ABC Cancels Taylor Frankie Paul’s Bachelorette Season

Content Warning: This piece describes accounts of domestic violence.

Amid a domestic assault investigation and leaked footage tied to her 2023 arrest, ABC has canceled Taylor Frankie Paul’s Bachelorette season.

“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 Disney Entertainment spokesperson told TMZ on March 19.

The video in question — shared by TMZ earlier in the day — was filmed by Taylor’s ex, Dakota Mortensen, in February 2023. In the leaked footage, Taylor can be seen throwing kitchen chairs at Dakota while her daughter is on the couch nearby. At one point, the little girl can seemingly be heard crying. Dakota urges Taylor to stop and help her, later saying: “Your daughter just got hit in the head with a metal chair.”

At the time, a statement from the Herriman City Police Department said evidence suggested Taylor’s “minor child was injured” as a result of her actions. According to local news station KSL, Taylor pleaded guilty to a felony count of aggravated assault as part of an agreement that would dismiss her charges of domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse with injury, and criminal mischief.

The felony would be reduced to a misdemeanor in 36 months if Taylor followed the terms of the agreement, per KSL.

The aftermath of the incident was explored in the first episode of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Looking back during a September appearance on Call Her Daddy, Taylor stated, “I never had hurt my daughter. I never intentionally did anything with my children — I never have, ever.”

More recently, authorities confirmed to People that Taylor and Dakota are the subject of a domestic assault investigation. A spokesperson said contact was made with the parties in late February, and that “allegations have been made in both directions.”

After that news broke on March 16, it seemed as though Taylor’s season would still air — in fact, she appeared on Good Morning America and Live with Kelly and Mark on March 18. “I’m a person that will always speak my truth, and that’s what I’m known for, and so when the time is right, I will be,” she told GMA. “But right now [I’m] just trying to be in the present moment and focus on this.”

But as Disney’s statement makes clear, the company could not move forward after the leaked video. Mormon Wives has also paused filming amidst the uncertain time, with castmate Mikayla Matthews writing on Instagram: “It was a decision that all us girls came up with and agreed on. We didn’t feel comfortable filming with everything that was happening.”

Taylor Speaks Out

In a statement shared with People, a spokesperson for Taylor said she is “very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security.”

The statement continues: “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.”

The reality star and mom of three “has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation and public shaming.” Going forward, Taylor is “exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story.”