ABC has canceled the upcoming season of “The Bachelorette” featuring Taylor Frankie Paul, days before its scheduled premiere, following the release of a video appearing to show Paul physically assaulting her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen. The decision, confirmed by a Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson, comes as Paul and Mortensen are reportedly subjects of an ongoing domestic violence investigation.
The video, initially published by TMZ on Thursday and confirmed by the Draper City Police Department, depicts an incident from 2023 in which Paul is seen attacking Mortensen in front of their daughter, Indy. The footage shows Paul throwing chairs at Mortensen, with one chair appearing to strike the child, causing her to cry. Mortensen is heard saying, “Your daughter just got hit in the head by a metal chair,” and later, “I’m sorry, Indy.” Paul repeatedly shouts, “Here’s your fault, Dakota.”
In a statement released through her representative, Paul acknowledged the situation, stating she has been “silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation” and 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 representative characterized the release of the video as a “reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior” and part of a “never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign.”
Mortensen, through his attorney, filed for a protective order against Paul on Thursday. The initial filing was returned by the Salt Lake County District Court due to incompleteness, and an amended petition has been requested.
The cancellation of “The Bachelorette” season represents a significant disruption for ABC, and a “big headache” for the modern Disney chairman, according to industry reports. Paul gained prominence through the online “MomTok” subculture, which led to the launch of the Hulu series “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” in 2024. Filming of that series has also reportedly been halted in connection with the investigation.
Local law enforcement confirmed to PEOPLE on March 16 that they were investigating an alleged domestic assault involving Paul and Mortensen. The investigation remains open, with authorities declining to provide further details.
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