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The Bachelorette will not air tonight, as ABC cancelled Season 22 just three days before its premiere. The shocking decision came after a 2023 video surfaced showing lead Taylor Frankie Paul in a violent altercation, upending what should have been a triumphant television launch.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Cancellation Date: March 19, 2026, announced just hours after TMZ released the video
- Original Premiere: Tonight, March 22, 2026 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC (now showing American Idol rerun instead)
- Lead Star: Taylor Frankie Paul, 31, a MomTok influencer and mother of three
- Reason: Police investigation into domestic violence allegations involving her ex, Dakota Mortensen
ABC’s Unprecedented Last-Minute Decision
Disney announced the cancellation through an official statement that shocked the entertainment industry. According to Disney, the decision came after a newly released video surfaced showing Paul in the 2023 altercation, prompting immediate action.
A Disney spokesperson told TODAY.com, “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 network also confirmed that American Idol reruns would replace the show’s two-hour time slot from 8 to 10 p.m. ET.
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What the Video Shows and the Controversy
TMZ published the video just hours before ABC’s cancellation, capturing what appears to be Paul hitting, grabbing, and throwing three barstools at Mortensen. The footage appears to have been filmed by Mortensen himself during the 2023 incident, with a child heard crying in the background.
Mortensen can be heard saying in the video, “Your daughter is sitting right there.” Paul’s representative immediately disputed the portrayal, stating that the release was part of Mortensen’s “never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor.” NBC News has not independently verified the video, and both parties have made conflicting claims about the circumstances.
Timeline of Events and Investigation Status
| Date | Event |
| February 24-25, 2026 | Draper City Police made contact with Paul and Mortensen regarding open domestic assault investigation |
| March 16, 2026 | Draper City Police confirm ongoing domestic assault investigation with allegations in both directions |
| March 17, 2026 | Mormon Wives halts filming for Season 5, Mortensen files protective order petition |
| March 19, 2026 | TMZ releases video, ABC immediately cancels The Bachelorette within hours |
The Draper City Police Department has confirmed an ongoing investigation but declined to release details about the active case. According to police statements, both Paul and Mortensen have made allegations against each other. The department noted that contact was made on February 24 and 25, suggesting the investigation began weeks before the public controversy erupted.
“After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor 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.”
— Taylor Frankie Paul’s representative, statement to NBC News
Paul’s History and the Context Behind the Controversy
Taylor Frankie Paul emerged as a prominent figure through #MomTok, a viral movement of Utah-based mothers creating dance content on TikTok. She currently stars on the Hulu series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which halted production on its upcoming Season 5 amid the investigation.
Paul was previously arrested in 2023 following an earlier altercation with Mortensen, charged with assault, criminal mischief, and domestic violence in the presence of a child. She later reached a plea deal in August 2023, pleading guilty in abeyance to aggravated assault, while the other charges were dropped. Paul shares a 2-year-old son with Mortensen and has two older children with her ex-husband, Tate Paul.
What Happens to The Bachelorette’s Future and Contestants?
The cancellation marks an unprecedented setback for ABC, coming after extensive filming and production that wrapped in December 2025. The season had already been filmed from October through December 2025, with contestants already chosen and storylines ready. Industry reports suggest the network could face tens of millions of dollars in losses from the unexpected pull.
Observers are now questioning whether The Bachelorette will ever air or if it will be permanently shelved. ABC stated the decision was made “at this time,” leaving a small possibility of reconsideration, though executives have shown no indication of reconvening the project. The contestants’ reactions remain mixed, with some expressing sympathy for Paul while others questioned the network’s judgment in moving forward initially.
