Taylor Frankie Paul Addresses Bachelorette Cancellation Amid Domestic Violence Allegations
Reality television personality Taylor Frankie Paul has broken her silence following the abrupt cancellation of her upcoming season of The Bachelorette. The decision by ABC came after video footage surfaced depicting Paul in a physical altercation with her ex-partner, Dakota Mortensen, in 2023. This recording later became a key piece of evidence in a case where Paul ultimately pleaded guilty to aggravated assault.
The emergence of the video, which was widely reported, followed news of another domestic assault investigation involving Paul and Mortensen. Authorities at the time indicated that “allegations have been made in both directions.” More recently, reports suggest that these latest domestic assault allegations could have significant legal ramifications for Paul concerning her 2023 case.
Paul’s Team Claims She Was the Victim of Alleged Abuse
A representative for the 31-year-old reality star has stated that Paul is “grateful” for the ongoing support from ABC. The focus, according to the representative, is on “prioritizing her family’s safety and security.”
In a statement released, Paul’s representative alleged that the reality star herself has been the victim. The statement claims Paul has been “silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation” for a considerable period. It further asserts that Paul is now “gaining the strength to face her accuser” and is taking steps to ensure her safety and that of her children from “further harm.” The representative added, “There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives.”
The statement suggested that Paul had remained silent previously “out of fear of further abuse, retaliation, and public shaming.” She is now reportedly “seeking support, going through her options and preparing to own and share her story.”
The recent domestic assault allegations have reportedly placed Paul in a precarious legal position regarding her 2023 case.
District Attorney Examines Impact of Fresh Assault Claims
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill has indicated that his office is investigating whether the new assault accusations may constitute a violation of Paul’s probation from her 2023 case.
“We have received the police report for the new allegations, and it is our understanding the case is being screened by the Draper City prosecutor,” Gill stated. “We requested the police report so our prosecutors could evaluate how those new allegations may affect the case for which the defendant is currently on probation.”
Meanwhile, Dakota Mortensen has issued a statement denying what he described as “baseless claims” made about him and their relationship. In his statement to The Daily Mail, he expressed his distress over the situation, noting, “As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation. I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny.” He concluded by stating, “I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same.”
Bachelorette Season Axed Following Resurfaced Assault Footage
The decision to cancel Paul’s highly anticipated season of The Bachelorette was made within hours of TMZ publishing the video of her apparent fight with ex-partner Dakota Mortensen in 2023. The footage shows Paul engaging in what appears to be a physical confrontation with Mortensen. As previously mentioned, this video became significant evidence in the 2023 case that led to Paul’s guilty plea for aggravated assault.
Paul’s season was slated to premiere on the upcoming Sunday. A spokesperson for Disney Entertainment confirmed the decision to TMZ, stating, “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.”
The circulated footage captures an outburst from Paul, during which she throws a stool at Mortensen. Notably, their daughter, Indy, who was eight years old at the time, was present during the incident. Mortensen, who was filming the altercation, can be heard in the clip stating, “This is called physical abuse.” The distressing audio also includes the sound of a child crying amidst the ongoing argument. Mortensen further states in the video, “Your daughter just got hit in the head by a metal chair.”
Paul and Mortensen also share a two-year-old son named Ever. Paul, a mother of three, was previously arrested following an alleged domestic violence incident in 2023, for which she pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in the third degree.
Responding to the resurfaced footage, Paul’s representative told the Daily Mail, “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. Releasing an old video, which conveniently omits context, on their son’s birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior.”
However, just two days prior to the video’s public release, Mortensen reportedly filed for a protective order in Utah. This filing cited a new alleged incident that purportedly occurred in February, according to reports. Mortensen claimed that a verbal argument escalated into a physical confrontation, during which Paul allegedly choked him. He stated that he had to physically remove her hands from his neck, after which she allegedly pushed him into a window and struck him. Describing the situation as “chaotic” and “frightening,” Mortensen reported that their son woke up due to the commotion, which included Paul screaming and yelling.
‘Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Filming Paused Amid Scandal
The ongoing scandal has also impacted Paul’s involvement in the reality series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Reports confirmed that filming for the show has been paused due to “serious” issues involving Paul.
The Draper City Police Department acknowledged an open “domestic assault investigation” involving both Paul and Mortensen. A department spokesperson stated, “Allegations have been made in both directions,” adding that contact was made with the involved parties on February 24th and 25th. A cast member from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has since confirmed that the cast collectively agreed to pause production in light of the escalating controversy.
Mikayla Matthews, a star of the series, addressed the production pause during an Instagram Q&A session. She explained that the decision was a unanimous one among the cast members, who “didn’t feel comfortable filming with everything that was happening,” referencing the legal troubles surrounding Paul.
The repercussions of these investigations have extended to the show’s brand partnerships. On March 17th, Cinnabon announced the termination of its collaboration with both Paul and The Bachelorette. Despite prior promotional activities for new products linked to the series, the company cited “recent developments and allegations surrounding the lead cast member” as the reason for reassessing the partnership, stating it “no longer aligns with our brand values.”
