On the morning of Thursday, March 19, 2026, TMZ published a video from 2023 showing Taylor Frankie Paul, the announced lead of Season 22 of The Bachelorette, in an altercation with her ex-boyfriend and co-parent Dakota Mortensen. The footage shows Paul attempting to put Mortensen in a headlock, kicking him, and throwing three metal barstools at him. A child can be heard crying in the background.

Within hours, Disney Entertainment cancelled The Bachelorette Season 22 — which had been set to premiere on ABC on Sunday, March 22, 2026. In a statement, a Disney spokesperson said: “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.”

Sources at ABC confirmed that no one at the network had seen the TMZ video before it was published Thursday morning. The Bachelorette premiere party — a planned “House of Roses” immersive pop-up event at Nya Studios West in Los Angeles — was also cancelled.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Who cancelled The Bachelorette 2026?: ABC / Disney Entertainment cancelled the season on March 19, 2026
• Why was The Bachelorette cancelled?: TMZ published a 2023 video appearing to show lead Taylor Frankie Paul in a violent incident with ex Dakota Mortensen
• When was The Bachelorette supposed to premiere?: Sunday, March 22, 2026 on ABC
• Will The Bachelorette air later?: ABC has not confirmed whether the season will air at a future date
• Who is the lead?: Taylor Frankie Paul, 31 — TikTok star and star of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (Hulu)
• Is Mormon Wives also paused?: Yes — production on Season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has also been halted
• What about sponsorships?: Cinnabon has already terminated its sponsorship deals with both shows

Who Is Taylor Frankie Paul?

Taylor Frankie Paul (born May 23, 1994; age 31) is a Utah-based TikTok influencer, content creator, and reality TV star with 6.1 million TikTok followers and 2 million Instagram followers. She is widely known as the creator and pioneer of #MomTok — a TikTok subculture of Mormon mom influencers — and as the breakout star of Hulu’s hit reality series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.

Taylor Frankie Paul: Background & Family

• Full name: Taylor Frankie Paul
• Age: 31 (born May 23, 1994)
• Location: Utah, USA
• Ex-husband: Tate Paul (married 2016, divorced 2022) — they share children Indy (born 2017) and Ocean (born 2020)
• Ex-partner / baby daddy: Dakota Mortensen — they share a son, Ever True (born approx. 2024)
• Children: Three: Indy, Ocean (with Tate Paul), and Ever True (with Dakota Mortensen)
• TikTok followers: 6.1 million (@taylorfrankiepaul)
• Known for: Creator of #MomTok; the 2022 Mormon soft-swinging scandal; The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (Hulu); Season 22 of The Bachelorette (cancelled)

How Taylor Frankie Paul Rose to Fame: The MomTok Swinging Scandal

Taylor first went viral in May 2022 when she announced via a TikTok livestream that she and her then-husband Tate Paul were divorcing. She revealed that she and Tate had been engaged in “soft swinging” — a non-monogamy arrangement — with other Mormon couples in their social circle. She admitted to violating the boundaries of that agreement, which led directly to their divorce.

The scandal launched Taylor to national fame. In September 2024, Hulu premiered The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, a reality series following Taylor and her fellow MomTok influencers through the aftermath of the scandal. The show became one of Hulu’s most-watched unscripted series, running through multiple seasons and making Taylor a household name in reality TV — ultimately leading to her being cast as the first-ever Bachelorette to come from outside the Bachelor franchise.

Taylor Frankie Paul’s 2023 Domestic Violence Arrest: What Happened?

In February 2023, Taylor Frankie Paul was arrested on multiple charges following a physical altercation with Dakota Mortensen. The charges included:

• Assault
• Criminal mischief
• Domestic violence in the presence of a child
• Child abuse

According to police documents, Paul admitted to throwing a phone, a wooden play set, and heavy metal chairs at Mortensen. One of the thrown chairs struck her daughter Indy, who was approximately 5 years old and present during the incident. Body camera footage of the arrest was later featured in the Season 1 premiere of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.

