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
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
Netflix's New Dating Show 'Age of Attraction' Premieres March 11 Netflix’s latest dating series, Age of Attraction, debuts on Wednesday, March 11, with its first five episodes available for streaming on the platform. The show features 40 singles aged 22 to 60, including professionals from diverse fields such as MMA fighting, specialty car scouting, massage therapy, and entrepreneurship. The series explores the dynamics of dating without revealing participants’ ages, challenging viewers to consider how age might influence relationships. The premiere episode will be followed by a structured release schedule, with episodes 6–8 dropping on March 18 and episode 9 airing on March 25. Viewers must have a paid Netflix subscription to access the series, with subscription tiers ranging from $7.99 to $24.99 per month, depending on ad preferences and resolution quality. The cast of Season 1 includes a mix of women and men, with notable participants such as Vickie, a dermatology pharmaceutical representative from Nashville; Vanessa, a salon owner in Canton, Ohio; and David E., a broadcast analyst and MMA fighter from Wentzville, Missouri. Other participants include a variety of professionals, such as a luxury swimwear brand founder from New York, a real estate investor from Atlanta, and a specialty car scout from Amelia Island, Florida. The show is hosted by a duo with prior television experience. One host, previously known as Viall, appeared on The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise before their 2024 marriage. The other host has also been a contestant on The Bachelor series, adding a layer of familiarity with the dating show format. The series aims to spark conversation about age transparency in relationships, offering a unique twist on the traditional dating show genre.#netflix #the_bachelorette #age_of_attraction #viall #the_bachelor
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Season 4 Returns with New Challenges The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is set to return for its fourth season, with the premiere scheduled for Thursday, March 12, at 3 a.m. ET / midnight PT. The series will be available on Hulu and Disney+ starting that day, with all episodes dropping simultaneously. Fans can expect a fresh batch of drama as the cast navigates the pressures of their growing fame and the complexities of their personal lives. For those looking to watch the season without a subscription, a limited-time offer provides access to both Disney+ and Hulu for $4.99 per month for the first three months, significantly lower than the usual $12.99 rate. This bundle allows viewers to enjoy the series without paying the standard subscription fees. The deal is set to expire after the initial three-month period, so interested viewers are encouraged to act quickly. Season 4 promises to escalate the tensions among the cast as they face external pressures and internal conflicts. Taylor Frankie Paul, a central figure in the series, has been announced as the new lead for “The Bachelorette,” while Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt are set to join “Dancing With the Stars.” These high-profile opportunities have introduced new dynamics within the group, creating both competition and strain as they balance their careers with their relationships. The season’s ten episodes will delve into a range of personal struggles, including marital issues, unresolved conflicts, and long-buried secrets. Storylines will include a return to “Vanderpump Villa,” cross-country adventures, unexpected visitors, and major revelations that could potentially fracture the group.#whitney_leavitt #jen_affleck #the_secret_lives_of_mormon_wives #taylor_franks_paul #the_bachelorette
