ABC has canceled Taylor Frankie Paul‘s upcoming season of “The Bachelorette” after she became embroiled in a domestic violence case with her former partner, Dakota Mortensen.
The decision came amid reports that Paul and Mortensen were involved in a domestic violence incident in February—and after TMZ released never-before-seen video footage of an altercation taking place between the two in 2023.
A spokesperson for ABC confirmed that the new season of the reality series—which was due to premiere on March 22—has been shelved, telling The Hollywood Reporter: “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 footage released by TMZ, which is understood to have been taken inside the former couple’s Utah home, shows Paul appearing to kick her partner, before throwing chairs at him. Mortensen is then heard yelling: “Your daughter is right here,” suggesting that the reality star’s child was in close proximity to the altercation.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter on March 17, Paul admitted that she was “struggling” with the accusations, explaining: “I think it’s been really difficult and heavy given, you know, all the headlines and what’s going on. But I would say I am handling it like any normal human would, like struggling, but trying to show up at the same time.”
The news of the cancellation comes shortly after it was revealed that “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” had stopped filming while an investigation into the incident is carried out.
While the details of the alleged assault are unclear, multiple sources told People that filming on the Hulu reality series has halted indefinitely while a domestic assault investigation is conducted.
“They are not filming. Taylor has some pretty serious stuff happening regarding her past, and they will see what happens. Until that resolves, they are off,” an insider told the outlet.
Although details about the alleged incident have yet to be revealed, a spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department confirmed that there is an ongoing “domestic assault investigation” involving Paul, 31, and Mortensen, 33.
The spokesperson added that “allegations have been made in both directions” and “contact was made with involved parties on [Feb] 24 and 25.”
Furthermore, People’s sources claimed that the cast of the Hulu show are allegedly attempting to distance themselves from Paul while the investigation is ongoing.
“None of the women want to be associated with her,” the source claimed.
TMZ was first to report the reason for the pause in filming after Paul—who is also starring in the newest season of “The Bachelorette”—confirmed during an appearance on “Good Morning America” that work on the show had ceased.
“Honestly it’s been a heavy time to see the headlines, especially during this time of ‘The Bachelorette’ being released,” she said. “It’s supposed to be a really exciting time.
“I’m a person that will always speak my truth, that’s what I’m known for, and so when the time is right, I will be. But right now just trying to be in the present moment and focus on this. My kids do come first … it’s been stressful to be honest.”
Paul did not reveal a reason for the production shutdown, but noted that she was not behind the decision.
“I don’t call the shots with production … as far as I know it was [paused], but I don’t know for how long,” she said.
At the time, some assumed that “Mormon Wives” had halted filming because of Paul’s obligations for the new season of “The Bachelorette,” which has not announced any changes to its scheduling.
In September, Paul was named as the Season 22 star of “The Bachelorette”—months after revealing that she was moving out of her Utah home to get a “fresh start.”
The 31-year-old mom of three’s role at the center of the ABC dating show was announced by “Call Her Daddy” podcast host Alex Cooper on Sept. 10, when Paul sat down with her for an interview about her new venture.
“You are on ‘Call Her Daddy’ so we can officially announce that you are this season’s Bachelorette. How are you feeling?” the host asked the TV personality.
Paul explained that the idea of her being on the show began as a joke three years ago when she posted about it on TikTok; however, she always assumed it was “unattainable.”
The shock announcement about her new journey to find love came three months after she confessed that she was looking to move out of her Utah home following her heartbreaking split from Mortensen, with whom she shares a baby son.
Paul, who welcomed son Ever True, 1, with Mortensen in March 2024, announced the news by sharing an Instagram video in which she could be seen breaking down in tears while packing up her belongings alongside her baby boy.
“Helping me pack for somewhere new,” Paul wrote alongside the clip, which showed Ever keeping his mom company as she unloaded a closet in her home.
“At least I get an angel out of it,” she added, alluding to her bitter split from Mortensen, whom she began dating in 2022 shortly after her first marriage ended due to her involvement in a “soft-swinging scandal” that Paul exposed on her TikTok page.
Paul’s involvement in—and ultimate exposure of—the “soft-swinging” that she claims took place among a circle of friends in Utah caused such a frenzy of speculation that it led to the influencer and her friends landing their own Hulu series, which premiered its second season in May.
The show focuses on a group of Mormon women who reside in Utah, many of whom were involved in the popular #MomTok trend on TikTok, which Paul claims to have started.