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ABC has decided to cancel the 22nd season of The Bachelorette, which was set to feature Taylor Frankie Paul in the lead role. Originally slated to premiere on March 22, 2026, the network pulled the show following serious allegations against Paul and the release of a video purportedly depicting past abusive behavior. An ex-producer from The Bachelorette suggested that these developments should not have caught ABC off guard. Here’s the backstory.
An ex-‘Bachelorette’ producer doesn’t believe that ABC was ‘blindsided’ by the allegations against Taylor Frankie Paul
Taylor Frankie Paul will not be stepping into the spotlight as the leading lady for The Bachelorette Season 22.
The controversy ignited after a widely publicized domestic violence incident in February 2023 involving Paul and her then-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen. Court documents and police reports revealed that Paul was accused of assault following a heated dispute during which she allegedly threw various objects, including metal barstools, in their home. One of these items reportedly hit her child, leading to charges such as aggravated assault, domestic violence in the presence of a child, and child abuse. Video evidence, as noted in filings, also purportedly shows Paul kicking and hitting her partner during the altercation, as reported by Fox13.
In response to these charges, Paul accepted a plea deal, admitting guilt to aggravated assault while other charges were dropped. As part of the agreement, she was mandated to undergo counseling and evaluations.
To add to the concerns, police have confirmed the existence of an ongoing domestic assault investigation involving Paul and Mortensen in 2026, as noted by People.
Additionally, police confirmed that there’s currently an open domestic assault investigation involving Paul and Mortensen in 2026, according to People.
Ex-Bachelorette producer Michael Carroll spoke to TMZ before news of the season’s cancellation broke. The producer noted that to become a lead on the show, the rules were “unbelievably strict.” The show performed background checks, medical checks, and mental capacity checks on potential leads. According to the producer, anyone with charges against them was also not chosen. He didn’t explain whether this has changed in recent years.
The producer then noted that The Bachelorette producers more than likely knew about any past legal troubles.
“The casting department, at least with executive producers, was completely aware of who this person [was], especially because it seems to me like a publicity grab to get this contestant,” the producer explained to TMZ. “So, they’re quickly going to do all of this and do the quickest vetting they can do, but they’re going to know everything.”
“There’s no way that ABC could’ve been blindsided with this,” Carroll continued. “They are in total cahoots with executive producers up until the moment of filming, and they are, day one, at least in the control room. So, they’re going to know exactly who this person is.”
The producer noted that it’s more permissible nowadays to have “someone with a past” as the lead. He believes that producers were willing to roll the dice on Paul and give her a chance despite her past.
Previously, a source connected to the show told TMZ that producers were, in fact, “blindsided” by the allegations surrounding Paul. ABC has reportedly hired a public relations crisis manager to handle the situation.
‘The Bachelorette’ Season 22 contestants allegedly feel ‘betrayed’
A source close to The Bachelorette cast told People that the cast members feel “betrayed” by the allegations surrounding Taylor Frankie Paul.
“They’re extremely disappointed,” the source alleged. “They felt betrayed when they found this out because they all went into this to genuinely get to know Taylor.”
However, another insider alleged that Paul is “on great terms with the men from The Bachelorette.”
An additional source close to The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives cast told the publication that Paul’s castmates also hope to distance themselves from her.
“None of the women want to be associated with her,” the source alleged.
Taylor Frankie Paul’s representatives released a statement
Following the news of The Bachelorette cancellation, Taylor Frankie Paul’s representatives released a statement to The U.S. Sun.
“Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security,” the statement reads.
“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.”
“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.”