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ABC just pulled the plug on Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of The Bachelorette hours after a devastating 2023 video surfaced. The Season 22 premiere, scheduled for this Sunday March 22, has been completely canceled. What led to this shocking decision just days before launch? The answer involves domestic violence allegations and disturbing footage nobody at the network had seen before.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Decision Made: Thursday March 19, hours after TMZ released 2023 video footage
- Season Number: Season 22 was canceled just 3 days before its scheduled Sunday premiere
- Domestic Violence Allegation: Paul faces an open domestic assault investigation with ex Dakota Mortensen involving late February 2026 claims
- Past Conviction: Paul entered a plea in abeyance to aggravated assault charges stemming from the 2023 incident shown in the newly leaked video
The Leaked Video That Changed Everything
On Thursday morning, TMZ published shocking footage from a 2023 altercation between Taylor Frankie Paul and her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen. The 3-minute video shows Paul physically attacking Mortensen and throwing metal chairs at him during their fight. In the disturbing footage, one metal chair strikes a child who was sitting on the couch nearby. The video captured Mortensen documenting the incident as it happened, with him saying “Your daughter just got hit in the head by a metal chair” as the child can be heard crying in the background.
ABC’s Immediate Response to the Footage
Disney Entertainment Television moved swiftly after the video went public. According to the network’s official statement, they said, “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 source connected to The Bachelorette revealed that no one at ABC had seen the video before TMZ released it Thursday morning. The cancellation represents an unprecedented move for the franchise, occurring just 72 hours before the planned premiere.
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Taylor Frankie Paul’s Legal History and Current Investigations
Paul’s past and present legal troubles paint a troubling picture. In 2023, she was arrested for the domestic violence incident shown in the leaked video. She faced felony charges for aggravated assault and domestic violence in the presence of a child. Later, Paul entered a plea in abeyance to a third-degree felony count of aggravated assault, meaning the charges could be dismissed if she meets court-ordered conditions. Now, a new domestic assault investigation began in late February 2026 involving Mortensen. The Draper City Police Department confirmed the open investigation, noting that “allegations have been made in both directions.” Additionally, Utah’s Division of Children and Family Services is investigating claims of violence between Paul and Mortensen. Her ex has also filed a protective order petition and is seeking sole custody of their shared son.
| Event | Date/Details |
| 2023 Altercation | Paul arrested for domestic violence, pleaded to aggravated assault |
| January 2025 | Paul confirmed breakup from Mortensen after weeks of speculation |
| February 2026 | New domestic assault investigation opened involving both parties |
| March 19, 2026 | 2023 video leaked on TMZ, ABC cancels entire season same day |
“It’s been a heavy time to see the headlines, especially during this time of The Bachelorette being released. 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.”
— Taylor Frankie Paul, on Good Morning America, March 18, 2026
How This Impacts the Mormon Wives Reality Star
Paul, who rose to TikTok fame as part of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, was being positioned as the new face of The Bachelorette franchise. The fifth season of her Hulu series paused production early in the week after reports of the investigation surfaced. Fellow MomTok creators confirmed the decision was mutual. Paul had been cast specifically as Season 22’s lead, marking the first time The Bachelorette chose someone from the “soft-swinging” MomTok community. The fourth season of Mormon Wives, released just a week ago, actually showed Paul’s cast mates encouraging her to pursue The Bachelorette opportunity and move forward from Mortensen. She was scheduled to appear on The Tonight Show while promoting the season, but that appearance has also been canceled following the video’s release.
Is The Bachelorette Season 22 Ever Coming Back?
The question remains whether ABC will salvage this production. Will the network find a replacement lead, delay filming, or abandon the entire season? As of now, Disney has said nothing is planned for The Bachelorette going forward. The cancellation raises serious questions about how thoroughly networks vet casting decisions. If no one at ABC knew about this video before it surfaced publicly, what else might be missing from background checks? The franchise faces intense pressure to address these failures before moving forward with any new season. The fate of The Bachelorette Season 22 remains entirely uncertain.
Sources
- TMZ – Exclusive reporting on ABC’s decision and the leaked 2023 video footage
- People Magazine – Comprehensive coverage of the cancellation and Taylor Frankie Paul’s legal history
- Salt Lake Tribune – Details on the domestic violence allegations and Paul’s past charges
