Show summary Hide summary
- Why the network paused the show and what it said
- What the video reportedly shows and legal ties
- Responses from Taylor Paul and Dakota Mortensen
- Who is Taylor Frankie Paul: MomTok, fame and past scandals
- The relationship arc: Mortensen, children and public scrutiny
- How the legal and investigative picture has evolved
- How a reality star became The Bachelorette and why that matters
- Impact on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and ongoing production
- Current status of the Bachelorette season and what networks are doing
ABC has pulled the premiere of the new season of The Bachelorette after a video surfaced that reportedly shows front-runner Taylor Frankie Paul in a 2023 altercation with her then-partner, Dakota Mortensen. Disney, which owns ABC, announced the network will not air the season as planned and said it is focusing on supporting the family while the situation unfolds.
Why the network paused the show and what it said
On Thursday, TMZ published footage it says documents an episode of domestic violence involving Paul and Mortensen. Within hours, Disney Entertainment told news outlets it would not move forward with the season “at this time.”
Nas slams music industry over disrespect: teases new music, vows to address it
1992 vocal performances: 3 jaw-dropping moments that still amaze
ABC replaced the scheduled premiere with a rerun, and the company emphasized concern for the family while it assesses the newly released material.
What the video reportedly shows and legal ties
The clip, said to have been filmed by Mortensen, allegedly shows Paul striking him, grabbing objects and throwing barstools. In the recording, a child is audible and Mortensen warns, “Your daughter is sitting right there.”
NPR has not independently verified the tape. TMZ reported the video had been part of legal evidence. The description aligns with a February 2023 incident in Herriman City, Utah.
- Arrested in 2023 on assault, criminal mischief and domestic violence charges in the presence of a child.
- Court records show Paul agreed to plead guilty to aggravated assault, a third-degree felony.
- She has been serving 36 months of probation, according to court documents.
Responses from Taylor Paul and Dakota Mortensen
Paul’s representatives described the video as part of what they call a sustained, damaging campaign by Mortensen. In statements to NBC and People, her team said she is seeking support and exploring options, and that she plans to tell her side of the story.
Mortensen denies the accusations and told Entertainment Weekly the allegations about him and the relationship are baseless. He said he is focused on the safety of their son.
Who is Taylor Frankie Paul: MomTok, fame and past scandals
Taylor Frankie Paul rose to public attention as a leader of “MomTok,” a collective of Utah-based Mormon mothers who built audiences on TikTok. The group made lifestyle, beauty and dance videos and attracted both fans and critics.
Her profile grew after a 2022 livestream in which she admitted to “soft swinging” with other couples. She described the arrangement as consensual but later said it was one issue among many that led to her divorce from Tate Paul that year.
- Age: 31
- Children: three — two from her marriage to Tate Paul, and one born in 2024 with Mortensen.
- Notable project: The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, a documentary-style show on Hulu.
The relationship arc: Mortensen, children and public scrutiny
Paul and Mortensen confirmed their relationship on TikTok in 2022. The pair split and reunited several times. Their son, Ever, was born in March 2024.
The couple’s turbulent dynamic has been chronicled on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, where cast members and producers included episodes that touched on the 2023 arrest and subsequent legal fallout.
How the legal and investigative picture has evolved
Local police records and media reports show authorities in Utah were involved in more than one contact with the couple. Draper City police told People this week that allegations were made by both parties and that officers had communicated with those involved on Feb. 24 and 25.
Details remain limited while at least one investigation is ongoing. Media outlets and NPR have sought comment from law enforcement and from representatives for both individuals.
How a reality star became The Bachelorette and why that matters
Paul announced on a podcast in September 2025 that she had been tapped as the next Bachelorette. The casting was notable because she had not been a contestant on The Bachelor, breaking the franchise’s usual pattern.
Disney’s move to cast a high-profile influencer was seen as an attempt to re-energize declining ratings for The Bachelorette. The choice also raised questions about vetting and the risks of cross-promoting stars who are already enmeshed in other reality projects.
Impact on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and ongoing production
Hulu’s SLOMW premiered to strong viewership and spawned multiple seasons. Filming paused in 2023 during legal proceedings and has continued intermittently. Reports this week indicate production on a fifth season was halted amid a separate investigation into alleged domestic violence, though specifics are scarce.
Cast members have experienced career boosts from the show, with appearances on Dancing with the Stars and theater roles among the outcomes for some participants.
Current status of the Bachelorette season and what networks are doing
ABC has not announced whether Paul’s season will ever air. Disney has said the suspension is temporary while the company evaluates the situation and supports those affected.
For now, ABC scheduled a rerun of American Idol in the timeslot. It is unclear when, or if, Hulu will resume filming SLOMW and whether Disney will revisit the Bachelorette season once investigations conclude.
Key points to watch
- Official findings from police inquiries and any new evidence reported.
- Statements or legal filings from either party that clarify what happened.
- Decisions by Disney, ABC and Hulu about airing or resuming production.
