ABC Cancels Season 22 of The Bachelorette

ABC has decided to cancel the upcoming season of The Bachelorette, just three days before its scheduled premiere. This cancellation comes on the heels of a video going viral, showing Taylor Frankie Paul—who was set to be the new Bachelorette—in a physical altercation with her ex-girlfriend, Dakota Mortensen.

The video depicts Paul attacking Mortensen, throwing a metal bar stool at him, while her child is also present. In response to this incident, a spokesperson for Disney Entertainment Television announced, “In light of the newly released video, we have made the decision not to proceed with the new season. Our focus is on supporting our families during this time.”

The new season was supposed to debut on Sunday, but TMZ revealed footage connected to Paul’s domestic violence case. She had pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, leading to a three-year probation sentence that is expected to end in August, assuming she stays out of trouble. As part of a plea deal, several charges, including domestic violence in the presence of a child, were dropped.

A police report indicated that during the incident, a five-year-old girl who was nearby was injured and suffered a bump on her head. Following the release of the video, social media users commented on the bizarre situation, noting that filming for the entire season had taken place prior to this development.

Paul, 31, had introduced herself in the show’s trailer: “My rise to fame was sudden and a big deal.” She expressed that she has faced criticism and judgment but believes that those who get to know her will see her true intentions. She is a mother of three, including an eight-year-old daughter and two sons, ages five and two, from different relationships. She and her ex-husband separated last year amidst controversy and earlier this year confirmed her split from Mortensen.

Furthermore, sources have mentioned that filming for another show featuring Paul, The Secret Life of Mormon Wives, has also been canceled due to serious ongoing issues surrounding her past. Meanwhile, the Draper Police Department has indicated that there is an open investigation regarding the domestic assault case involving Paul and Mortensen.

A representative for Paul expressed sadness over what they described as a continuous campaign aimed at harming her, with disregard for the impact on her children. The attorney suggested that Mortensen may have released the video to detract attention from his own actions.

In light of all this, it’s evident that the public may have seen similar behaviors before, and many recognize such patterns of manipulation that have emerged during their time on the show.