ABC is nixing the upcoming season of “The Bachelorette” amid controversy surrounding the show’s star Taylor Frankie Paul.
The show’s last-minute cancelation follows video obtained by TMZ that appears to show Paul engaged in a physical altercation with her ex, Dakota Mortensen, while their young child is present.
“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,” a spokesperson for Disney Entertainment Television, which oversees ABC, said.
Despite reports about recent feuding between Paul and Mortenson interrupting production on their reality TV show, “The Secret Lives of Mormon Lives,” TMZ said no one at ABC had seen footage of their 2023 fight before it was posted Thursday.
The video seems to show Paul wildly swinging at Mortenson while a shaky camera recorded.
“This is called physical abuse,” he says.
Paul then begins throwing furniture at Mortenson as he says, “Your daughter is right here!”
A child can be heard crying, “Mommy!” off-screen.
Paul reportedly has an 8-year-old daughter named Indy, whom Mortenson claims was hit with a metal chair during the fracas.
She and Mortenson have been in an on-again, off-again relationship since 2022, according to People.
The couple were reportedly instructed to undergo psychiatric evaluations after Mortensen reported Paul to the Utah Division of Child and Family Services on more than one occasion for allegedly abusing the couple’s nearly 2-year-old son.
She denies those accusations.
According to TMZ, Mortensen recently disappeared for three weeks after the former couple became engaged in a heated argument while driving in his car.
Each reportedly accused the other of getting physical.
It was reported by People that some women on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” distanced themselves from Paul after the incident, which is being blamed for delaying production.
The 22nd season of “The Bachelorette” was scheduled to premiere on Sunday, featuring Paul. The “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” began its fourth season on March 12.
