In a significant move, ABC has decided to halt the upcoming season of its popular reality dating show, The Bachelorette, after shocking footage surfaced showing the show’s star, Taylor Frankie Paul, physically assaulting her ex-partner. This decision comes just days before the highly anticipated premiere of the 22nd season, originally set to air on Sunday.
Shocking Revelations Surface
Taylor Frankie Paul, who rose to fame on the reality series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, was at the heart of the controversy surrounding this season. The 31-year-old TikTok influencer has been under scrutiny since her arrest for domestic violence against ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen in 2023. The Draper City police department in Utah confirmed that an investigation into a separate incident from February is ongoing, with “allegations made in both directions” involving both Paul and Mortensen.
The situation escalated this week when newly released video footage showed Paul allegedly kicking Mortensen and hurling chairs at him while their five-year-old daughter was present. In a distressing moment captured on tape, Mortensen can be heard exclaiming, “Your daughter just got hit in the head by a metal chair!” as cries from the child echo in the background. According to an indictment obtained by People, Paul threw “heavy, metal chairs” during the altercation, leading to significant concern over the child’s wellbeing.
ABC’s Response and Changes Ahead
In light of these developments, ABC issued a statement confirming the suspension of the new season, 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.” This marks a dramatic shift for the network, which had initially appeared to support Paul, even as she withdrew from a scheduled appearance on The Tonight Show earlier this week.
Paul’s team has vehemently defended her, accusing Mortensen of engaging in a “never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor.” They characterised his actions as a “reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behaviour.”
Production Paused on Related Projects
The fallout from this incident extends beyond The Bachelorette. Reports indicate that production on the latest season of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has also been put on hold. Both shows fall under the Disney umbrella, raising questions about the network’s handling of sensitive issues surrounding domestic violence in its programming.
ABC faced criticism in the past for casting choices that raised concerns about the safety and backgrounds of participants. Last season, the show came under fire when it was revealed that the winner, Devin Strader, had a restraining order filed against him by a former girlfriend following allegations of physical assault. Strader contested the claims, asserting that the allegations were “simply not true” and that the restraining order was never granted.
As for the future of The Bachelorette, ABC has yet to announce whether the completed 22nd season will eventually air.
Why it Matters
The suspension of The Bachelorette underscores a growing awareness and accountability within the entertainment industry regarding domestic violence and the impact of such incidents on families, especially children. With public scrutiny intensifying, networks are now more compelled to consider the ethical implications of their programming choices. This situation not only affects the lives of those directly involved but also sends a resonant message about the seriousness of domestic violence and the need for responsible storytelling in reality television.