In August 2025, Paul reached a plea deal. She pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault; the other four charges — including the child abuse and domestic violence charges — were dismissed with prejudice. The felony charge was reduced to a misdemeanor under an agreement requiring her to abide by its terms for three years.

The TMZ Video: What Does It Show?

On March 19, 2026, TMZ published footage from the 2023 incident. The video shows Taylor Frankie Paul attempting to put Dakota Mortensen in a headlock, kicking him, and throwing three metal barstools at him. In the footage, Mortensen can be heard saying one of the barstools hit her daughter, who is audibly crying nearby. The video ends with Mortensen opening the door to a responding police officer. Part of the video is audio-only.

Taylor Frankie Paul’s statement on the TMZ video: Her representative called it “a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior” and said the video was “selectively edited” and “conveniently omits context” — noting it was released on their son’s birthday.

The 2026 Domestic Violence Investigation: What We Know

Separate from the 2023 incident, a new and ongoing investigation is also underway. Here is what has been confirmed:

• In February 2026 (Feb. 24 and Feb. 25), contact was made with Paul and Mortensen by police regarding a new alleged domestic incident.
• The Draper City Police Department confirmed an open domestic assault investigation and stated “allegations have been made in both directions.”
• The West Jordan Police Department also confirmed receiving a domestic violence allegation via phone call involving Paul.
• TMZ reported that Mortensen filed an order for protection against Paul, seeking temporary custody of their son Ever, and alleging Paul was physically violent with him in front of the child.
• Both Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen have been ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluations.
• The Utah Division of Children and Family Services is investigating ongoing allegations of violence between them.
• Paul and Mortensen continue to co-parent through an intermediary. Sources say Paul has majority custody of Ever.

Who Is Dakota Mortensen?

Dakota Mortensen, 33, is a Utah-based real estate agent and self-described recovered addict. He met Taylor Frankie Paul on Instagram after her divorce from Tate Paul. Their volatile on-again, off-again relationship became a central storyline across multiple seasons of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. They share a son, Ever True. The full timeline of their relationship — including mutual accusations of abuse — has played out both on screen and in the public eye. Police have said allegations in their current investigation run in both directions.

Taylor Frankie Paul’s Statement After The Bachelorette Was Cancelled

Following ABC’s cancellation announcement, a spokesperson for Taylor Frankie Paul issued a statement saying she is “very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security.” The statement continued:

“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.”

Paul herself has also spoken out publicly, saying she is determined that “too many women are suffering in silence” — signaling she intends to share her full story. Her team noted she is “exploring all of her options, seeking support and preparing to own and share her story.” Her Wednesday appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to promote The Bachelorette was also cancelled by NBC.

The Domino Effect: What Else Was Cancelled or Affected?

• The Bachelorette Season 22: Cancelled by ABC/Disney on March 19, 2026. Premiere date was March 22.
• The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Season 5 (Hulu): Production paused. Filming halted amid the investigation.
• The Tonight Show Appearance (NBC): Taylor Frankie Paul’s Wednesday appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon was cancelled.
• “House of Roses” Premiere Party (LA): ABC’s planned immersive pop-up premiere event at Nya Studios West in Los Angeles was cancelled.
• Cinnabon Sponsorship: Cinnabon became the first sponsor to terminate its collaboration with both The Bachelorette and Mormon Wives.
• Future Bachelor Season: The cancellation creates uncertainty about the next Bachelor season, as ABC had been considering a finalist from Taylor’s Bachelorette season.

Reactions: What Are People Saying?

ABC / Disney

Disney cited the newly released video as the direct reason for the cancellation, stating their focus is on “supporting the family.” Experts noted it was “shocking” that the network had not acted sooner, given the prior public record of the 2023 arrest.

Former Bachelor Grant Ellis

Former Bachelor lead Grant Ellis publicly supported the cancellation, telling TMZ that ABC “absolutely did the right thing” and that not pulling the show would have left it open to interpretation whether they cared about domestic abuse or not.

Media & Researchers

Media researchers caution that audiences only have pieces of the full picture between Paul and Mortensen. Experts noted this raises broader questions about how the entertainment industry handles real-life domestic violence allegations — and the risk of desensitisation when abuse becomes reality television content.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why was The Bachelorette 2026 cancelled?

