The upcoming season of “The Bachelorette” has been canceled by ABC amid a police investigation involving its lead, Taylor Frankie Paul, a reality television personality known for her presence on Hulu’s “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” and as a TikTok influencer. The decision, announced on March 19, came just days before the show was set to premiere on March 22, and followed the surfacing of a video appearing to show Paul in an altercation with her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen.
Disney, ABC’s parent company, stated that the cancellation was a direct response to the newly released video. “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,” a Disney spokesperson said, according to multiple reports.
The cancellation marks a significant disruption for Paul, who had been promoting the season as recently as March 17, appearing on ABC’s “Good Morning America” to address the ongoing investigation. During the interview, Paul acknowledged the difficult timing, stating, “Honestly, just like, my heart hurts to see it, to go through it, especially at this time… it’s extremely hard, and it took everything to get me here today.”
Investigation and Allegations
The Draper City Police Department in Utah confirmed to People on March 16 that Paul and Mortensen are connected to an open “domestic assault investigation.” The police stated that “allegations have been made in both directions” and that contact was made with both parties on February 24 and 25. However, the department declined to provide further details, citing a policy of not releasing information related to active investigations.
The surfacing of the video, reportedly from 2023 and published by TMZ, appears to have been the catalyst for ABC’s decision. NBC News reported that the video shows Paul attacking and throwing chairs at Mortensen in front of her daughter, with Mortensen appearing to be the one filming the incident. NBC News has not independently verified the video.
Mortensen filed a petition for a protective order against Paul in Salt Lake County on March 19, according to documents obtained by NBC News. The filing was initially sent back for correction and an amended petition.
Statements from Involved Parties
Following the cancellation, a spokesperson for Paul released a statement to NBC News emphasizing her focus on family safety. “Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security,” the statement read. It further alleged years of “silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation” and stated that Paul 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.”
Mortensen responded to the allegations with a statement provided to People, saying, “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. I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same.” His representative stated that protecting their two-year-old son, Ever, is his “number one priority.”
Paul’s representative also issued a statement to NBC News, characterizing the situation as a “destructive campaign to harm Taylor” by Mortensen.
Impact on Other Projects
The fallout from the investigation extends beyond “The Bachelorette.” Filming for the fifth season of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” has been paused, according to reports. Paul’s co-star, Mikayla Matthews, announced on social media that the decision to halt production was a collective one among the cast, stating they “didn’t feel comfortable filming with everything that was happening.”
Paul, a mother of three, gained prominence as one of the creators of #MomTok, a viral movement of Utah mothers creating dance videos on TikTok. She shares a two-year-old child with Mortensen, as well as an 8-year-old daughter and a 5-year-old son with her ex-husband, Tate Paul.
Prior to this incident, Paul was arrested in 2023 following a fight with Mortensen, which was documented in the first episode of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.” She pleaded guilty in abeyance to aggravated assault in August 2023, with other charges being dropped, according to court documents.
What’s Next
As of March 20, the Draper City Police Department’s investigation remains ongoing. The outcome of Mortensen’s petition for a protective order against Paul is also pending. ABC has not yet announced what programming will fill the timeslot previously scheduled for “The Bachelorette.” The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected as the investigation progresses and legal proceedings unfold.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, resources are available. You can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit their website at https://www.thehotline.org/.
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