ABC has cancelled the upcoming season of the dating show The Bachelorette following domestic violence allegations involving its newly announced star, Taylor Frankie Paul.
The decision came after footage surfaced on Thursday showing Paul in a physical altercation with her ex-partner, Dakota Mortensen.
“In 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’ at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,” a Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson told NBC News.
The season had been scheduled to premiere on Sunday.
According to court records, Paul was arrested in connection with the incident in 2023 and faced multiple charges, including assault, criminal mischief, and domestic violence in the presence of a child.
A mental health assessment from 2023 described Paul as an “intermediate problem drinker,” with “borderline anxiety” and a “mild level of depression.”
Paul's team has denied the allegations, calling them a “desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor without any regard for the consequences for their child.”
