The Disney-owned network pulled the season after footage surfaced showing Paul in an altercation, leading to the show's cancellation just before its premiere.
ABC announced the cancellation of the new season of The Bachelorette after domestic abuse allegations emerged against its star, Taylor Frankie Paul. The network cited newly released video footage from 2023 showing Paul in an altercation with her ex-partner as the reason for the decision.
Paul, a TikTok influencer and star of Hulu's Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, was arrested in 2023 related to the incident and later pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, according to U.S. media reports. The season was set to premiere on Sunday but was pulled by ABC.
Network's Response and Show Details
A Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson stated that the decision came after the footage surfaced on Thursday, published by TMZ. ABC did not specify what programming would replace the show in its scheduled timeslot.
Before the cancellation, Paul appeared on ABC's Good Morning America on Wednesday to promote the series. During the interview, she described the time as "a heavy time" amid the headlines and the upcoming release.
Paul confirmed that production on the next season of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has paused. Her co-star Mikayla Matthews stated on social media that the cast decided to halt filming due to the ongoing situation.
Paul gained popularity on TikTok as part of #MomTok, a group of young mothers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah, sharing dance videos and parenting content. In 2022, she announced her divorce and revealed that she and her husband had engaged in relationships with other couples during their marriage.
The cancellation affects the popular dating show, which is produced by ABC, a Disney-owned network. Television industry sources indicate this marks a significant disruption for the franchise, though no further details on future seasons were provided.
