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TMZ news released a shocking 2023 video today showing Taylor Frankie Paul attacking ex Dakota Mortensen with metal barstools, forcing ABC to cancel her Bachelorette season just days before premiere. The footage from the 2023 incident reveals a brutal physical confrontation with a child present in the home.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Video Release: TMZ published footage on March 19, 2026, showing the 2023 assault incident.
- Guilty Plea: Taylor Frankie Paul pleaded guilty in August 2023 to aggravated assault, a third-degree felony.
- Season Cancellation: ABC officially pulled Bachelorette Season 22, scheduled to premiere March 22, 2026.
- Production Halt: Her Hulu show Secret Lives of Mormon Wives also suspended Season 5 filming amid the scandal.
The Viral Video Changes Everything
The explosive footage obtained by TMZ on Thursday morning sent shockwaves through the entertainment world. The video shows Taylor Frankie Paul repeatedly attacking Dakota Mortensen, reportedly throwing metal barstools and other objects during the 2023 incident. Multiple news outlets including NBC News and The New York Times confirmed the footage’s authenticity within hours. The disturbing video also shows a child present during the altercation, adding serious legal implications. ABC executives immediately began emergency discussions following the video’s release.
What makes this situation particularly damaging is the timing. Taylor Frankie Paul was set to become the face of The Bachelorette, one of ABC’s flagship reality dating shows. The network had already launched promotional teasers for Season 22. Industry insiders say the video release forced ABC’s hand into an unprecedented decision to pull the entire season rather than risk further controversy.
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The 2023 Arrest and Guilty Plea
Taylor Frankie Paul was arrested in 2023 following the physical altercation with Dakota Mortensen. She faced significant charges including aggravated assault, domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse, and criminal mischief. In August 2023, she accepted a plea agreement and pleaded guilty to a third-degree felony count of aggravated assault. The plea deal required her to satisfy specific conditions and legal obligations. Despite the guilty plea and law enforcement records, ABC initially moved forward with casting her as the Bachelorette. Network officials claimed they had thoroughly vetted her background.
| Detail | Information |
| Incident Date | 2023 |
| Arrest Date | 2023 |
| Charges | Aggravated assault, domestic violence in presence of child, child abuse, criminal mischief |
| Plea Date | August 2023 |
| Guilty Verdict | Third-degree felony aggravated assault |
ABC Makes Historic Cancellation Decision
ABC announced the cancellation of Bachelorette Season 22 on March 19, 2026, just three days before the scheduled premiere date. The network released a statement confirming that Taylor Frankie Paul‘s season would not proceed as planned. Disney Entertainment, ABC’s parent company, reportedly held multiple emergency meetings to discuss the fallout. This represents an extraordinary move by the network, as they typically absorb controversies rather than pulling entire seasons from production. The cancellation also delays audience resolution of what would have been the franchise’s 22nd dating competition season. Bachelorette producers face significant financial implications from halting post-production and promotional campaigns.
“Paul was arrested in 2023 and charged with aggravated assault, domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse and criminal mischief.”
— The 19th News, reporting on Taylor Frankie Paul’s background
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Shutdown
Taylor Frankie Paul also stars in The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, a popular Hulu series that documents her life as a reality personality. The show’s Season 5 filming was paused earlier this week when the domestic violence investigation surfaced. Sources told PEOPLE Magazine that cast members collectively decided to halt production following allegations involving Dakota Mortensen. Mikayla Matthews, another cast member, confirmed the production pause to media outlets. The video release today essentially confirms those allegations, making a swift return to filming highly unlikely. Hulu has not issued an official statement regarding Season 5’s future. Industry observers predict the show may face significant format changes or recasting if production resumes.
What Happens Next for Taylor Frankie Paul and Reality TV?
The cancelled Bachelorette season leaves major questions about how networks will handle domestic violence allegations going forward. Taylor Frankie Paul‘s case raises serious concerns about vetting processes at major entertainment companies. ABC and Disney face renewed scrutiny over how her guilty plea wasn’t discovered during the casting process. The franchise now must decide whether to produce a replacement season or delay The Bachelorette entirely. Dakota Mortensen has reportedly filed paperwork seeking a restraining order. Will the network prioritize survivor support or viewer entertainment in future casting decisions? The entire reality television industry will be watching how this scandal reshapes production standards and due diligence requirements.
Sources
- TMZ – Exclusive video footage and breaking news coverage of the March 19, 2026 release.
- NBC News – Investigative reporting on Taylor Frankie Paul’s 2023 assault charges and Bachelorette cancellation.
- The New York Times – Arts and television analysis of ABC’s unprecedented Bachelorette season pullback.
