In September 2025, ABC announced “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Taylor Frankie Paul as the lead of the next season of “The Bachelorette.” The season was pre-filmed and set to air on March 22.
However, Disney Entertainment announced the season’s cancellation on Thursday, citing a 2023 video that TMZ released Thursday showcasing a physical altercation between Paul and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen. Paul can be seen throwing metal chairs at Mortensen while Paul’s daughter is in the room, ultimately striking her daughter with one.
In the video, Mortensen can be heard telling Paul, “This is called physical abuse,” and “Your daughter just got hit in the head by a metal chair.”
Paul is yet to take ownership for these past faults. “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,” a spokesperson for Paul said following the video’s release. “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.”
Mortensen also released his own statement to US Weekly, saying he “categorically” denied her “baseless claims.”
The decision to pull the season came as a surprise to many, but truthfully, ABC should have seen this coming from the beginning.
Paul’s first domestic violence charges were a large topic covered in season one of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives”, so “The Bachelorette” has no excuse as to why this was ignored.
However, these domestic violence concerns did not end in 2023. On Monday, a spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department told People that Mortensen and Paul are a part of an open domestic assault investigation as well.
According to the spokesperson, ”allegations have been made in both directions” and “contact was made with involved parties on [Feb] 24th and 25th.”
Paul’s legal troubles have not only impacted “The Bachelorette,” but “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Mikayla Matthews confirmed that the shows’ fifth season has halted filming amid Paul and Mortensen’s most recent investigation.
ABC simply should have never selected Paul as the next bachelorette for the sole reason of her criminal history. Following the 2023 incident, Paul was charged with one count of felony aggravated assault and two felony counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child as well as two misdemeanors of child abuse and criminal mischef.
She ultimately pleaded guilty to one count of third degree felony aggravated assault and had the other charges dismissed. The one remaining charge was also set to be reviewed in August 2026 to potentially be dropped to a misdemeanor if Paul complied with her supervised probation terms.
Paul was still under probation when selected for “The Bachelorette” and throughout its filming.
Out of respect for the safety and reputation of contestants, ABC should perform a proper background check. Due to the violent nature of the charges Paul is facing, it is negligent for ABC to have selected Paul in the first place.
The Hollywood Reporter estimated that ABC will lose upwards of $30 million due to the season’s cancellation. While some may applaud the network for cancelling the show despite losing money, it is important to note that it was ABC’s blatant disregard for safety that landed it here.
Ignoring red flags when casting is nothing new to “The Bachelorette” franchise. During the release of Season 14 in 2018, it came to light that contestant Lincoln Adim had been charged with groping a woman in 2016 and convicted before the show’s release. Also, Season 21 winner Devin Strader was arrested on felony burglary charge in 2017 prior to being cast on the show.
Arguably, the most impacted people by this sudden cancellation are the contestants from this season.
While no one claims to go on “The Bachelorette” for fame or social media stardom, that is where many of the contestants end up. If this season truly is never aired, then these men wasted several months of their lives for far less than they expected. Considering the brand deals, social media circulation and partnerships these men could have made, it is difficult to overlook the impact this show could have had on their lives both financially and experientially.
Paul should have never been selected as the bachelorette. Hopefully, this turn of events will finally inspire ABC to understand the importance of properly vetting its contestants to ensure the safety and respect of everyone involved.
