ABC and Disney Entertainment have officially canceled the upcoming season of The Bachelorette. This unprecedented decision follows the release of a graphic domestic altercation video involving the show’s star, Taylor Frankie Paul. Executives pulled the 22nd season just three days before the scheduled premiere on Sunday, March 22, 2026. This move marks one of the biggest casting scandals in the history of the franchise.
A Multi-Million Dollar Corporate Loss
This sudden cancellation creates a massive financial disaster for the network. Reports indicate that each episode of the series costs roughly $2 million to produce. Since the entire season finished filming in December 2025, Disney now faces a loss of over $20 million in production costs alone. Furthermore, major brand deals with airlines and hotels are now in jeopardy. This is a staggering blow for a season that was meant to relaunch the long-running franchise for a newer, younger audience.
The Leaked Abuse Video
A major controversy erupted on March 19, 2026, when TMZ published a leaked video from a 2023 incident. The three-minute footage shows Paul attacking her former boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen. Paul punches and kicks Mortensen before throwing several metal barstools at him. A young child cries loudly in the background throughout the video. Mortensen clearly informs Paul that a thrown chair struck her daughter in the head. Take a closer look at the video below:
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Taylor Frankie Paul repeatedly attacked Dakota Mortensen during the 2023 incident in which she pled guilty to aggravated assault; video shows that one of her children was struck during the fight.
— TMZ (@TMZ) March 19, 2026
Trigger Warning. https://t.co/77CKYpLxvn pic.twitter.com/avr49EacY3
Disney and ABC Take Action
Disney Entertainment Television immediately ended the fully-filmed season once the video went public. The company issued a brief statement confirming that the 22nd season would not move forward. Officials stated that their primary focus remains on supporting the family. ABC has already removed all promotional materials for the show from its official platforms. Fans now criticize the network for failing to properly vet Paul despite her public arrest record.
MomTok Scandal Overflow
The fallout from this scandal now reaches beyond The Bachelorette. Taylor Frankie Paul also stars in the Hulu reality series, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Following the video’s release, production on the fifth season has officially stopped. Several cast members refused to continue filming due to the gravity of the allegations. Major corporate partners like Cinnabon and Meta also cut ties with Paul today.
Allegations and Denials
Representatives for Taylor Frankie Paul released a statement following the cancellation. They claim she is grateful for ABC’s support and is prioritizing her family’s safety. The statement alleges that Paul endured years of mental and physical abuse from Mortensen. However, Dakota Mortensen categorically denies these baseless claims. He calls the recent video release a destructive campaign against his reputation.
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