Taylor Frankie Paul poses on the red carpet during the Oscars arrivals at the 98th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 15, 2026. REUTERS/Daniel Cole
(Los Angeles, California) – ABC has abruptly canceled the upcoming season of The Bachelorette just three days before its scheduled premiere, following the release of a resurfaced video involving its lead, Taylor Frankie Paul.
The network confirmed Thursday that it will not move forward with Season 22, which had been set to debut on Sunday, March 22. In a statement, a Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson said the decision came “in light of the newly released video,” adding that the network’s focus is now “on supporting the family.”
The controversy stems from footage published by TMZ earlier in the day, reportedly showing a 2023 altercation between Paul and her then-partner, Dakota Mortensen. In the video, Paul is seen throwing objects during an argument while a child is present in the room.
The resurfaced footage aligns with a previously reported 2023 incident in which Paul was arrested and faced misdemeanor charges including assault and domestic violence in the presence of a child. Those charges were later dropped, and Paul has denied intentionally harming her children, calling the situation one of the most difficult periods of her life.
The fallout has extended beyond The Bachelorette. Production on Paul’s other reality series, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, has also reportedly been paused amid the controversy.
Authorities in Utah have confirmed that there is an active domestic assault investigation involving both Paul and Mortensen, with officials noting that allegations have been made by both parties. Mortensen’s representatives say his priority remains protecting their young son, while Paul’s team has accused him of attempting to damage her reputation by releasing past footage.
The situation has sparked widespread debate online, particularly given the timing of the video’s release just days before the show’s premiere. ABC has not indicated whether the season could be rescheduled or reworked at a later date.
The investigation remains ongoing.
