TMZ released a video on March 19 of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” and ABC’s most recent “Bachelorette” star Taylor Frankie Paul assaulting her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen.
The three-minute long clip from 2023 included the two arguing, Paul hitting Mortensen and even throwing a chair at one point, all in the presence of her young daughter.
The video was posted just three days prior to the premiere of her season on “The Bachelorette,” which was scheduled to air on March 22 on ABC. The same day, Disney, ABC’s parent company, announced the cancellation of the latest season.
“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,” Disney Entertainment Television said in a statement to AP News.
Paul’s spokesperson expressed her gratitude to ABC for the support in a statement. “After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm,” it stated.
The statement also mentioned how she had kept quiet about the alleged abuse due to “fear of further abuse, retaliation, and public shaming.” In response, Mortensen released his own statement.
“As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation,” he said. “I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny. I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same.”
According to NPR, the filmed incident lines up with the police report of Paul’s arrest on Feb. 17, 2023. “Responding officers conducted an investigation and determined that probable cause existed for the arrest of Taylor Frankie Paul (age 28) for the misdemeanor charges of assault, criminal mischief, and commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child,” it stated.
In addition, the report brings up how detectives collected more video evidence after she was booked and there was evidence that showed Paul’s daughter being injured due to “an action of Ms. Paul.” Therefore, she was screened for a misdemeanor charge of reckless child abuse.
Based on court records, NPR reported, “Paul agreed to plead guilty to the third-degree felony of aggravated assault and has been serving 36 months of probation.”
According to NBC News, “There are currently no criminal allegations against Mortensen, who filed a temporary restraining order against Paul and was granted temporary full custody of their 2-year-old son, Ever.”
Since the release of the video and following reports, fans online have been debating if this was a case of domestic abuse on Paul’s part or a reaction to abuse she has faced from Mortensen. It has been reported by police that both sides have made allegations against each other.
This is one of the three incidents that have involved domestic violence allegations between the former couple, according to Entertainment Weekly. A spokesman from the West Jordan Police Department revealed that another incident from 2024 was reported by Mortensen this year, along with alleged fights in February 2026. The cases are still being investigated and Paul and Mortensen are scheduled to make court appearances on April 7.
