The Brief

• • ABC has canceled Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette” just days before it was set to premiere.
  • The news comes hours after footage from 2023 was leaked showing Paul attacking her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.

  • ABC is pulling the plug on Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette,” according to reports.

    TMZ learned of the news amid claims of domestic abuse, along with a 2023 video of her fighting with her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.

    ‘The Bachelorette’ Taylor Frankie Paul’s season canceled, reports say

    What they’re saying:

    A Disney Entertainment spokesperson said in a statement on Thursday, “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.”

    The ‘Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ star’s season of the dating show was scheduled to premiere Sunday on ABC. Paul posted on Instagram in December that filming had wrapped on “The Bachelorette,” which is hosted by Jesse Palmer.

    ABC’s statement didn’t include details on what the network planned to do with the show’s time slot.

    Authorities arrested Taylor Frankie Paul in 2023

    Dig deeper:

    The statement appeared to reference a 2023 video of an altercation between Paul and Mortensen that was published by TMZ on Thursday.

    Authorities arrested Paul in 2023 on charges of aggravated assault, two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse with injury and criminal mischief.

    The complaint alleged that Paul threw a phone, a wooden play set and “heavy metal chairs” at Mortensen. One of the chairs allegedly hit one of her children who was sitting next to her then-boyfriend on the couch during their argument.

    Paul pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, while the other four charges were dropped.

    Taylor Frankie Paul addresses domestic violence allegations

    The backstory:

    Earlier this week, Paul confronted domestic violence allegations head-on, admitting the fallout felt “like the end of the world” as she continued to endure intense public scrutiny days before the premiere of “The Bachelorette.”

    The Draper City Police Department said domestic abuse “allegations have been made in both directions,” referring to Paul and Mortensen, PEOPLE reported. According to authorities, “contact was made with involved parties on [Feb] 24th and 25th.”

    “Honestly, it’s been a heavy time to see the headlines, especially during this time of ‘The Bachelorette’ being released, and it’s supposed to be a really exciting time,” Paul said during an appearance on “Good Morning America.“

    EARLIER: Taylor Frankie Paul announced as next Bachelorette

    “I’m a person that will always speak my truth, and that’s what I’m known for. And, so, when the time is right, I will be. But right now, just trying to be in the present moment and focus on this.”

    “My kids do come first,” Paul emphasized. “My kids come first, and so it’s been like just a back-and-forth process trying to be here in the present moment, you know, worrying about home and headlines. It’s been stressful to be honest.”

    Filming of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” season 5, Paul’s other reality show, is also on pause.

    Paul confirmed filming for the fifth season had been paused but claimed she didn’t know why. The reality TV star admitted she isn’t sure what her future looks like on the show as she deals with allegations of domestic violence for a second time.

    “It’s hard to see past this – I’m not going to lie – in this moment. It’s just so heavy,” Paul said. “When your life is broadcasted out there in these headlines, it’s like the end of the world, that’s what it feels like, I’m not going to lie.

    “I will say I’ve been here before, and I got through it. And I’ve shared my story and my light, and I’m hoping I can do that again.”

    Paul shares a son with Mortensen. The two officially ended their relationship in December 2024, after the birth of their son but have kept up on-and-off romantic contact with each other since.

    Paul also shares two children with her ex-husband, Tate Paul.