ABC will air a rerun of American Idol Sunday night instead of The Bachelorette season premiere, which was canceled entirely after a violent video of its star, Taylor Frankie Paul, leaked online.
The 2023 footage, in which Paul was seen throwing metal barstools at her ex, Dakota Mortensen, was shared by TMZ Thursday, only days before The Bachelorette was set to air. ABC then announced that it would not air the new season, which wrapped filming in December, as planned.
The first episode, which usually sees 22 men arrive at the “Bachelor Mansion” to meet the Bachelorette, was scheduled for Sunday from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on ABC. However, the network has revealed its replacement for The Bachelorette: A recent episode of American Idol.
The network will re-broadcast the eighth episode of American Idol’s 24th season, which originally aired Monday, March 16. The episode also featured Keke Palmer and Brad Paisley as guest mentors.
However, it’s not yet clear what will be replacing future episodes of The Bachelorette in its Sunday slot.
ABC issued a statement Thursday to confirm that it would not be airing The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star’s season of The Bachelorette.
“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,” Disney said.
The news comes days after fresh domestic violence allegations against Paul, 31, triggered widespread backlash. Paul and Mortensen — who is the father of her youngest child — were previously involved in a domestic violence incident in 2023.
Video of the 2023 incident was leaked Thursday to TMZ, showing Paul repeatedly attacking Mortensen, kicking him and putting him in a headlock. Mortensen yelled that her daughter was “right there,” while Paul threw multiple metal barstools at him.
After the disturbing footage came to light, Paul released a statement through her representatives to Variety: “It’s sad to see the latest installment of his never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor without any regard for the consequences for their child. Releasing an old video, which conveniently omits context, on their son’s birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior.”
Paul’s representatives later released another statement addressing the cancellation of The Bachelorette.
“Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security. After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm,” her spokesperson said.
Mortensen later responded with a statement of his own, denying Paul’s allegations. “As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation,” he told Entertainment Weekly. “I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny. I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same.”
Paul was arrested and charged with aggravated assault in 2023 following an altercation with Mortensen. Their volatile romance was chronicled on season one of SLOMW, the Hulu reality show that catapulted the mom-of-three to stardom.
In August of that year, she pleaded guilty to a third-degree felony count of aggravated assault; the other charges of criminal mischief and domestic violence against her were dropped. Paul is serving three years’ probation from that case. Another charge would violate her probation, which is set to end in August.
The national domestic abuse helpline offers support for women on 0808 2000 247, or you can visit the Refuge website. There is a dedicated men's advice line on 0808 8010 327. Those in the US can call the domestic violence hotline on 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org
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