ABC has cancelled the upcoming season of The Bachelorette just before it was set to air, following allegations and newly released video footage of a domestic assault incident involving its lead, Taylor Frankie Paul. Production on her other show, Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Lives, has also been put on hold. Here’s a breakdown of what’s been happening.
Who is Taylor Frankie Paul?
Paul gained attention on TikTok in 2022 when she shared that she and her former husband had explored open relationships with other couples in their Mormon community. This led to the Hulu reality show The Secret Life of Mormon Wives, which began in 2024 and showed the reactions within her online community. The show’s first episode also detailed Paul’s 2023 arrest for assault and domestic violence in front of a child involving her then-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, causing production to halt for nearly a year before restarting. Paul later pleaded guilty to aggravated assault as part of a legal agreement. She and Mortensen had a child together in March 2024, but their turbulent relationship ended later that year in December.
Why would ABC make her the Bachelorette?
It might seem like a strange choice, but after successfully bringing Whitney Leavitt and Jen Affleck from Mormon Wives onto season 34 of Dancing With the Stars, ABC decided to capitalize on that connection with another reality show. In September 2025, Paul announced on Call Her Daddy that she would be the first celebrity contestant on The Bachelorette. Her season was scheduled to begin airing on March 22nd, shortly after the fourth season of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives premiered on March 12th.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=7CpLI_Dr9_Q
What’s the scandal?
On March 16th, People magazine reported that police were investigating a domestic violence situation involving Paul and her ex-boyfriend, Mortensen. A spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department confirmed to People that they are investigating claims of domestic assault made by both Paul and Mortensen. The police made contact with both individuals on February 24th and 25th.
What was the reaction to the news that she was being investigated?
Production on season five of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives was temporarily stopped after crew members witnessed conversations about domestic violence, according to NBC News. Hulu, the streaming service, ordered a week-long pause in filming following these discussions.
How has Paul reacted?
Even with the recent news, she continued posting on TikTok and promoting the new season of The Bachelorette. The press tour felt uncomfortable, with interviews on shows like Live With Kelly and Mark and Good Morning America carefully avoiding the topic. She told Good Morning America on March 18th that it’s been a difficult time with the headlines appearing as the show launched, and that she always intends to be honest and will address things when she’s ready.
Where does Cinnabon stand on the matter?
Cinnabon was the first company to react to the recent news, announcing on March 17th that it would end its partnerships with both The Bachelorette and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. The company stated that allegations against a lead cast member caused them to reconsider the collaborations, as they no longer reflected Cinnabon’s values.
What’s this new TMZ video? Was that the last straw for ABC?
TMZ released a video on Thursday, March 19th, showing an older incident of domestic violence involving Mortensen and Paul. This incident led to Paul’s 2023 arrest, which was briefly shown in the pilot episode of Mormon Wives. The video, which is unrelated to the current investigation, depicts Paul attacking Mortensen and throwing three stools at her. Mortensen’s daughter was present and can be heard crying after one of the stools is thrown.
As a huge fan of The Bachelorette, I was really shocked to hear that ABC cancelled the upcoming season. Apparently, a video came out today, and the network decided they couldn’t move forward with filming right now. A spokesperson for Disney Entertainment Television said their priority is supporting the family involved, which, honestly, feels like the right thing to do.
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2026-03-20 01:54