ABC has pulled the upcoming 22nd season of The Bachelorette after leaked footage showed its star, Taylor Frankie Paul, physically assaulting her former partner. The decision comes just days before the season was scheduled to premiere on Sunday.
The 31-year-old TikTok influencer, known for appearing on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, was arrested in 2023 for domestic violence against ex Dakota Mortensen. She pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and is currently serving three years' probation. A new video leaked on Thursday shows Paul kicking Mortensen and throwing metal chairs, with her five-year-old daughter present. The child was reportedly struck by a chair.
Disney, which owns ABC, issued a statement saying: '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's team criticised Mortensen's 'never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor'.
An ongoing 'domestic assault investigation' is also under way regarding an incident in February this year, according to Draper City police in Utah. A spokesperson said 'allegations have been made in both directions'. Production on the latest season of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has also reportedly been paused.
This is not the first controversy for the franchise; last season's winner, Devin Strader, faced allegations of physical assault from a former girlfriend, which he denied. ABC has not announced whether the filmed season will air at a later date.
