ABC pulls Taylor Frankie Paul's 'Bachelorette' over domestic abuse allegations

ABC has cancelled Taylor Frankie Paul's upcoming "Bachelorette" season amid backlash from an ongoing police investigation into the reality TV star and her ex-partner, Dakota Mortensen.

The cancellation of Season 22 of the show, starring "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," came after the Draper City Police Department in Northern Utah revealed an ongoing "domestic assault investigation" involving Paul and Mortensen, who have both reportedly leveled allegations, People reported.

"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 Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson told USA TODAY Thursday, March 19.

As the Season 22 lead, Paul became the first star to helm a season despite not appearing on "The Bachelor" as a contestant previously. The new season was set for a Sunday, March 22, premiere.

Authorities contacted both parties last on Feb. 24 and 25, the police department told the outlet.

Following news of the new season being pulled off the air, Paul broke her silence in a statement to People magazine and Variety. "Taylor is very grateful for ABC's support as she prioritizes her family's safety and security," the statement read.

Taylor Frankie Paul breaks her silence after 'Bachelorette' was cancelled at ABC

"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," the statement from her spokesperson continued. "There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives."

"Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation, and public shaming," Paul's statement concluded. "She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story."

In a Tuesday, March 17 statement to People, Paul had also said, "Just the timing is hard, and it's a big deal. I feel like every premiere that I've experienced, I've never enjoyed fully, so this is another one … it's extremely hard, and it took everything to get me here today."

Paul is the unofficial star of "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," which exploded in popularity since its 2024 premiere, following several women who brand themselves "MomTok." She garnered a large audience after admitting on social media that she and another couple belonging to the church of the Latter-day Saints were "soft swinging."

USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for "Mormon Wives" for comment.

'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' Season 5 production paused over alleged Taylor Frankie Paul domestic abuse allegations

The investigation also prompted the pausing of "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" during its Season 5 production, Paul confirmed in a "Good Morning America" interview on March 18. The reality star added she didn't know how long the pause would last.

"When your life is broadcasted out there in these headlines, it's like the end of the world. That's what it feels like, I'm not going to lie," she said. "But I will say, I've been here before and I got through it and shared my story … so I'm hoping that I can do that again."

Her costar Mikayla Matthews addressed the pause in an Instagram Q&A on Thursday, March 19, saying, "It was a decision that all us girls came up with and agreed on," and "We didn't feel comfortable filming with everything that was happening."

Taylor Frankie Paul TMZ video from 2023 shows alleged altercation with ex

TMZ leaked a 2023 video showing an alleged altercation between the former couple, which the outlet reported is being used as evidence in the domestic violence case. The video shows Paul yelling, hitting and kicking Mortensen, who is recording, and then pulling his hair and holding him in a headlock.

"See, Taylor, this is all you do," Mortensen says in the video. "This is not OK."

The video also shows Paul throwing metal barstools at Mortensen, and then a child, identified as Paul's daughter, is heard crying. Paul is then heard yelling, "You did this."

The remainder of the video is obscured, but more movement and yelling are heard, including Paul's daughter crying for her mom. The sound of a doorbell ringing is heard at one point, after which Mortensen speaks to someone who says, "What's going on?" and Paul replies, "Nothing," while Mortensen says, "She is hammered."

The 2023 indictment alleged that her daughter was struck by "heavy, metal chairs” thrown at Mortensen, People reported. When reached by USA TODAY, the Draper Police Department issued a statement saying it "respects the rights and privacy of all citizens."

Taylor Frankie Paul addresses TMZ video

A spokesperson for Paul commented on TMZ's release of the 2023 video in a March 19 statement to People, saying, "It's sad to see the latest installment of his never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor without any regard for the consequences for their child."

"Releasing an old video, which conveniently omits context, on their son's birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior," the statement continues. "Thankfully, the public has seen this act before and knows who he is and sadly, many will recognize this pattern of manipulation, both in his actions on the show, and from their own experiences."

Paul previously opened up about the alleged assault in a September interview on "Call Her Daddy," where she called the moment "the worst night of my life."

How many children does Taylor Frankie Paul children have?

Paul has three children, including daughter Indy May Paul and son Ocean Paul, with whom she shares with her ex-husband, Tate Paul. She welcomed her son Ever True, whom she shares with Mortensen, on March 19, 2024.

Years after getting married in 2016, Taylor and Tate Paul revealed they were divorcing in June 2022, following a "emotional affair" she had while "soft swinging" with other couples in their shared friend group, according to People.

Taylor Paul and Mortensen began dating before filming "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," though their relationship was portrayed on the show after Ever True's birth in March 2024. The pair broke up around September, according to reports.

Contributing: Taijuan Moorman, Edward Segarra and KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY