ABC has canceled Taylor Frankie Paul’s upcoming season of “The Bachelorette” amid an ongoing police investigation involving the Utah-based reality star.
The network announced on Thursday it would not air the show, just three days before its scheduled premiere, following an alleged domestic abuse incident involving Paul’s former boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen — years after Paul pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in a separate case.
On Thursday, TMZ published leaked footage of a physical altercation from 2023 in which Paul is seen kicking Mortensen and throwing metal barstools at him.
“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,” a Disney spokesperson said.
In a statement obtained by People magazine, a spokesperson for Paul said, “Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security. After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm.”
“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 continues. “Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation and public shaming. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story.”
Paul built a career as a leading influencer in the viral #MomTok community on TikTok, a group of Utah women who share clips of their lives online.
She has also starred in four seasons of the Hulu reality show “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” filmed in Utah, which has chronicled her on-again, off-again relationship with Mortensen.
The ongoing investigation has put filming for the fifth season of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” on hold and it will remain paused for the foreseeable future.
“It’s been a heavy time to see the headlines,” Paul said on “Good Morning America” on Wednesday.
“I’m a person that will always speak my truth. That’s what I’m known for. So when the time is right, I will be,” she added. “But right now (I’m) just trying to be in the present moment ... but the thing is my kids do come first.”
A spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department confirmed to People that there is an open “domestic assault investigation” involving Paul and Mortensen, and that “allegations have been made in both directions.” The police spokesperson also said that “contact was made with involved parties on (Feb.) 24th and 25th.”
In response to questions about the investigation, the police told ABC News, ”The Draper Police Department respects the rights and privacy of all citizens. Without an immediate impact to public safety, it is the practice of the department not to release details related to active investigations."
On Thursday, Mortensen, Paul’s ex-boyfriend who is also involved in the domestic abuse allegations, filed for a protective order against Paul, per People.
A representative for Mortensen responded to reports of the ongoing investigation on Wednesday.
“His No. 1 priority here is protecting (their 2-year-old son), Ever,” his representative shared in a statement to Entertainment Weekly. “He knew there was a possibility it could come out, but he was not going to be the one to proactively do that because he has always wanted a decent relationship with Taylor. It’s been really hard to achieve that, but he wants to co-parent well.”
Paul was charged in 2023 with aggravated assault and two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child.
In February 2023, Herriman, Utah, police responded to a call to Paul’s home on a report of domestic violence. According to charging documents, Paul and her then-boyfriend, Mortensen, were arguing when she threw her phone, a wooden play set and metal barstools at him.
One of the barstools she threw created a hole in the wall and another struck her 5-year-old daughter, who was seated next to Mortensen on the couch.
Paul pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in exchange for the dismissal of her domestic violence charges.