Why 'The Bachelorette' Season Starring Taylor Frankie Paul Will Not Air

 Trigger Warning for domestic violence detailed in this article.  

Taylor Frankie Paul at the Oscars in Los Angeles on March 15, 2026

 

Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Taylor Frankie Paul was the new Bachelorette, but since recent accusations have come to light, ABC will no longer air her season, losing out on millions of dollars. According to a report from NBC News, this is the third accusation of domestic violence by Taylor Frankie Paul from her ex, Dakota Mortensen. 

Ahead of her season premiere for The Bachelorette, TMZ obtained and released the video of Taylor repeatedly screaming and attacking Dakota, revealing one of her children was injured during the fight. This video is filmed on Dakota Mortensen’s phone during the 2023 incident where she pleaded guilty to aggravated assault. 

The video is very disturbing, showing Taylor throwing bar stools and yelling at Dakota, “You threw me” and “You did this to me”. The heartbreaking moment her daughter is hit by the chair, you can hear her begin to cry. Many have suspected that there was more that happened before this altercation that wasn’t documented by Dakota. Taylor had claimed that Dakota threw her to the ground in the police report before he began recording. When police arrived after the complaints from neighbors, her daughter had “a goose egg on her head.” After this incident, she was placed on 3 years of probation, which ends in August. Dakota and Taylor have both been ordered by the Utah Division of Children and Family Services to undergo a psych evaluation. 

Taylor Frankie Paul’s representative had this to say about the recent video: “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. 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.” 

Dakota Mortensen’s representative stated in an interview with Entertainment Weekly: “His number one priority here is protecting (their two-year-old son), Ever. He knew there was a possibility it could come out, but he was not going to be the one to proactively do that because he has always wanted a decent relationship with Taylor.”

Filming of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives was paused due to the video being released mid-season. Most cast members made statements regarding the video, and in a recent interview on Alex Cooper’s podcast Call Her Daddy, Jessi Draper explained that the cast collectively decided to pause filming in lieu of the video. 

Co-star Layla Taylor wrote on her Instagram story: “My personal history as a survivor makes it impossible for me to stay silent. I stand firmly against domestic violence in any form. I keep her children in my thoughts, hoping for their safety above all else.” Miranda Hope also took to Instagram to post on her story addressing the video: “Everything has been really tough to see. Domestic violence and abuse of any kind is something I take very seriously. As a human, and especially a mother, I cannot support that kind of behavior.” 

After the announcement that The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives was put on pause, a Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson issued a statement: “In light of the newly released video just 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.”

Fans have claimed that Dakota was the one who submitted the video to TMZ, but TMZ claims it was evidence they obtained from the police. In past interviews, other cast members of Taylors, including Mayci and Layla, have claimed that Dakota tries to ruin everything that Taylor has going for her. Fans speculate this was his way of taking away her spotlight once again. 

If ABC was so concerned with the domestic violence video and canceled her season, why wouldn’t they choose a different person from the start? The public has known about these claims and investigations, but now that the video has surfaced, we can’t support her? 

No further updates have been made regarding her season of The Bachelorette or resuming filming of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, but new claims made by gossip site Deux Moi seem to be pointing to Love Island reality star Maura Higgins becoming the new Bachelorette, and fans are here for it!