Australian social media influencer Tammy Hembrow has publicly expressed her support for Taylor Frankie Paul, the reality television star embroiled in a domestic violence scandal that led to the abrupt cancellation of her upcoming season of The Bachelorette US. This show of solidarity comes despite Hembrow's own past denouncements of violent behaviour, creating a complex narrative around celebrity endorsements in times of controversy.
Public Backing Amid Personal Turmoil
In a vulnerable Instagram post shared on Sunday, Taylor Frankie Paul described the previous forty days of her life as "hell on earth," confirming she was relying heavily on her religious faith during this exceptionally difficult period. The mother of three later clarified in an Instagram Story that while she was "born and raised Mormon (LDS)" and maintains "love and respect" for the church, she felt it necessary to "detach" herself from it at this juncture.
Tammy Hembrow, an Australian influencer familiar with public scrutiny regarding her personal relationships, commented directly on Paul's initial post with the message: "Sending so much love mama." This supportive comment has garnered over eight hundred likes, indicating significant engagement from followers. However, Hembrow has simultaneously faced backlash from critics questioning her decision to support an individual accused of domestic violence, highlighting the divisive nature of the situation.
Hembrow's Previous Stance on Violence
This public endorsement appears somewhat contradictory given Hembrow's previous statements. In a TikTok video posted last May, she explicitly denounced "violence in any form" following the incarceration of her half-brother, Henri Thynne, who faced seventeen charges related to domestic violence offences. In that video, Hembrow firmly clarified she had no involvement in her brother's legal issues, stating, "I'm not involved in any of the legal situation. I've no contact with my brother. I haven't seen my brother. I'm just... I'm not involved at all, in no way."
She further emphasised, "Another thing I wanted to make clear is that I don't condone violence in any form. I don't condone abusive behaviour. I just, I don't think it's okay, period." This makes her current support for Paul a subject of intense public debate and scrutiny.
The Scandal That Canceled The Bachelorette
The controversy stems from a video published by TMZ on March 19, which showed Taylor Frankie Paul allegedly attacking her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, aged thirty-three, with her minor daughter present during the incident. This jarring footage prompted The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) to cancel Paul's season of The Bachelorette US just prior to its scheduled premiere, although she was reportedly paid in full for her participation.
Disney Entertainment Television released a statement at the time explaining, "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, and our focus is on supporting the family." Paul, who gained fame through TikTok and the series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives before being selected for The Bachelorette, is mother to three children: daughter Indy, eight, and son Ocean, five, with ex-husband Tate Paul; and son Ever, two, with ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.
Legal Proceedings and Denials
Taylor Frankie Paul is scheduled to attend a court hearing on Tuesday focused on her custodial rights to her son, Ever. This follows Dakota Mortensen obtaining a temporary protective order late last month, amid allegations from February that Paul choked him, as reported by TMZ citing court documents. Paul has consistently denied all allegations made against her.
In related developments, body camera footage from Paul's 2023 arrest, published by TMZ on March 23, showed Mortensen attempting to persuade police officers to take him to jail instead of her. During the clip, Paul and Mortensen were heard arguing as police arrived, with Paul becoming aggressive and emotional. Mortensen told officers Paul was "not doing OK" and displayed injuries he claimed were inflicted by her, stating, "I can't even tell you the stuff that's happened to me." After Paul's arrest, Mortensen asked if he could be jailed in her place, expressing a desire for her "to get help."
Legal Resolution and Ongoing Probation
In August 2023, Taylor Frankie Paul entered a guilty plea to aggravated assault in the third degree in connection with the February 2023 incident. As part of the plea deal, four other charges were dropped. She has been on probation since that time, with her probation period scheduled to conclude in August 2026. This legal resolution adds another layer to the ongoing public and media narrative surrounding her actions and the subsequent fallout.
The situation continues to evolve, with Tammy Hembrow's public support serving as a focal point for discussions about loyalty, accountability, and the complexities of standing by individuals facing serious allegations in the public eye.
