortensen.
In response to the release of the 2023 footage, a representative for Paul issued a statement to PEOPLE, expressing dismay at what they described as a “desperate, attention-seeking” attempt to hurt Paul without regarding the wellbeing of their child. The spokesperson noted that the video, presented without context, was released on their son’s birthday, painting the act as a means of manipulation rather than a genuine depiction of past events.
Paul’s relationship with Mortensen has been tumultuous, culminating in her arrest in early 2023 on charges related to domestic violence. Reports suggest she faced misdemeanor charges for assault, criminal mischief, and domestic violence in the presence of a child—charges that surfaced following an argument with Mortensen. According to CBS News, it was alleged that a chair Paul threw during the confrontation struck her daughter.
On March 16, the Draper City Police Department confirmed an open investigation into allegations of domestic assault involving both Paul and Mortensen. The police spokesperson noted that there were allegations directed towards both parties and confirmed interactions with those involved during late February. However, specifics of the ongoing investigation were withheld.
Mortensen’s representative later commented on the situation, clarifying that his primary concern is the protection of their son, Ever. The representative emphasised that Mortensen preferred to remain silent during the unfolding drama, hoping it would resolve without public discourse.
As these events unfolded, sources indicated that filming for the fifth season of *The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives* had also been paused due to the seriousness of the situation surrounding Paul. In a conversation with PEOPLE shortly before the cancellation of *The Bachelorette*, Paul described the investigation as “heavy” and unfortunate, expressing that she was grappling with the challenges posed by the current circumstances.
Having already completed filming her season with a roster of 22 male contestants, the cancellation has undoubtedly created uncertainty for Paul and the show’s production team. With the future of her reality television career now uncertain, the focus remains on the well-being of her children amid these troubling allegations.
For those experiencing domestic violence, support is available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline, which offers toll-free and confidential assistance 24/7 in numerous languages by calling 1-800-799-7233 or by visiting thehotline.org.