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No, Hulu is not airing Taylor Frankie Paul’s Bachelorette season. ABC pulled the plug on Season 22 just 3 days before the March 22 premiere. The cancellation shocked fans after the network dropped a newly surfaced video showing allegations of assault.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Cancellation Date: March 19, 2026, ABC axed the entire season 3 days before premiere
- Original Premiere: Was scheduled for March 22, 2026 at 8/7c on ABC only, not Hulu
- Reason: Following a resurfaced video from a 2023 assault incident involving lead Taylor Frankie Paul
- Lead Star: Paul, 31, was first reality star from outside Bachelor franchise to lead the show
ABC Pulls Season Before Hulu Could Ever Stream It
ABC made the unprecedented decision to scrap season 22 entirely on March 19. The network had planned to air the premiere on Sunday, March 22 at 8 p.m. ET on broadcast only. While past seasons eventually stream on Hulu and Disney+, this season will never air anywhere after Disney Entertainment pulled support. An official statement from Disney confirmed the decision, citing newly released footage.
Taylor Frankie Paul, a 31-year-old mom and TikTok influencer, was set to make history as the first Bachelorette lead from outside the traditional Bachelor franchise. She rose to fame through The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, a Hulu reality series that premiered in September 2024. Her Bachelorette casting seemed like a natural next step until the controversy derailed everything.
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Is Hulu airing the Bachelorette? Nope, ABC won’t air Taylor Frankie Paul’s season
What Triggered the Last-Minute Cancellation
A video resurface forced ABC‘s hand on March 19, just hours before the network made its announcement. The footage showed a 2023 incident between Paul and her ex-boyfriend involving allegations of assault. Court records obtained by NPR confirm Paul agreed to plead guilty to a third-degree felony of aggravated assault related to the incident. She was originally charged with aggravated assault, child abuse, and domestic violence in the presence of a child.
The incident has haunted Paul’s public image since her arrest in 2023, but remained relatively contained until the video resurfaced this week. ABC’s decision to cancel just 72 hours before premiere represents an unprecedented move for the franchise. The network’s statement emphasized its desire to focus on supporting affected families rather than proceed with the broadcast.
The Bachelorette’s Streaming Timeline (Past and Present)
| Network/Platform | When Aired | Status for Season 22 |
| ABC Live Broadcast | Sundays, 8/7c ET | Cancelled, Will Not Air |
| Hulu Streaming | Next-day episodes | No Episodes to Stream |
| Disney+ Premium | Full archive library | Unavailable on Platform |
| Past Seasons (1-21) | Available | Still streaming on all platforms |
“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. Our focus is on supporting the family.”
— Disney Entertainment Television Spokesperson, Statement to USA TODAY
How Taylor Frankie Paul’s Path Led to This Moment
Paul’s rise and fall happened with remarkable speed. She gained initial viral fame in 2023 after disclosing her participation in soft swinging within a Utah friend group. That candid admission sparked massive interest, leading to the Hulu documentary-style series that premiered September 2024. The show became a cultural phenomenon, making Paul a household name in reality TV.
What many fans didn’t know was the 2023 arrest tied to an altercation with her then-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen. The incident resurfaced publicly in Secret Lives of Mormon Wives premiere, where it depicted a volatile relationship. What ABC likely hoped would fade proved impossible to ignore once TMZ released the actual video footage. The network determined the reputational risk and legal implications made broadcasting the season untenable.
What Happens to Season 22 Contestants Now?
Twenty-two eligible bachelors from across the United States had been selected for the season, including Kevin Montero, a 32-year-old physical therapist from Miami, Florida. These men invested months in production, attending dates and filming scenes. ABC has not publicly addressed compensation or next steps for the jilted cast. The network also hasn’t clarified whether Paul remains under contract or if the franchise will attempt to reboot with a different lead.
This cancellation marks the first time in Bachelorette history that a full season was shelved before airing. It raises major questions about what happens to reality TV productions when casting controversies emerge mid-production versus pre-production, and whether ABC will pursue legal recourse against anyone involved.
