Trending Now - Bachelorette Filming Suspended Following Taylor Frankie Paul's Assault Allegations

WHO:

A police spokesperson in Draper City, Utah, confirmed that allegations have been made in both directions between Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen.

A representative for Paul stated that the video "conveniently omits context."

Dakota Mortensen, ex-partner of Taylor Frankie Paul, is the father of one of Paul's three children.

A spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department confirmed an open domestic violence investigation involving both Paul and Mortensen.

Taylor Frankie Paul, Dakota Mortensen, ABC, Disney Entertainment Television, Draper Police Department, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Mikayla Matthews, co-star of "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives"

WHAT:

ABC's cancellation of the upcoming season of "The Bachelorette" was announced on March 19th, 2026, just three days before the scheduled premiere on March 22nd, 2026.

The video of the altercation was filmed in 2023 and was first published by TMZ on March 19th, 2026.

The video reportedly shows Paul repeatedly hitting and kicking Mortensen and hurling multiple chairs at him in front of her daughter, Indy, who was 5 years old at the time.

The video of the altercation, which shows Paul throwing objects and yelling, was first published by TMZ on March 19th, 2026.

Production for Season 5 of "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" was paused on March 15th, 2026, due to the ongoing investigation.

The video reportedly shows Paul hitting and kicking Mortensen and hurling multiple chairs at him in front of her daughter, who was 5 years old at the time.

Mortensen has filed for a restraining order against Paul, claiming she "choked and shoved him into a window in front of their son, Ever, 2."

ABC has canceled the upcoming season of "The Bachelorette" starring Taylor Frankie Paul.

The cancellation was announced on March 19th, 2026, just days before the season was set to premiere on March 22nd, 2026.

A video from 2023 showing Paul in an altercation with Mortensen was released by TMZ on March 19th, 2026.

Paul was arrested in 2023 and charged with aggravated assault and other offenses, including domestic violence in the presence of a child.

Paul pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of aggravated assault in August 2023; other charges were dismissed.

Mortensen has filed for a restraining order against Paul, claiming she "choked and shoved him into a window" in front of their son.

WHERE:

Draper, Utah, where the domestic violence investigation is taking place.

WHEN:

Police were called to the altercation on February 23rd, 2026, and contact was made with involved parties on February 24th and 25th, 2026.

The video of the altercation was filmed in 2023.

The cancellation announcement was made on March 19th, 2026.

The season was scheduled to premiere on March 22nd, 2026.

Police were called to the altercation on February 23rd, 2026.

WHY:

The backlash and calls for a boycott over Paul's legal troubles and the release of the video showing her violent behavior influenced ABC's decision to cancel the season.

ABC's decision to cancel the season was influenced by backlash and calls for a boycott over Paul's legal troubles and the release of the video showing her violent behavior.

The cancellation was due to backlash and calls for a boycott over Paul's legal troubles and the release of the video showing her violent behavior.

HOW:

A Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson 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."

ABC's decision to cancel the season was made after the video surfaced, with a spokesperson stating, "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."

(UPDATED March 20, 2026 03:44 UTC)

In Draper City, Utah, police have confirmed that allegations have been made in both directions between Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen, with a representative for Paul stating that a recently released video "conveniently omits context." This video, which shows Paul engaging in violent behavior, was filmed in 2023 and published by TMZ on March 19, leading to significant backlash that prompted ABC to announce the cancellation of the upcoming season of "The Bachelorette" just three days before its scheduled premiere. A spokesperson for Disney Entertainment Television explained that the decision was made to prioritize support for the family in light of the newly surfaced footage.

(UPDATED March 20, 2026 01:23 UTC)

In a developing story, Dakota Mortensen, the father of one of Taylor Frankie Paul's children, is at the center of an open domestic violence investigation confirmed by the Draper City Police Department. A video released by TMZ on March 19 shows Paul in a violent altercation with Mortensen, reportedly hitting and kicking him while their five-year-old daughter was present, leading Mortensen to file for a restraining order against her. As a result of the backlash over these events, production for Season 5 of "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" was paused on March 15, and a Disney spokesperson announced that they will not move forward with the new season of "The Bachelorette" at this time.

(UPDATED March 19, 2026 23:08 UTC)

ABC has officially canceled the upcoming season of "The Bachelorette," which was set to star Taylor Frankie Paul, just days before its premiere on March 22, 2026. This decision follows the release of a video showing Paul in an altercation with Dakota Mortensen, prompting backlash and calls for a boycott due to Paul's previous legal troubles, including a guilty plea for aggravated assault in 2023. In light of these developments, a spokesperson for ABC stated that their focus is now on supporting the family involved.