LOS ANGELES \u2014 ABC has scrubbed the upcoming season of \u201cThe Bachelorette,\u201d starring Taylor Frankie Paul, three days before its planned premiere, citing a newly released video from 2023 in which she appears to punch, kick and throw chairs at her former partner as her young daughter watched and cried.<\/p>\n
Thursday\u2019s cancellation of the already filmed 22nd season of the reality show is unprecedented. While ABC parent company Disney cited the older video, the move comes amid a current domestic violence investigation involving Paul and Dakota Mortensen, father to a son who is the youngest of her three children.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn 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\u2019 at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,\u201d a statement from Disney Entertainment Television said.<\/p>\n
A Paul representative responded that she has been abused for years while remaining silent about it.<\/p>\n
Before her \u201cBachelorette\u201d casting, Paul had already become a reality star through \u201cThe Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,\u201d whose production is paused.<\/p>\n
In 2023 video published by TMZ Thursday, Mortensen is apparently trying to stave off Paul with one hand one while he shoots phone video. She is shown punching him, kicking him then throwing three chairs at him while repeatedly screaming \u201cYou did this!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only thing you know how to do is hurt me,\u201d Mortensen says, while repeatedly pleading with Paul and reminding her that her daughter was watching. A child can be heard sobbing, screaming and shouting \u201cmommy!\u201d Paul\u2019s daughter would have been about 5 at the time.<\/p>\n
The video was consistent with Paul\u2019s arrest in 2023, when she was charged with aggravated assault and other offenses, including domestic violence in the presence of a child. She pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge; the other counts were dismissed.<\/p>\n
A spokesman for Paul said in a statement Thursday that she is \u201cvery grateful for ABC\u2019s support as she prioritizes her family\u2019s 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 and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm.\u201d<\/p>\n
The statement said \u201cTaylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation, and public shaming\u201d and that she is now \u201cexploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story.\u201d<\/p>\n
A police spokesperson in Draper City, Utah, told People magazine earlier this week that there was an open domestic violence investigation of Paul and Mortensen, and that both have made allegations.<\/p>\n
Mortensen denied wrongdoing.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation. I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny. I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same,\u201d his statement said.<\/p>\n
Mortensen\u2019s representatives didn\u2019t immediately answer requests for comment.<\/p>\n
ABC will air an \u201cAmerican Idol\u201d rerun Sunday instead.<\/p>\n
Paul was promoting \u201cThe Bachelorette\u201d as recently as Wednesday on \u201cGood Morning America\u201d and on the red carpet before Sunday\u2019s Oscars.<\/p>\n
She was an unusual choice to helm \u201cThe Bachelorette,\u201d the reality TV institution that started in 2003. Most leads are cast from previous runners-up from \u201cThe Bachelor.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her selection instead offered synergy with \u201cThe Secret Lives of Mormon Wives\u201d on Hulu, also owned by Disney. In a statement confirming her \u201cBachelorette\u201d casting in October, ABC credited Paul with \u201cigniting `MomTok\u2019 and going viral for pulling back the curtain on Salt Lake\u2019s soft-swinging scene.\u201d<\/p>\n