Bachelorette's new season pulled after Taylor Frankie Paul abuse allegations

March 20, 2026

ABC has canceled the upcoming season of The Bachelorette after video footage surfaced showing the season's star, Taylor Frankie Paul, in a physical confrontation with her former partner Dakota Mortensen that occurred in 2023. Paul, a TikTok influencer and cast member of Hulu's Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, previously pleaded guilty to aggravated assault charges stemming from this incident. The cancellation came just days before the scheduled Sunday premiere, with Disney citing the newly released video as the reason for pulling the show.

Who is affected

Taylor Frankie Paul (The Bachelorette star and TikTok influencer)
Dakota Mortensen (Paul's ex-partner and father of her third child)
Their son
ABC network and Disney (parent company)
Cast members of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, including Mikayla Matthews
Viewers who anticipated the new season of The Bachelorette

What action is being taken

ABC has canceled the new season of The Bachelorette
Production has been paused for the fifth season of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
Dakota Mortensen is focusing on his son and the child's safety
Paul is preparing to share her story publicly

Why it matters

This cancellation represents a significant response by a major network to domestic violence allegations, demonstrating accountability standards for public figures and reality television stars. The decision impacts not only a highly anticipated television premiere but also reflects broader concerns about featuring individuals with documented histories of violence in entertainment programming. The incident highlights how past criminal conduct can have lasting professional consequences, particularly when visual evidence becomes public, and underscores the entertainment industry's increasing sensitivity to domestic violence issues.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC