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ABC announced season 22 of The Bachelorette is no more, following a leak of a 2023 video of Taylor Frankie Paul attacking her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen.
On March 19, TMZ published the video where The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star is hitting and grabbing Mortensen as he records the altercation.
The video, posted merely hours before ABC’s cancellation, shows Paul, 32, and Mortensen, 33, arguing. Paul grabs at Mortensen, grabbing and pulling his hair before putting him in a headlock. She throws multiple stools at Mortensen, and her daughter is heard crying in the background.
Paul and Mortensen have one child together, Ever True Mortensen who was born March 2024.
Paul is the founder of #MomTok: a community of influencer mothers of the Mormon faith that post content on TikTok.
She gained notoriety for her whistleblowing on alleged “soft swinging” that occurred between her, her ex-husband and other MomTok couples in Utah. This led to divorce. The first season of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives follows the fallout.
In February 2023, Paul was arrested and charged with three misdemeanors: assault, criminal mischief and domestic violence in the presence of a child. In August 2023, Paul pleaded guilty to a third-degree felony count of aggravated assault.
The leaked video shows the 2023 incident that caused Paul’s arrest, featured at the end of season one of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.
Paul broke her silence with Variety, a spokesperson stating “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. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story.”
A Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY on March 19, that Paul’s season will not be airing.
People reports that the couple are currently under a separate investigation by the Draper City Police Department for “domestic assault.”
Variety confirmed the fifth season of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives paused filming in light of the latest investigation.
Both individuals accuse the other of a separate case of assault. A spokesperson for the department shared “allegations have been made in both directions” and “contact was made with involved parties on [Feb] 24th and 25th.”
Paul made her most recent appearance on Good Morning America to further address the current state of affairs. “It’s been a heavy time to see the headlines, especially during this time of ‘The Bachelorette’ being released. It’s supposed to be a really exciting time. I’m a person that will always speak my truth. That’s what I’m known for. So, when the time is right, I will be.”
She continued, “When your life is broadcasted out there in these headlines, it’s like the end of the world. That’s what it feels like.”
Mortensen made a statement to Entertainment Weekly on March 19, where he is “used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny. I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same.”
Due to the active investigation, there is no new information as of writing. No further comments from anyone involved are public, but many fans are leaving their thoughts all over social media.
On Taylor Frankie Paul’s latest Instagram post, a feature with New York Magazine and Vulture, thousands of comments lambaste the star.
Time will tell where the current case will lead the future of Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen. The internet stays divided, with many accusing Paul of abuse with others placing the blame solely on Mortensen.
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