Why ABC Cancelled Taylor Frankie Paul’s Season of The Bachelorette
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The Cancellation of The Bachelorette Season 22
In a significant programming shift, Disney and ABC have officially cancelled the upcoming 22nd season of The Bachelorette, which was slated to feature The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Taylor Frankie Paul. The decision, announced just days before the scheduled March 22 premiere, follows the emergence of a disturbing video depicting a physical altercation between Paul and her ex-partner, Dakota Mortensen.
The network’s decision to pull the season from its schedule reflects a broader industry trend of prioritizing corporate responsibility and public safety in the wake of controversial behavior by reality television leads. A spokesperson for Disney confirmed the cancellation, stating, “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.”
Context Behind the Decision
The controversy stems from a 2023 video that surfaced on March 19, 2026, showing a volatile confrontation between Paul and Mortensen. In the footage, Paul is seen throwing furniture during a dispute, with reports indicating that a child was present during the incident. This event is not an isolated occurrence; it follows a 2023 legal case in which Paul was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, domestic violence in the presence of a child, and child abuse with injury. She ultimately entered a plea deal, resulting in a conviction for aggravated assault while other charges were dismissed.
The cancellation of her Bachelorette season coincides with a broader pause in production for her Hulu series, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Reports suggest that the fifth season of the show has halted filming as the production team navigates the fallout of the domestic violence investigation.
The Future of the Franchise
Industry insiders have expressed surprise at the move, noting the significant financial investment already poured into the production of the season. One source previously told The U.S. Sun that shelving the project would result in the loss of millions of dollars, as the network lacked a viable backup plan for the lead role. Despite these financial implications, the network appears to have determined that the reputational risk and ethical concerns outweighed the sunk costs of production.
It remains unclear whether the footage will ever be released or if the season will be re-edited or scrapped entirely. For now, the network has made it clear that the project is not moving forward. As for The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, reports regarding the cast’s reaction to the situation remain mixed, with some sources suggesting internal friction among the cast members regarding their association with Paul, while others maintain that professional relationships remain intact.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
