Lead: ABC removed the new season of The Bachelorette from its schedule ahead of the planned Sunday, March 22 premiere after a video and related domestic violence allegations involving Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen surfaced. The network said the decision came after the footage was released and that its immediate focus is supporting the family while investigations proceed. Utah authorities are reportedly looking into the matter following a police call, and production on a related reality series has also been paused.
Key Takeaways
- ABC pulled The Bachelorette from its March 22, 2026 airdate after a video and allegations involving Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen emerged.
- Disney Entertainment Television said it will not move forward with the new season at this time and cited newly surfaced video as the reason for the pause.
- The Draper City Police Department in Utah is investigating after officers were called by Mortensen’s roommate; the investigation is ongoing.
- Variety confirmed that Season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has paused filming amid allegations from both parties.
- Taylor Frankie Paul spent the week promoting the Bachelorette season with interviews in New York and appearances on Live With Kelly and Mark and Good Morning America.
- In 2023 Paul pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault; charges for child abuse, criminal mischief and domestic violence in the presence of a child were dismissed at that time.
- On Thursday, TMZ published video that appears to show Paul attacking Mortensen and throwing multiple chairs; the footage has become central to the network’s decision.
Background
The Bachelorette is a high-profile reality franchise on ABC that typically receives heavy promotion in the weeks before a season launch. Networks commonly schedule premieres months in advance and commit marketing resources and advertisers to specific air dates; sudden pauses to scheduled programming are rare and usually tied to legal or ethical concerns. ABC’s choice to remove a premiere at short notice reflects the immediate reputational and legal risks the network assessed.
Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen have had a widely reported, on-and-off relationship spanning several years and share a son, Ever, now about one year old. Paul has been a public figure on social platforms and in reality television; Mortensen has appeared on shows and in press coverage connected to their relationship. The current controversy intersects two reality franchises: ABC’s The Bachelorette and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, the latter of which documented weeks that included Paul’s interactions with Mortensen ahead of the Bachelorette shoot.
Main Event
ABC announced the removal of The Bachelorette’s season after a Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson referenced a newly released video as the impetus for the decision. The network did not commit to a later broadcast date, saying its immediate priority is to support the family while additional information comes to light. Variety reported that production on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Season 5 has halted as both parties made allegations that prompted a Draper City Police investigation.
The Draper City Police Department opened an inquiry after law enforcement was called to a residence by Mortensen’s roommate, according to reporting; investigators have not publicly released details about charges or potential arrests. TMZ posted footage on Thursday that shows what the outlet described as Paul appearing to strike Mortensen and throwing several chairs. That video has been cited publicly by media outlets and referenced by ABC in its decision to pause the season.
In the days before the network’s move, Paul attended press events in New York and gave interviews on Live With Kelly and Mark and Good Morning America while promoting The Bachelorette. At a press dinner she told People that the timing of the controversy had been painful and that it had taken a great deal for her to attend promotional events. The resurfacing of earlier incidents and the new footage together accelerated scrutiny from media and viewers, putting pressure on ABC and production partners to respond quickly.
Analysis & Implications
The immediate removal of a major premiere underscores how sensitive broadcasters are to allegations of domestic violence involving talent. Networks and advertisers weigh reputational harm, legal exposure, and audience backlash; when footage surfaces that appears to show physical altercations, the commercial calculus often shifts toward distancing. ABC’s statement prioritizing family support reflects a risk-management posture that also leaves open legal and programming options as facts become clearer.
For reality-TV production companies, this episode may prompt tighter vetting and crisis protocols. Background checks, review of existing footage, and contractual morality clauses are already common, but high-profile incidents tend to accelerate policy reviews and stricter contingency planning. Distributors and streaming partners that licensed the season could face delays in delivery and potential renegotiations if networks decide not to air material tied to alleged criminal conduct.
Legally, the Draper City Police investigation will determine whether evidence supports criminal charges; publication of user- or media-posted video can influence public opinion but is distinct from courtroom standards. Past legal outcomes — including Paul’s 2023 guilty plea to one count of aggravated assault and dismissal of other charges — will be part of the public record but do not by themselves settle current allegations. Civil liability, custody implications for the couple’s son, and employment consequences within the entertainment industry remain open issues depending on investigative outcomes.
Comparison & Data
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Paul pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault; other charges dismissed. |
| Week of March 16–22, 2026 | Paul promoted The Bachelorette with multiple media appearances in New York. |
| Thursday (week of March 22, 2026) | TMZ published video showing an alleged altercation; ABC pulled the March 22 premiere. |
| March 2026 | Draper City Police Department opened an investigation after a roommate called officers. |
The timeline above maps key public milestones relevant to the network decision. While the 2023 legal outcome remains part of the historical record, the newly published video and contemporaneous allegations are the proximate triggers for production pauses and network action. Networks commonly wait for law enforcement or internal review to conclude before deciding whether to reschedule or cancel aired material.
Reactions & Quotes
ABC’s public remark framed the programming move as a response to newly surfaced material and an effort to prioritize support for those involved.
“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 Entertainment Television spokesperson (network statement)
Taylor Frankie Paul, while promoting the season earlier in the week, expressed emotional distress at the timing and difficulty of the moment, saying it had been painful to navigate public appearances amid personal turmoil.
“Honestly, just like, my heart hurts to see it, to go through it, especially at this time… the timing is hard, and it’s a big deal.”
Taylor Frankie Paul (People interview)
Industry observers and outlets noted the operational consequences: the reality series that documented pre-season events has paused filming, and local law enforcement confirmed an investigation had been opened after an on-site call, though authorities had provided limited public detail.
Unconfirmed
- Whether ABC will reschedule and air this season at a later date remains undecided and has not been publicly announced.
- The exact contents, full provenance and any edits to the TMZ video have not been independently authenticated by law enforcement in public statements.
- It is not yet confirmed whether the Draper City Police investigation will result in charges or further legal action against either party.
Bottom Line
ABC’s decision to pull The Bachelorette ahead of its March 22 premiere is a clear indicator of how quickly networks will act when allegations of domestic violence surface, especially when corroborating footage circulates publicly. The move minimizes immediate reputational exposure but leaves many practical and legal questions unresolved. Viewers, advertisers and distribution partners will watch closely for law enforcement findings and any statements from the network or the parties involved.
As investigators and media outlets continue to report, the central variables to monitor are whether the video will be authenticated in an official capacity, whether formal charges are filed, and how ABC and production companies choose to handle the unaired material. Those outcomes will shape contractual, editorial and policy responses across the reality-television industry.
Sources
- Variety (entertainment news)
- TMZ (tabloid/entertainment outlet; published the video referenced in coverage)
- People (news/entertainment; source of Paul interview comments)
- Draper City Police Department (local police department official)