© Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
There’s a good chance the new season of ‘The Bachelorette’ doesn’t air as scheduled.
For the past few weeks, Taylor Frankie Paul, who was set to be this season’s ‘Bachelorette’, has been at the center of domestic violence accusations.
Via NBC News
The West Jordan Police Department in Utah confirmed to NBC News on Wednesday that the department received a domestic violence allegation via phone call involving Paul but declined to give details about the allegation or any potential charges. They also did not know the exact date or time of the reported incident.
Paul was previously sighted for aggravated assault in 2023 for attacking her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, for which she pleaded guilty.
On Thursday, days before the premiere of the new season of The Bachelorette, TMZ obtained video of the 2023 incident, which shows Paul beating up Mortensen in front of their child.
Via TMZ
TMZ has obtained the video — a copy of which was evidence in the case — and it’s hard to watch. Dakota struggles to record the altercation with his cellphone as Taylor puts him in a headlock. She backs off … but then charges and tries to kick him.
The struggle turns violent as Taylor grabs a metal barstool and hurls it at Dakota. He screams at her — “your daughter is sitting right there” — but she persists, throwing 2 more stools at him. At that moment, you hear her child, who was curled up on the couch, begin crying.
The police report says the 5-year-old girl was hit and later had a “goose egg on her head.”
🚨 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.
Trigger Warning. https://t.co/77CKYpLxvn pic.twitter.com/avr49EacY3
— TMZ (@TMZ) March 19, 2026
ABC has yet to address the Paul situation despite losing sponsors following the latest allegations against her.
Earlier this week, Cinnabon announced they were pulling its sponsorship from the show due to Paul’s domestic violence accusations.
Via Variety
“Cinnabon has made the decision to terminate its collaboration with ‘The Bachelorette’ and ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.’ Recent developments and allegations surrounding the lead cast member led us to reassess this collaboration as it no longer aligns with our brand values.”