Why ABC Had to Scrap ‘The Bachelorette’

Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment Once the video came out, ABC had no choice. On Thursday, just three days ahead of the scheduled premiere of Taylor Frankie Paul ‘s ( The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives ) Bachelorette season, TMZ posted leaked video of a February 2023 domestic violence incident involving Paul and her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen. The two share a son who, like Mortensen, is featured on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives ; Paul’s children from a previous relationship are not on the Hulu reality show. In the very disturbing video, Paul is seen hitting Mortensen and throwing kitchen bar stools at him. One stool appears to hit her daughter, who can be heard crying and screaming “Mommy!” Mortensen says in the cell phone video that the daughter was hit in the head with the stool. Paul was arrested. Related Stories TV Taylor Frankie Paul Reacts to Her 'Bachelorette' Season Being Pulled: "Very Grateful for ABC's Support" TV ABC Pulls 'The Bachelorette' Amid Taylor Frankie Paul Domestic Incident Investigation, Video Leak Six months after the incident, Paul pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault, which is a third-degree felony, according to the local Salt Lake City Fox affiliate . As part of the plea agreement, two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child — another third-degree felony — as well as a class-A misdemeanor charge of child abuse and a class-B misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief were dismissed. The fallout from Paul’s arrest was a major storyline on season one of Mormon Wives . Hours after the video first hit the web, ABC/ Disney scrapped the completed season of The Bachelorette . Executives knew of the arrest and charges, but had not seen the video until today’s leak, The Hollywood Reporter is told. The executives were unaware that...