ABC pulled the plug on Sunday's premiere of 'The Bachelorette' after TMZ leaked disturbing video footage showing the season's star, Taylor Frankie Paul, physically assaulting her ex-boyfriend in February 2023. The leaked video shows Paul hitting Dakota Mortensen and throwing kitchen bar stools — one appearing to strike her young daughter, who can be heard screaming "Mommy!" Disney executives had known about Paul's arrest and guilty plea for aggravated assault, but hadn't seen the actual footage until it surfaced Thursday morning.
Within hours of the video going public, Disney Entertainment Television yanked all promotional materials from press sites and issued a terse statement: "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 cancellation represents a stunning reversal for ABC, which had broken precedent by casting Paul as the first Bachelorette who hadn't previously appeared on the Bachelor franchise. Paul, who gained fame on Hulu's 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,' had campaigned on social media for the role — and won it, until the video surfaced.
What makes ABC's position particularly awkward is the timeline of their knowledge. Network executives knew about Paul's arrest and conviction but claim they never requested or viewed the actual footage from the incident. This raises uncomfortable questions about the franchise's vetting process — how thoroughly does ABC investigate the backgrounds of its leads?
The financial hit extends beyond sunk production costs. ABC had heavily promoted the season, with promos airing an estimated 870 times on national television — representing about $8.2 million in media value, according to ad measurement firm iSpot. Sunday's time slot will now feature an 'American Idol' rerun, a significant ratings downgrade that will sting through the entire would-be season.
Paul's legal troubles haven't ended. There's currently an open domestic assault investigation stemming from a new incident between Paul and Mortensen last month. "Allegations have been made in both directions," the Draper City Police Department told People magazine. The new investigation also paused production on season five of 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,' where Paul is a central cast member.
Paul's response came through a spokesperson, framing herself as a victim: "Taylor is very grateful for ABC's support as she prioritizes her family's safety and security. After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser."
The statement continued with broader claims about domestic violence: "There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives. Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation and public shaming."
This latest crisis adds to the Bachelor franchise's troubled history with controversy. The series has weathered multiple scandals, from the 2017 'Bachelor in Paradise' production shutdown over alleged sexual misconduct to longtime host Chris Harrison's departure following comments about a contestant's attendance at an "Old South" plantation-themed party.
What's different this time is the visual evidence. Previous scandals involved alleged behavior or problematic associations that required context and interpretation. The leaked footage of Paul is unambiguous and deeply disturbing — showing violence in the presence of a child who appears to be harmed.
- ABC faces questions about why they didn't review available footage before casting
- The network must now find replacement programming for a prime Sunday night slot
- The Bachelor franchise confronts another major scandal just years after the Chris Harrison controversy
- Paul's legal troubles continue with an ongoing investigation into a separate recent incident
The decision to scrap the season came during a particularly turbulent week for Disney leadership. The cancellation fell on the second day of Dana Walden's tenure as Disney president, after Bob Iger stepped down Wednesday. Walden, who comes from television and moved over from Fox when Disney acquired its studios, now faces the challenge of managing this crisis while establishing her new role.
For ABC, the calculation was stark: broadcast footage of domestic violence involving a child, or take the financial hit. The network chose the only defensible path, but questions remain about how Paul made it through the casting process in the first place. The franchise's vetting procedures — clearly inadequate for catching this situation — will likely face scrutiny as ABC attempts to salvage what remains of the Bachelor brand's reputation.
Whether the completed season will ever air remains unclear. ABC hasn't announced plans beyond this Sunday's 'American Idol' rerun, leaving open the possibility that $millions worth of finished television may never see daylight.