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ABC pulled the plug on Season 22 of The Bachelorette hours after a disturbing video from 2023 went public, showing Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Taylor Frankie Paul in a violent altercation with her ex-partner Dakota Mortensen — with a child in the room.
The season was set to premiere this Sunday, March 22, making Paul the first Bachelorette lead to never appear on The Bachelor as a contestant. That milestone never happened.
WHAT'S ON THE TAPE
The footage, obtained by TMZ and confirmed as evidence in a prior criminal case, shows Paul putting Mortensen in a headlock, charging at him, and hurling multiple metal barstools in his direction. Mortensen can be heard telling her their daughter was sitting right there — the 5-year-old was struck and later found to have a visible injury on her head. A neighbor called police over the noise, and officers arrived while the altercation was still ongoing.
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Paul previously pled guilty to felony aggravated assault in connection to the incident and was placed on three years' probation, set to expire in August. Four additional charges — including domestic violence in the presence of a child and child abuse — were dropped as part of the plea deal.
ABC'S RESPONSE
Disney Entertainment Television confirmed the cancellation Thursday, saying: the network is focused on supporting the family following the release of the newly surfaced video.
TAYLOR SPEAKS
Paul broke her silence through a spokesperson, saying she has spent years silently enduring what she describes as mental and physical abuse at the hands of Mortensen, and is now taking steps to protect herself and her children. Her team pushed back hard on the video's release, calling it a selectively edited, attention-seeking move timed to drop on their son's birthday.
THE FALLOUT
Production on Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Season 5 has also been paused. Castmate Mikayla Matthews confirmed the cast collectively agreed to stop filming, saying they didn't feel comfortable continuing given everything going on. Both Paul and Mortensen are also under investigation by Utah's Division of Children and Family Services and have been ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluations.
