ABC cancels Taylor Frankie Paul’s ‘Bachelorette’ season
Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of The Bachelorette has been canceled following the revelation of a “domestic assault investigation” by Utah State Police.
New allegations of domestic violence have reportedly surfaced against “The Secret of Mormon Mrs.” star Taylor Frankie Paul.
Paul, 31, has been in the spotlight even more this month after a video surfaced showing him in a heated argument with ex-partner Dakota Mortensen. The footage is related to an assault charge to which she has pleaded guilty, and snowballed into the cancellation of the next season of The Bachelorette, in which Paul was scheduled to star.
Now, NBC reports that the Mormon mom and influencer is being investigated for another domestic violence incident. The outlet reported on Wednesday, March 25, that Utah State Police are investigating domestic violence charges Mortensen filed against Paul in February, stemming from an encounter in 2024.
The allegations bring three charges against Paul, including a 2023 altercation and an alleged altercation in February that became public a week before her season of the ABC dating reality show aired.
Taylor Frankie Paul was reportedly charged in another domestic violence case in 2024
A spokesperson for the West Jordan, Utah, Police Department confirmed the report to NBC, but declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing public investigation.
Authorities said they are reviewing the video Mortensen submitted and that Mortensen was referred to the department by Draper police, who are investigating a separate incident involving the two men. Police told NBC they have not yet spoken to Paul, but have been in touch with his attorney and are asking him to provide a written statement or appear in court for questioning.
USA TODAY has reached out to Mortensen, Paul and the West Jordan Police Department for comment. Paul and Mortensen’s on-and-off relationship forms a major storyline on Secret Lives, and they have one son, Ever, 2. Paul has two children from a previous marriage.
Taylor Frankie Paul’s domestic violence allegations explained
In 2023, Paul filed for probation (a legal term for when a defendant pleads guilty but the court delays a conviction) for felony aggravated assault following an alleged domestic violence incident involving Mortensen. Video of the incident, released by TMZ on March 19, has since sparked heated debate on social media, leading to both “The Bachelorette” and “Secret Lives” suspending filming and promotion.
The aggravated assault charge will remain for three years until Paul meets the terms of his plea agreement, and will be reconsidered in August, according to reports. If she complies with the terms of the agreement, which include supervised probation and avoiding breaking the law for 36 months, the felony will be reduced to a Class A misdemeanor. Recent accusations could put that in jeopardy.
In another example, the Draper Police Department in northern Utah confirmed to People on March 16 that there was an ongoing “domestic assault investigation” involving Paul and Mortensen. Both suspects are reportedly leveling charges against each other. Law enforcement contacted them on February 24 and 25, a spokesperson told the outlet.
Mortensen has since reportedly applied for a confidentiality order against Paul.
Taylor Frankie Paul, Dakota Mortensen tell different stories
Since news of the investigation by Draper police broke, Paul and Mortensen have released statements holding the other party accountable.
Paul’s rep told People magazine and Variety that he is a victim of abuse.
“After enduring years of extensive emotional and physical abuse and threats of retaliation in silence, Taylor has finally found the strength to confront her accusers and is taking steps to ensure she and her children are protected from further harm,” the statement said. “Too many women suffer in silence while surviving ex-partners who are aggressive, jealous and refuse to move on with their lives.
“Taylor remains silent out of fear of further abuse, retribution, and public shaming,” the statement continued. “She is now considering all options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story.”
Mortensen’s rep said in his own statement to Entertainment Weekly on March 18 that his priority was to protect his children and that he was focused on co-parenting his children, even though he was aware that news of the police investigation could surface before Paul’s “Bachelorette” run.
“He knew this could lead to him coming out, but he wasn’t willing to do that because he always wanted a decent relationship with Taylor,” a rep told the publication. “I think he just kind of let everything happen to him and now he realizes in all its seriousness that he can’t do that.”
Contributor: KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY
