ABC has canceled the upcoming season of The Bachelorette, starring Taylor Frankie Paul, just days before its scheduled premiere. The decision comes after a video surfaced showing Paul in a violent altercation with her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, during which their child was reportedly injured according to multiple reports.
Key Takeaways
ABC has canceled the upcoming season of 'The Bachelorette' starring Taylor Frankie Paul after a video surfaced showing her in a violent altercation with her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen. According to multiple reports, the video shows Paul throwing barstools at Mortensen and accidentally hitting their child. The incident occurred in 2023 and led to Paul pleading guilty to aggravated assault charges. Filming for the fifth season of 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,' which Paul executive produces, has also been halted amid a separate domestic violence investigation involving both Paul and Mortensen.
According to TMZ and confirmed by other outlets, the video shows Paul throwing metal barstools at Mortensen. A police report cited in The Los Angeles Times notes that a 'goose egg' was found on the child's head during the incident. Paul pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and was sentenced to three years of probation according to NPR.
The video, which was introduced as evidence in a 2023 court case, shows Paul putting Mortensen into a headlock and pelting him with metal bar stools while their young daughter cries. According to Los Angeles Times, the child was injured during the incident, and Paul was charged with aggravated assault, child abuse, and domestic violence in the presence of a child.
The cancellation follows reports that filming for the fifth season of 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,' which Paul executive produces, has been halted amid an ongoing domestic violence investigation involving both Paul and Mortensen. According to People, an unnamed spokesperson with Utah's Draper City Police Department confirmed that allegations have been made in both directions.
The decision to cancel the season is a significant blow to ABC, which had hoped that Paul's casting would revitalize the franchise according to The Guardian. The network has not yet announced whether the season will be rescheduled or replaced. In a statement reported by Salon, Disney said its focus is on supporting the family involved.
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