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ABC Cancels “The Bachelorette” Season Following Disturbing Video Release
In an unprecedented move, ABC has canceled the upcoming 22nd season of “The Bachelorette” just three days before its scheduled premiere. The decision follows the emergence of a disturbing video from 2023 showing star Taylor Frankie Paul physically assaulting her former partner Dakota Mortensen while her young daughter watched and cried in distress.
Disney Entertainment Television, ABC’s parent company, released a statement Thursday explaining their position: “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.”
The video, published by TMZ, shows Paul punching and kicking Mortensen before throwing chairs at him while repeatedly screaming “You did this!” Throughout the confrontation, Mortensen can be heard pleading with Paul to stop and reminding her that her daughter was witnessing the altercation. A child, approximately five years old at the time, can be heard sobbing and calling out for her mother.
The footage aligns with Paul’s 2023 arrest when she faced charges of aggravated assault and domestic violence in the presence of a child. She eventually pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge, with other counts dismissed.
A representative for Paul issued a statement suggesting she had been a victim of abuse herself: “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 further harm.”
Mortensen has categorically denied these accusations. “As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation. I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny,” his statement read.
Further complicating matters, police in Draper City, Utah, confirmed to People magazine that an open domestic violence investigation involving both Paul and Mortensen is currently underway, with allegations made by both parties.
Paul’s selection as “The Bachelorette” marked a departure from the show’s usual practice of promoting previous runners-up from “The Bachelor.” Instead, her casting appeared to leverage her existing fame as a controversial figure on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” another Disney-owned production streaming on Hulu.
Paul first gained notoriety as an influencer in the #MomTok community – a group of women from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who share their lives on TikTok. Her profile rose dramatically in 2022 when she publicly announced her divorce after “stepping out” of an agreed-upon arrangement with her then-husband regarding relationships with other couples.
Kate Casey, a former crisis communications specialist who hosts the podcast “Reality Life with Kate Casey,” suggests Paul’s casting represented a failed experiment by the network. “I think they were trying to shake things up, and it makes sense because the ecosystem is saturated with dating shows like ‘F-Boy Island’ and ‘Love Island’ that push the boundaries,” Casey explained.
Network executives likely hoped to tap into Paul’s substantial TikTok following of 6.1 million, Casey added. “The thinking was probably, ‘We’re going to get a new audience,’ and the new audience is really the most coveted in all of entertainment.”
In the wake of these developments, production of Season 5 of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” has been paused. Mikayla Matthews, Paul’s co-star on the show, explained on Instagram: “It was a decision that all of us girls came up with. We didn’t feel comfortable filming with everything that was happening.”
ABC will air an “American Idol” rerun on Sunday in place of “The Bachelorette” premiere. Paul had been actively promoting her role on “The Bachelorette” as recently as Wednesday on “Good Morning America” and at the Academy Awards red carpet last Sunday.
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13 Comments
This is a very unfortunate situation. Domestic violence should never be tolerated, especially when a child is present. ABC made the right call in canceling the show – they need to prioritize the safety and wellbeing of all involved.
While the cancellation is understandable, I’m curious to know more about the background and context that led to this incident. There are often complex dynamics at play in domestic situations.
Wow, this is a shocking turn of events. I’m glad ABC is taking the allegations seriously and not moving forward with the season. Domestic violence should never be tolerated, especially when a child is involved. My heart goes out to all impacted.
While the cancellation is understandable, I hope the situation can be resolved in a way that protects the child and addresses the underlying issues. Domestic abuse is a complex societal problem that requires nuanced solutions.
This is a very disturbing development. ABC made the right call to cancel the season given the troubling allegations of domestic violence. Prioritizing the well-being of the family and child is the most responsible course of action here.
The video footage is deeply disturbing. I hope the family can get the support they need during this difficult time. This incident highlights the importance of addressing toxic behaviors and promoting healthy relationships.
Agreed. No one should have to experience that kind of violence. Hopefully this leads to greater awareness and action to prevent domestic abuse.
This is a disturbing turn of events. It’s good that ABC is prioritizing the wellbeing of the family involved rather than proceeding with the show. Accountability and support should be the focus here.
This is a very troubling situation. I commend ABC for prioritizing the safety and welfare of the family over the production. Domestic violence is never acceptable, and I hope the individuals involved receive the support and resources they need.
The decision to cancel the show was the responsible choice. Domestic violence should never be glamorized or normalized, even indirectly. Kudos to ABC for taking a stand on this.
It’s good to see ABC taking decisive action in response to the alleged assault. The well-being of the family, especially the young child, must be the top priority. Hopefully, this will lead to greater accountability and support for those affected.
The decision to cancel the season is understandable given the disturbing nature of the allegations. I hope this leads to a thorough investigation and appropriate actions to protect the family and address the underlying issues.
This is a sad and complicated situation. I hope the authorities investigate thoroughly and that the family receives the help and resources they need to heal and move forward.