‘The Bachelorette’ Season Featuring Taylor Frankie Paul Axed Amidst Domestic Assault Allegations
The highly anticipated new season of The Bachelorette, set to star Taylor Frankie Paul, has been abruptly cancelled by ABC. The decision, confirmed by a spokesperson on Thursday, March 19, comes just days before the premiere was scheduled for Sunday, March 22. This move follows the surfacing of disturbing footage depicting domestic violence.
“In light of the newly released video that 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,” an ABC representative stated.
Disturbing Footage Emerges
The abrupt halt to the show’s upcoming season was triggered by resurfaced footage from 2023. In the video, Taylor Frankie Paul, who gained initial fame from Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, is seen throwing chairs at her ex-partner, Dakota Mortensen, while their 8-year-old daughter, Indy, is present.
Mortensen, narrating the clip, identifies the actions as “physical abuse,” directly addressing Paul and stating, “This is all you do. The only thing you know how to do is hurt me. You think this is okay? It’s not okay.” The footage captures Paul’s defiant response, “I don’t give a f—,” before she continues to physically assault him.
Escalating Violence and Child Endangerment
The video continues to depict a volatile scene. Mortensen can be heard pleading, “Let me go! Stop! Dude, leave me alone…” as Paul hurls chairs at him. He urgently reminds her of their daughter’s presence, “Your daughter is right here.” The young child’s screams for her “mommy” are audible in the background. Paul then aggressively tells Mortensen to “get the f— out.”
Mortensen, seemingly concerned for his daughter, states in the footage, “Your daughter just got hit in the head with a metal chair… go and help your daughter now.” Paul retorts by screaming at him to “get away” from her child. Mortensen expresses his love for Paul’s children, saying, “Think of your kids… I love your kids. I freaking love them to death.”
Taylor Frankie Paul is a mother to Indy and Ocean, whom she shares with her ex-husband, Tate. She and Dakota Mortensen also share a son, Ever, born in March 2024.
Past Legal Troubles and Reponse
This is not the first time Paul has faced legal scrutiny for domestic violence. In August 2023, she pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and was subsequently placed on a three-year probation. Charges of child abuse and domestic violence that were initially filed against her were later dismissed.
A representative for Paul issued a statement in response to the resurfaced footage, criticising 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,” the rep stated. “Releasing an old and selectively edited video on their son’s birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior.”
Paul’s Stance on Recent Investigations
In addition to the resurfaced footage, new domestic violence claims have recently emerged concerning an incident that occurred earlier this year. Taylor Frankie Paul addressed these investigations during a recent appearance on Good Morning America.
“Honestly, it’s been a heavy time to see the headlines, especially during this time of The Bachelorette being released, and it’s supposed to be a really exciting time,” Paul shared with the morning show hosts. She reiterated her commitment to transparency, stating, “I’m a person who will always speak my truth, and that’s what I’m known for. And, so, when the time is right, I will be. But right now, just trying to be in the present moment and focus on this.”
The cancellation of her season marks a significant turn of events for Paul, whose reality television career has been overshadowed by these serious allegations. The focus now shifts to the ongoing investigations and the well-being of the children involved.
