ABC has abruptly cancelled Season 22 of The Bachelorette, just three days before its scheduled premiere, following the resurfacing of domestic violence allegations against TikTok star Taylor Frankie Paul. The decision marks a first in the 24-year history of the franchise.
Paul, 31, who also stars in Hulu’s Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (SLOMW), appeared on Good Morning America earlier this week to discuss her role in the upcoming series while addressing the renewed allegations lodged by her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, with whom she shares a son.
“I’m a person that will always speak my truth. That’s what I’m known for. So when the time is right, I will be,” Paul said during the interview.
Fallout from the Casting Decision
ABC had invested heavily in promoting Paul as the new face of The Bachelorette, sending her to high-profile events including the Oscars, with hopes that her social media presence over six million TikTok followers and two million Instagram followers would revitalize the aging franchise.
However, the network reversed course after footage from 2023 surfaced online, allegedly showing Paul attacking Mortensen in the presence of their daughter. A spokesperson for Disney Entertainment Television stated:
“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.”
The sudden cancellation has prompted questions about ABC’s vetting process, particularly given Paul’s public history of legal and personal challenges, including criminal convictions, alcohol use, and mental health issues.
Industry and Fan Reactions
Reality TV insiders describe the casting of Paul as an “all-or-nothing Hail Mary” to attract a new audience demographic. The gamble, they say, was driven by the network’s desire to refresh a declining ratings franchise, but the plan backfired after the resurfaced footage triggered widespread backlash.
Brands and media partners quickly responded. Cinnabon, a former Bachelorette sponsor, terminated its collaboration with both the show and SLOMW, while Paul’s planned appearance on The Tonight Show was cancelled.
Jo Hemmings, a UK reality TV consultant, explained the dilemma:
“There’s a perpetual conflict between entertainment and responsibility in reality TV shows because conflict drives the story. ABC, as a broadcast network, is held to a higher standard due to oversight by federal regulators and advertisers.”
Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor and former Disney legal advisor, estimated an “eight-figure fallout” from the cancellation, calling the situation “embarrassing and costly” for the network.
Impact on Other Productions
The controversy has also affected Hulu’s SLOMW, with Season 5 now on pause. Disney and Warner Bros Television, the studio behind The Bachelorette, are reportedly reviewing the fallout and exploring contractual measures, including morality clauses, to mitigate losses with advertisers.
While it remains unclear whether the Bachelorette episodes will ever air, experts suggest pulling the plug was likely the right move for Disney, which prioritizes family-friendly programming.
Paul’s personal and professional future remains uncertain. Both she and Mortensen have issued statements regarding their ongoing disputes, though neither responded to requests for comment on this story.
