‘Bachelorette’ Canceled: Taylor Frankie Paul Investigation & Season 22 Halt
The premiere of season 22 of “The Bachelorette” has been canceled just days before its scheduled debut, , following a police investigation involving lead Taylor Frankie Paul. The decision, announced by Disney, the network’s parent company, comes amid growing scrutiny surrounding allegations of domestic violence and the surfacing of a video appearing to show Paul in a physical altercation.
Disney addressed the cancellation in a statement obtained by TODAY.com, stating, “In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the recent season of ‘The Bachelorette’ at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family.”
The situation rapidly unfolded this week, beginning with reports that filming on the fifth season of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” a Hulu series starring Paul, had been halted due to the ongoing investigation. The Draper City Police Department confirmed to People that Paul and her ex-partner, Dakota Mortensen, who share a two-year-old child, are subjects of an open “domestic assault investigation.” According to police, “allegations have been made in both directions” and contact was made with involved parties on and .
Paul, known for her presence on #MomTok – a community of Utah mothers who gained viral attention through dance-based TikTok videos – publicly addressed the investigation during a press preview on . “Honestly, just like, my heart hurts to see it, to move through it, especially at this time,” she said. “Just the timing is hard, and it’s a big deal. I experience like every premiere that I’ve experienced, I’ve never enjoyed fully, so this is another one… It’s extremely hard, and it took everything to get me here today.”
The catalyst for the network’s swift decision was the resurfacing of a two-year-old video, published by TMZ on , reportedly depicting Paul physically attacking Mortensen in front of their child. Mortensen appears to be filming the incident.
Following the video’s release, Paul stated, “I will have my truth,” in a phone interview with NBC News. Her representative released a statement characterizing the video’s release as part of a “never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor without any regard for the consequences for their child.”
This isn’t Paul’s first encounter with the legal system related to incidents involving Mortensen. In , she was arrested after a fight with Mortensen, documented in the first episode of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.” She subsequently pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in August , with other charges – including assault, criminal mischief, and domestic violence in the presence of a child – being dropped, according to NBC affiliate KSL in Salt Lake City.
The fallout from the allegations extends beyond “The Bachelorette.” Cinnabon, which had announced a collaboration with the show, has terminated its partnership, stating that recent developments no longer align with the company’s brand values. “Cinnabon has made the decision to terminate its collaboration with ‘The Bachelorette’ and ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,’” the company said in a statement.
A spokesperson for Paul told NBC News that the reality star is “very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security.” The statement further detailed Paul’s experience, stating, “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 statement too highlighted the prevalence of silent suffering among individuals in abusive relationships and Paul’s determination to “own and share her story.”
Mortensen’s representative issued a statement emphasizing his priority: protecting their two-year-old son, Ever.
The cancellation of “The Bachelorette” season underscores the increasing pressure on networks and production companies to address allegations of abuse and misconduct swiftly and decisively. The situation highlights the complexities of reality television, where personal lives and public image are inextricably linked, and the potential consequences when those lines become blurred. The future of both “The Bachelorette” and “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” remains uncertain as the investigation continues and the legal proceedings unfold.