Taylor Frankie Paul video tied to domestic violence investigation related to ABC cancellation of season 22 of ‘The Bachelorette.’
Tonight, Sunday, March 22, was supposed to bring the premiere of “The Bachelorette” season 22, but ABC has canceled the show.
On March 19, ABC pulled the plug on what would have been a historic season of “The Bachelorette.” “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Taylor Frankie Paul would have been the first “Bachelorette” to come from a different reality TV show franchise.
Paul and her ex-boyfriend and father of her youngest child, Dakota Mortensen, are entangled in an ongoing domestic violence investigation that eventually caused ABC to pull the show off of its spring schedule.
Here’s what we know about the show’s cancellation and the statement that Paul’s spokesperson released on her behalf.
Did ABC really cancel ‘The Bachelorette’?
Yes. Season 22 of the reality TV dating competition “The Bachelorette,” starring Taylor Frankie Paul, will no longer air, ABC said. The premiere was previously scheduled to air tonight, March 22, at 8 p.m. ET.
For those who still need their “Bachelor” fix, you can watch a few of the former seasons of “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” on Hulu and Disney+.
Watch former “Bachelor” seasons on Hulu
How to watch ‘The Bachelorette’ 2026
The season will not air. Normally, the show airs on ABC and Hulu.
Why is ‘The Bachelorette’ canceled?
The cancellation came roughly three days before the first episode of “The Bachelorette” was set to premiere, as police are reportedly investigating an alleged domestic incident involving Paul and her ex-boyfriend and father of her youngest child, Dakota Mortensen.
The Draper City Police Department in Northern Utah confirmed to PEOPLE on March 19 that there is an ongoing “domestic assault investigation” involving Paul and Mortensen, who have both reportedly accused each other of domestic violence. Law enforcement made contact with the parties on Feb. 24 and 25, the spokesperson told the outlet.
Adding to the online discourse, TMZ recently published footage from 2023, showing Paul throwing chairs at Mortensen, while her child was reportedly nearby. This sparked some fans on social media to call for the show’s cancellation.
A Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson later confirmed the cancellation to PEOPLE in a March 19 statement, saying that after “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.”
Has Taylor Frankie Paul addressed the ‘Bachelorette’ cancellation?
A spokesperson for Paul gave a statement to PEOPLE, saying, “Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security. 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.”
“There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives. Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation and public shaming. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story.”
Who was the ‘winner’ of the upcoming ‘Bachelorette’ season?
Steve Carbone, aka “Reality Steve,” is a reality TV and Bachelor Nation blogger known for leaking spoilers. Carbone posted the winner of Paul’s season just days before its cancellation.
Carbone revealed that Paul reportedly gave the final rose to 28-year-old lifeguard Doug Mason, and that the couple allegedly got engaged. However, Carbone reported the couple had since broken up because Paul never got over Mortensen.
“She is not with Doug anymore. Nor is she with Dakota. She just can’t seem to move on from him,” Carbone wrote.
Was there a Florida contestant on Taylor’s ‘Bachelorette’ season?
There is one person from Florida who appeared on season 22 of “The Bachelorette” — Kevin Montero, a 32-year-old physical therapist from Miami.
As of March 20, he has not publicly discussed the show’s cancellation on social media.
Could ‘The Bachelorette’ still air eventually?
It’s still possible that Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette” could air eventually, but not certain.
“ABC could lose tens of millions of dollars if the season never airs, including licensing fees paid to Warner Bros. Unscripted Television, marketing costs and lost advertising revenue. And while ABC made the call to pull the show, it doesn’t actually own it,” according to Variety and Parade.
“Insiders say Warner Bros. executives are currently taking a ‘wait-and-see’ approach, remaining in contact with ABC as both sides figure out next steps.”
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text “START” to 88788.
Samantha Neely and Lianna Norman are trending reporters for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, breaking news and more. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://palmbeachpost.com/newsletters.
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