The Bachelorette has been put on hold as the fallout between Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen continues to unfold. The ABC reality series, which was set to premiere on Sunday, March 22, has been removed from the schedule, and the network has not indicated whether it will air at a later date.
“In light of the newly released video that surfaced today, we have made the decision not to move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,” a spokesperson for Disney Entertainment Television tells Yahoo in a statement.
The news comes shortly after TMZ published a video from a 2023 fight between Paul and Mortensen — an incident that appears to be the same one that led to Paul’s arrest at the time. The footage is separate from the alleged domestic dispute in February that prompted the current investigation.
Authorities in Utah have confirmed there is an active domestic violence investigation involving the former couple, who share a 1-year-old son, Ever. The Draper City Police Department said officers made contact with both parties on Feb. 24 and Feb. 25 and that allegations have been made in both directions. News of the February incident surfaced Sunday night, shortly after Paul attended the Oscars and just one week before her season of The Bachelorette was set to premiere. Officials have declined to release further details while the case remains open.
Dakota Mortensen and Taylor Frankie Paul in 2025
(Fred Hayes/Dinsey)
The newly released footage appears to show Paul striking and kicking Mortensen, and at one point, throwing a chair in his direction while a young child is nearby. Paul also shares two older children, ages 8 and 5, with her ex-husband.
Paul issued a statement to Variety on Thursday: “It’s sad to see the latest installment of his never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor without any regard for the consequences for their child. Releasing an old video, which conveniently omits context, on their son’s birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior. Thankfully, the public has seen this act before and knows who he is and sadly, many will recognize this pattern of manipulation, both in his actions on the show, and from their own experiences.”
According to TMZ, Mortensen filed for a protective order in Utah on Tuesday, seeking temporary custody of Ever and requesting that Paul abstain from alcohol and drugs during her parenting time.
A representative for Mortensen said in a statement Wednesday that his priority is protecting the couple’s young son and that he hopes to maintain a cooperative co-parenting relationship with Paul. The rep also pushed back on suggestions that Mortensen was responsible for the timing of the allegations becoming public.
The fallout has also extended to The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, where production on Season 5 has been paused as the investigation unfolds. A source previously told Variety that the halt is expected to be temporary and that the alleged February incident did not occur while cameras were rolling.
Behind the scenes, concern for Paul has been growing. Multiple sources told People that some cast members have been reluctant to continue filming, with one saying they are worried about her well-being and want her to get the help she needs.
This is a developing story. Please refresh this page for updates.
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