Taylor Frankie Paul’s appearance on The Bachelorette will not air after a violent video of her 2023 assault involving her ex, Dakota Mortensen, was leaked just days before the season was slated to premiere.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star’s season of the ABC dating show, which wrapped filming in December, was ready to debut Sunday, but the network announced Thursday that it will no longer move forward as planned.
“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 in a statement.
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.
“This is called physical abuse,” Mortensen said in the video as he pushed her away.
She then threw multiple metal barstools at him while her daughter, who was present in the room, began to cry.
“Your daughter is right here,” Mortensen yelled before Paul went on to throw two more stools. Mortensen then repeatedly accused Paul of being drunk.
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. 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,” her representatives said.
Paul’s representatives then 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,” the statement from her spokesperson read, per Variety. “There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives.
“Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation, and public shaming. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story.”
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 that 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.
News broke earlier this week that season five of SLOMW had paused production due to an alleged domestic dispute between Paul and Mortensen that happened February 24 and February 25 of this year. Draper City police said that allegations were made by both Paul and Mortensen and that no charges had been filed. Police refused to comment further to The Independent on the incident, citing the pending investigation.
Despite speculation over SLOMW’s hiatus from filming, Paul continued on her planned Bachelorette press tour throughout the week and doubled down on blaming Mortensen for the investigation.
Speaking about the backlash Wednesday on Good Morning America, Paul said, “It’s supposed to be an exciting time. I’m a person that always speaks her truth, that’s what I’m known for. When the time is right, I will be.”
Paul was announced as the lead of The Bachelorette in September, marking the first time that a person outside of the franchise had been chosen for the role.
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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