A: ABC cancelled The Bachelorette 2026 on March 19, 2026 after TMZ published a 2023 video appearing to show lead Taylor Frankie Paul in a violent domestic incident with ex Dakota Mortensen. A new domestic violence investigation from February 2026 also preceded the cancellation.

Q: Did ABC cancel The Bachelorette permanently?

A: ABC has not confirmed whether the season will air at a later date. Disney stated they are not moving forward “at this time” — leaving the door open for a future airing.

Q: Who is Taylor Frankie Paul?

A: Taylor Frankie Paul is a 31-year-old Utah-based TikTok influencer (6.1M followers) and star of Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. She was set to be the lead of The Bachelorette Season 22 — the first Bachelorette not from the Bachelor franchise. She has three children: Indy and Ocean (with ex-husband Tate Paul) and Ever True (with ex-partner Dakota Mortensen).

Q: What is the TMZ Taylor Frankie Paul video?

A: TMZ published a 2023 video on March 19, 2026 showing Taylor Frankie Paul in an altercation with Dakota Mortensen. The footage shows her throwing metal barstools at him while a child is heard crying nearby. Taylor’s team called the video selectively edited.

Q: Who is Dakota Mortensen?

A: Dakota Mortensen, 33, is a Utah real estate agent and recovered addict. He is the father of Taylor Frankie Paul’s youngest child, Ever True. Their troubled relationship has been documented across multiple seasons of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.

Q: Who is Tate Paul?

A: Tate Paul is Taylor Frankie Paul’s ex-husband. They were married from 2016 to 2022 and share two children, Indy and Ocean. Their divorce was triggered by revelations about their involvement in a soft-swinging arrangement within their Mormon social circle.

Q: How old is Taylor Frankie Paul?

A: Taylor Frankie Paul is 31 years old, born May 23, 1994.

Q: Is The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives cancelled?

A: Production on Season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has been paused amid the ongoing investigation. The show has not been officially cancelled, but filming has stopped indefinitely.

Q: What did Taylor Frankie Paul do?

A: In 2023, Taylor Frankie Paul was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, domestic violence in the presence of a child, criminal mischief, and child abuse following a physical altercation with Dakota Mortensen. She pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in 2025; the other charges were dismissed. A new domestic incident investigation began in February 2026.

Q: Will The Bachelorette still air?

A: As of March 20, 2026, ABC has not announced whether or when The Bachelorette Season 22 will air. The network stated it is not moving forward “at this time.”

Full Timeline: Taylor Frankie Paul & The Bachelorette Cancellation

• May 2022: Taylor Frankie Paul goes viral revealing her Mormon soft-swinging scandal and divorce from Tate Paul on TikTok Live
• February 2023: Taylor arrested for aggravated assault, domestic violence in the presence of a child, criminal mischief, and child abuse following incident with Dakota Mortensen
• September 2024: The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives premieres on Hulu — Season 1 features body cam footage of the 2023 arrest
• August 2025: Taylor pleads guilty to aggravated assault (reduced from felony to misdemeanor). Other charges dismissed.
• September 2025: Taylor announced as lead of The Bachelorette Season 22 — the first Bachelorette from outside the Bachelor franchise
• February 24-25, 2026: New domestic incident involving Taylor and Dakota reported to police. Investigations opened in Draper City and West Jordan, Utah.
• March 2026 (early): Cinnabon terminates sponsorship with both The Bachelorette and Mormon Wives
• March 17-18, 2026: Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Season 5 production paused amid investigation
• March 18, 2026: Taylor appears on Good Morning America to promote The Bachelorette, deflects questions about controversy
• March 19, 2026 (morning): TMZ publishes 2023 video of the domestic incident. Tonight Show cancels Taylor’s appearance.
• March 19, 2026 (afternoon): ABC/Disney cancels The Bachelorette Season 22. Premiere party cancelled. Reality TV world reacts.
• March 20, 2026: Taylor’s team releases statement. Future of both shows remains uncertain.