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
