Photo-Illustration: by The Cut; Photos: Disney/Bahareh Ritter/ABC

As you’ve probably already heard, Disney announced Thursday it was pulling the plug on Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of The Bachelorette, which was set to premiere Sunday, amid domestic-abuse allegations against the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star. In the wake of the news, several of the contestants from Paul’s scrapped season are breaking their silence on social media.

Doug Mason — a lifeguard from San Diego who is rumored to have won the season — posted a video to his Instagram Story on Friday about the show’s cancellation. “In light of everything that’s happened, I am just sending out prayers to Taylor because that was her moment, and her moment was blocked,” he said. “So all we can do right now is just be hopeful, and I’m headed off to run to watch the sunrise. I hope you guys have a great day; let’s stay positive and show nothing but support for people in need.”

In a post on his Instagram Story, country singer (and ex-fiancé of Lana Del Rey) Clayton Johnson praised the men from his cast. “I can honestly say this was one of the best groups of men I’ve ever been around. So much integrity, respect, and heart across the board. Even the tough moments never took away from that,” he wrote, adding that “any woman would be lucky to be with any of these guys.”

On Thursday — the same day TMZ published video of the incident that led to Paul’s 2023 domestic-violence arrest — contestant Brandon Perce, a loan officer and divorced dad, posted an Instagram Reel defending Paul, which has since been deleted. In a post on his Instagram Story soon after the cancellation was announced, Perce wrote, “…”

Johnnie LaRossa, a former Minor League Baseball player, wrote on his Instagram Story that he was “grateful for the experience” and “appreciate[d] everyone reaching out.” “And I’ve gotta say the group of guys were truly unbelievable. Nothing but respect for them,” LaRossa wrote. “Love you boys, and any woman would be lucky to have each and every one of them!”

Several other contestants shared messages thanking their followers for reaching out. Malik Evans, a Brooklyn-based marketing exec at Meta, said he was “doing okay” in a post on his Instagram Story. “Hope to share more soon,” he wrote. Matt Carroll, a real-estate broker from Indiana, shared a video from the Indianapolis Star about the show’s cancellation, saying it was “on pause for now.” “Thank you for everyone’s support and thoughtful messages,” he wrote. Mike Turitto, a New Jersey–based brand-protection manager, struck a hopeful tone, sharing a photo of the sunrise view from his bed Friday morning. “It’s a new day,” he wrote.

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