ABC has abruptly halted plans to air the upcoming season of The Bachelorette, just days before its scheduled premiere. Season 22, which was set to debut Sunday, will no longer move forward following recent developments involving its lead, Taylor Frankie Paul.
The decision came shortly after footage from a 2023 domestic violence incident surfaced publicly between Paul and her then-partner, Dakota Mortensen. The video, shared by TMZ, appears to show Paul throwing metal barstools at Mortensen, while her daughter (that she shares with her ex-husband) was present in the room. The incident aligns with details from a past domestic violence case in which Paul was arrested and faced misdemeanor charges, including assault and child abuse. Reports at the time indicated that a chair allegedly struck her daughter during the altercation.
In a statement released Thursday, a spokesperson for Disney Entertainment Television said, “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,” adding, “Our focus is on supporting the family.”
Authorities in Draper City, Utah, have also confirmed there is currently an active domestic assault investigation involving both Paul and Mortensen. Officials stated that “allegations have been made in both directions” and that they were in contact with both individuals in late February.
Paul, a social media personality known for her presence on TikTok and as a central figure in the Hulu reality series ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,’ had been preparing to lead the new season of the long-running dating show. Her personal life, including her relationship with Mortensen, has been featured on the reality series since its 2024 debut. The pair began dating in 2022 and share a young son together; and Paul is also the mother of two other children with her ex-husband. Paul and Mortensen separated in early 2025 after months of speculation, with Paul later opening up about the emotional toll of the breakup.
Production has also reportedly been paused on the next season of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives due to the current active domestic assault investigation. Meanwhile, representatives for Mortensen have stated that his primary concern is the well-being of their child and maintaining a healthy co-parenting relationship.
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