In a dramatic turn of events, Disney has announced the cancellation of Taylor Frankie Paul's upcoming season of The Bachelorette, mere days before its scheduled premiere. The decision comes after a leaked video surfaced showing Paul violently attacking her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, triggering widespread backlash and renewed scrutiny of her domestic violence history.
Network Statement Cites Family Support
"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," Disney stated on Thursday. The network confirmed that the season, which wrapped filming in December and was fully edited, will not air as planned this Sunday.
Disturbing Video Footage Emerges
The leaked video, obtained by TMZ, shows Paul repeatedly attacking Mortensen during a 2023 incident. The footage depicts Paul kicking Mortensen, putting him in a headlock, and throwing multiple metal barstools at him while their young daughter cries in the background. "This is called physical abuse," Mortensen says in the video as he pushes her away. "See Taylor, this is all you do."
Mortensen can be heard yelling "your daughter is right here" during the altercation, while repeatedly accusing Paul of being drunk. The disturbing footage emerged just as Paul was preparing for her Bachelorette press tour, creating an immediate public relations crisis for Disney.
Paul's Legal History and Response
Paul, 31, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault in 2023 following this same altercation with Mortensen, which was chronicled on season one of the Hulu reality show The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. In August of that year, she pleaded guilty to a third-degree felony count of aggravated assault, while other charges of criminal mischief and domestic violence were dropped.
The reality star is currently serving three years' probation from that case, which is set to end in August. Any additional charge would violate her probation terms. Following the video leak, Paul's representatives released a statement to Variety criticizing Mortensen's actions: "It's sad to see the latest installment of his never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor without any regard for the consequences for their child."
Her representatives added: "Releasing an old video, which conveniently omits context, on their son's birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior. Thankfully, the public has seen this act before and knows who he is and sadly, many will recognize this pattern of manipulation."
Recent Investigation and Production Halts
The video leak comes amid an ongoing domestic violence investigation involving both Paul and Mortensen. News broke earlier this week that season five of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives had paused production due to an alleged domestic dispute between the couple that occurred on February 24 and 25.
Draper City police confirmed that allegations were made by both parties but no charges have been filed. Police declined to comment further to The Independent, citing the pending investigation. Despite the production halt on her other show, Paul continued with her planned Bachelorette press tour throughout the week, doubling down on blaming Mortensen for the investigation.
Paul's Public Statements
On Wednesday, just one day before the video leak and cancellation announcement, Paul addressed the backlash on Good Morning America: "It's supposed to be an exciting time. I'm a person that always speaks her truth, that's what I'm known for. When the time is right, I will be."
Paul was announced as the lead of The Bachelorette in September, marking the first time that a person outside of the franchise had been chosen for the role. She has yet to speak publicly about the season's cancellation.
Broader Context and Support Resources
The cancellation highlights ongoing concerns about domestic violence and accountability in reality television programming. The national domestic abuse helpline offers support for women on 0808 2000 247, or through the Refuge website. There is a dedicated men's advice line on 0808 8010 327. Those in the US can call the domestic violence hotline on 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org.
