Bachelorette's New Season Cancelled Following Domestic Violence Allegations Against Star The new season of The Bachelorette has been cancelled following domestic violence allegations against this season’s star, ABC has confirmed. The network stated it “made the decision to not move forward with the new season” after video footage surfaced on Thursday showing Taylor Frankie Paul in an altercation with her ex-partner, Dakota Mortensen, in 2023. Paul, a TikTok influencer and star of Hulu’s Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, was arrested in connection with the incident and later pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, according to court records. Paul’s spokesperson said she is focusing on her family’s safety and “preparing to own and share her story.” Mortensen, the father of Paul’s third child, expressed his commitment to his son’s well-being, stating he is “focusing on our son and his safety.” Mortensen’s attorney had filed a protective order request against Paul on Thursday, but the request was rejected due to incomplete documentation, per records from Salt Lake County District Court. The BBC has reached out to Paul for a response. The new season of The Bachelorette was set to premiere on Sunday, but ABC did not specify what programming would replace the show during its scheduled timeslot. Before the cancellation was announced, Paul appeared on Good Morning America to promote the series, where she addressed the allegations. “Honestly, it’s been a heavy time to see the headlines, especially during this time of The Bachelorette being released,” she said. “It was supposed to be a really exciting time.” Paul also confirmed that production for the upcoming fifth season of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has been paused.#secret_lives_of_mormon_wives #taylor_franks_paul #the_bachelorette #dakota_mortensen #salt_lake_county_district_court
Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen's altercation escalated into a violent confrontation, leading to legal consequences and a production halt on their reality TV show. The incident began when Taylor, during an argument, grabbed a metal barstool and hurled it at Dakota. She reportedly screamed, "your daughter is sitting right there," but continued to throw two more stools at him. At that moment, the child, who had been curled up on the couch, began crying. A police report stated the 5-year-old girl was hit during the altercation and later sustained a "goose egg on her head." Taylor eventually pleaded guilty to a felony charge and was placed on three years' probation, which concludes in August. If she remains compliant, the conviction will not appear on her record. Prosecutors also dropped four other charges, including domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse, and criminal mischief. TMZ broke the story, revealing ongoing allegations of violence between Taylor and Dakota. The Utah Division of Children and Family Services is investigating, and both parties have been ordered to undergo psychological evaluations. A representative for Taylor added, "Thankfully, the public has seen this act before and knows who he is and sadly, many will recognize this pattern of manipulation, both in his actions on the show and from their own experiences." Filming on Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has been suspended, following other cast members' refusal to film due to the drama. Taylor was set to star in The Bachelorette, which was scheduled to premiere on ABC, but the network canceled the entire season after the incident. Attempts to contact Dakota and ABC for comment have not yet yielded responses.#secret_lives_of_mormon_wives #the_bachelorette #dakota_mortensen #taylor_franks #utah_division_of_children_and_family_services
Taylor Frankie Paul Cast as Next Bachelorette Amid Legal Controversy Taylor Frankie Paul, known for her role in the Hulu series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, has been announced as the next star of The Bachelorette, set to premiere on March 22. The casting has sparked questions about how the network, ABC, chose to feature Paul despite her legal troubles, including recent allegations of domestic assault. A spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department confirmed an investigation into claims of domestic violence between Paul and her former partner, Dakota Mortensen, though no charges had been filed by March 18. Paul addressed the allegations in an interview with People magazine, calling them “heavy” and “unfortunate,” but she did not confirm or deny the claims. This is not the first time Paul has faced legal issues. In February 2023, she was charged with assault, domestic violence, child abuse, and criminal mischief in connection with an incident involving Mortensen. According to Salt Lake County court records, Paul entered a plea in abeyance for the felony assault charge, which could be dismissed if she adheres to certain conditions. The other charges were dismissed with prejudice. Experts suggest ABC’s decision to cast Paul may have been driven by her ability to attract a broader audience. Steven Granelli, a pop culture expert at Northeastern University, noted that her connection to Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and her “penchant for scandal” likely made her an appealing choice. “You already have the audience that follows The Bachelor/Bachelorette regardless of who is cast,” Granelli said. “Now you have the additional audience hoping for a continuation of storylines from Secret Lives.” However, the allegations have already impacted her career.#abc #secret_lives_of_mormon_wives #taylor_franks_paul #dakota_mortensen #draper_city_police_department
Fans are demanding ABC cancel season 22 of The Bachelorette featuring Taylor Frankie Paul after disturbing footage from a 2023 domestic violence incident resurfaced online. The controversy has sparked a petition urging the network to remove her from the show, with supporters arguing that her involvement sends a "dangerous message" and fails to uphold societal values of respect and justice. The incident in question involved Taylor, 31, and her ex-partner Dakota Mortensen. According to the footage, Taylor began throwing metal stools at Mortensen during an altercation, and one of the stools struck their daughter, whom she shares with Mortensen. The child is heard crying and pleading for her mother before the confrontation escalated. Taylor was arrested in 2023 and charged with assault, criminal mischief, and domestic violence in the presence of a child, as stated by the Herriman City Police Department. In August 2023, Taylor entered a plea in abeyance for a third-degree felony aggravated assault charge. The agreement allowed the charge to be reduced to a Class A misdemeanor if she met specific conditions over three years. Court records obtained by People reveal that she is prohibited from using alcohol or illegal drugs during her probation. Four other charges were dismissed with prejudice. The controversy has also impacted Taylor’s other projects. Filming on season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives was halted after an investigation involving both Taylor and Mortensen was initiated, according to the Draper City Police. On March 19, TMZ reported that ABC had officially canceled Paul’s season of The Bachelorette.#taylor_franks_paul #the_bachelorette #dakota_mortensen #herriman_city_police_department #draper_city_police
The New Season of ‘The Bachelorette’ Is a Mess Before It’s Even Begun The cast of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has been scrambling to get Taylor Frankie Paul to the Bachelorette set, treating her relocation as a high-stakes mission. The woman, already a central figure in the show’s social circle, is being pressured to fly from Salt Lake City to the Bachelor mansion, where she’ll date 22 men as the lead of Season 22 of The Bachelorette. The group’s urgency stems from concerns about her mental health, their own careers, and the well-being of their friend group. But the effort to get her to the mansion may be a futile attempt to prevent her from being “mentally and spiritually consumed” by Dakota Mortensen, a man described as a “Cabelas-forged demon” and the father of her youngest child. The situation has already spiraled into chaos, with reports of a domestic violence incident between Taylor and Dakota following her Bachelorette season. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives series, which films year-round and produces two seasons annually, has become a cultural phenomenon, blending the lives of Mormon women with the realities of influencer culture. When the show premiered in 2024, it disrupted the typical reality TV narrative by focusing on women who were already established on social media. Their brand deals, while modest in Season 1, became a significant part of their appeal. However, the most compelling aspect of the show was the women’s backgrounds: they were raised in the LDS church, expected to meet traditional marital and maternal roles at a young age, yet had become the primary breadwinners in their households through their online presence.#secret_lives_of_mormon_wives #taylor_franks_paul #the_bachelorette #dakota_mortensen #mormon_wives_cast
