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\n Photo-Illustration: by The Cut; Photos: Disney\/Bahareh Ritter\/ABC\n <\/p>\n
As you\u2019ve probably already heard, Disney announced Thursday it was pulling the plug<\/a> on Taylor Frankie Paul<\/a>\u2019s season of The Bachelorette, which was set to premiere Sunday, amid domestic-abuse allegations against the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives<\/a> star. In the wake of the news, several of the contestants from Paul\u2019s scrapped season are breaking their silence on social media.<\/p>\n Doug Mason<\/a> \u2014 a lifeguard from San Diego who is rumored to have won the season \u2014 posted a video to his Instagram Story on Friday about the show\u2019s cancellation. \u201cIn light of everything that\u2019s happened, I am just sending out prayers to Taylor because that was her moment, and her moment was blocked,\u201d he said. \u201cSo all we can do right now is just be hopeful, and I\u2019m headed off to run to watch the sunrise. I hope you guys have a great day; let\u2019s stay positive and show nothing but support for people in need.\u201d<\/p>\n In a post on his Instagram Story, country singer (and ex-fianc\u00e9<\/a> of Lana Del Rey) Clayton Johnson <\/a>praised the men from his cast. \u201cI can honestly say this was one of the best groups of men I\u2019ve ever been around. So much integrity, respect, and heart across the board. Even the tough moments never took away from that,\u201d he wrote, adding that \u201cany woman would be lucky to be with any of these guys.\u201d<\/p>\n On Thursday \u2014 the same day TMZ published video of the incident that led to Paul\u2019s 2023 domestic-violence arrest \u2014 contestant Brandon Perce<\/a>, 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, \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Johnnie LaRossa<\/a>, a former Minor League Baseball player, wrote on his Instagram Story that he was \u201cgrateful for the experience\u201d and \u201cappreciate[d] everyone reaching out.\u201d \u201cAnd I\u2019ve gotta say the group of guys were truly unbelievable. Nothing but respect for them,\u201d LaRossa wrote. \u201cLove you boys, and any woman would be lucky to have each and every one of them!\u201d<\/p>\n Several other contestants shared messages thanking their followers for reaching out. Malik Evans<\/a>, a Brooklyn-based marketing exec at Meta, said he was \u201cdoing okay\u201d in a post on his Instagram Story. \u201cHope to share more soon,\u201d he wrote. Matt Carroll<\/a>, a real-estate broker from Indiana, shared a video from the Indianapolis Star about the show\u2019s cancellation, saying it was \u201con pause for now.\u201d \u201cThank you for everyone\u2019s support and thoughtful messages,\u201d he wrote. Mike Turitto<\/a>, a New Jersey\u2013based brand-protection manager, struck a hopeful tone, sharing a photo of the sunrise view from his bed Friday morning. \u201cIt\u2019s a new day,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n Stay in touch.<\/p>\n The latest in style, self, culture, and power in your inbox.<\/p>\n Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice<\/p>\n