ABC just canceled season 22 of The Bachelorette right before its season premier on March 22. This decision was made as the following of a surfacing 2023 video showing a domestic dispute involving the new lead for upcoming season, Taylor Frankie Paul.
Paul is mainly known from the reality television series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Paul expressed her desire to join the long-running ABC show in a playful TikTok she posted. This reached many fans and the producers of the show. They casted her as a way to reinvigorate The Bachelor franchise. However, on March 19 footage released by TMZ of Paul and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortenson, changed everything. The video recorded by Mortenson shows Paul yelling at him, putting him in a headlock, and throwing metal barstools at him, while her child was present. Even though TMZ obtained the video, reports indicate that the Herriman Police Department did not officially release it until TMZ published it. It’s not confirmed who exactly sent the footage to TMZ, but it was reportedly part of a “destructive campaign” to hurt Paul, according to a spokesperson for her.
In February of 2023, Paul was arrested following the domestic violence incident. She was charged with felony aggravated assault, among other charges. In August of 2023, she pleaded guilty to a felony count of aggravated assault as part of a plea deal, which allowed the charge to be reduced to a misdemeanor if she completes three years of probation. Paul has been candid about this incident, often discussing it publicly and on social media. As of March 2026, Paul is under investigation for a third alleged domestic violence. The 2026 investigations are ongoing, and Mortenson has filed for a protective order and temporary custody of their child.
After the video spread, Disney addressed its decision. “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,” a Disney spokesperson said.
Following the cancellation, the reality star is “very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security,” a spokesperson for Paul told NBC News. Mortenson also responded to the news, “As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation,” he said. “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,” Mortenson said.
ABC has replaced the cancelled season 22 of The Bachelorette on Sunday nights with a mix of programming, primarily starting with a rerun of American Idol. Moving forward, the network will be reruns of America’s Funniest Home Videos and The Greatest Average American.
