ABC is expected to lose tens of millions after canceling Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette.”
Amid an ongoing police investigation involving the Utah-based reality star, the network announced Thursday that it would not air the show.
About a week before the new season was set to premiere, reports emerged that Paul was involved in an alleged domestic abuse incident with her 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.”
How much is ABC losing in this cancellation?
Canceling Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette” will cost ABC tens of millions in production expenses and millions more in potential revenue.
Each episode of the series costs an estimated $2 million to produce, and a typical season of “The Bachelorette” runs nine to 13 episodes. At that rate, the network is projected to lose between $18 million and $26 million in production costs.
“They have already lost a lot of money,” a source exclusively told Us Weekly. “They face losing $40 to $50 million now that they’ve canceled.”
“ABC is livid over the situation,” the source continued. “Taylor (Frankie Paul) had a breach of contract, and they are internally investigating.”
Much of the advertising revenue ABC expected to earn while the highly anticipated season aired is also at risk. The franchise’s 2024 spinoff “The Golden Bachelorette” charged $86,955 for a 30-second spot during its first season, AdAge reported. With roughly a half-hour of ads per episode, the network stood to make millions per installment.
ABC could lose additional revenue from trade-out deals made with airlines, hotels, restaurants and other brands that paid for exposure on the show.
The series also has an official weekly podcast, “Bachelor Happy Hour,” produced with Warner Bros. Unscripted Television, which could also be affected by the cancellation.
How much do contestants lose?
Contestants on “The Bachelorette” are not financially compensated for their time on the show. Participating often comes with significant personal costs, especially since many take time off work or quit their jobs to film the show.
Paul’s now-canceled season included three Utah-based men — Aaron, Josh and Lew — who won’t make their debut and will miss out on prime-time exposure.
Contestants are also responsible for providing their own clothing, which can be expensive since many buy a new wardrobe for the series.
Male contestants spend anywhere from $300 to $5,300 to appear on “The Bachelorette,” according to Business Insider.
A contestant from Taylor Frankie Paul’s canceled season anonymously told E! News, “We all gave up so much to go do this. We all came in with open hearts. We treated her kindly and respectfully and gave her a second chance.”
“(We) tried to let her turn over a new leaf and we all believed her when she said she did,” he continued. “Obviously, the way she acted and the way she treated all of us in hindsight is just a waste of time, a waste of energy, a waste of emotional intelligence.”
“At the end of the day I pray that she gets help,” he concluded. “I hope she gets the help that she needs.”
Another contestant from the season, Johnnie LaRossa, wrote, “Grateful for the experience. And I’ve gotta say the group of guys were truly unbelievable. Nothing but respect for them,” per Today. “Any woman would be lucky to have each and every one of them.”
Will contestants get a shot at the next season?
ABC has not announced whether the canceled season’s winner — whom Paul briefly hinted at — or contestants will earn a second shot in a future season of the series or a spinoff series such as “Bachelor in Paradise.”
Will ‘The Bachelorette’ take a step back?
The most recent season of “The Bachelorette,” which aired in 2024 and starred Jenn Tran, came to a controversial conclusion.
After a tumultuous season finale, Bachelor Nation fans launched a petition calling on ABC to apologize to Tran and fire producers of the series.
Months later, scrutiny of the franchise intensified when a third man from the “Bachelor” franchise was named in a request for a temporary restraining order before his appearance on the first season of the “Golden Bachelorette.”
During the prior month, reports emerged that two men from the franchise — including the winner of Tran’s season — had previously received temporary restraining orders.
Following a wave of public backlash, “The Bachelorette” paused for a year before resuming production with Utah reality star Paul as the lead.
Paul was charged with aggravated assault and two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child in 2023, before she was cast as the show’s lead.
All “Bachelor” franchise stars and contestants must go through a several-step process which involves background checks, in-person interviews and examinations, per the franchise’s official eligibility requirements.
If an applicant is selected to star in a “Bachelor” program, they must undergo a second round of vetting, which includes an interview with producers in Los Angeles, where they also must “undergo physical, medical and psychological examinations and testing,” per the eligibility requirements.
Also part of the vetting process, producers reach out to third-parties connected to the applicant such as family, friends and former significant others.
In a television era with dozens of reality dating shows — “Love Island,” “Love is Blind,” “Age of Attraction,” “90 Day Fiancé” — “The Bachelor” franchise faces little margin for error due to fierce competition.
ABC has not formally announced any future seasons of “The Bachelorette” or “The Bachelor.”