Taylor Frankie Paul is addressing the cancellation of her season of The Bachelorette!
In case you missed it, just three days before the premiere, a spokesperson for Disney Entertainment Television announced on Thursday that ABC would no longer air The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star’s Bachelorette-based journey to find love. It came after a video of her horrific fight with Dakota Mortensen in 2023 surfaced amid their latest alleged domestic dispute drama. In the clip, Taylor puts her baby daddy in a chokehold, hits him, hurls metal barstools at him, and more. One chair even hit her then-5-year-old daughter, Indy, resulting in an injury. Just awful…
Related: Former Bachelorette DeAnna Feels ‘Sad’ For Taylor Frankie Paul!
That ultimately led to her arrest, and she pleaded guilty to aggravated assault. The other charges — domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse, and criminal mischief — were dropped.
ABC reportedly hadn’t seen the alarming video of the incident before it was released publicly. And although the network planned to continue with Season 22 of The Bachelorette despite the investigation into her alleged domestic assault with Dakota, it appears the video was the final straw, and they cut ties with Taylor.
Now, the 31-year-old reality star is reacting to the news… and maintaining her innocence. A spokesperson for Taylor told People on Thursday:
“Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security. 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.”
According to the spokesperson, the MomTok star “has remained silent” over the alleged mental and physical abuse she has suffered out of fear:
“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. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story.”
Oof. This situation is far from over.
At this time, there is no news about Mormon Wives, which is on pause due to the recent events.
What are your reactions to her statement, Perezcious readers? Let us know in the comments (below).
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Consider calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or text START to 88788, or go to https://www.thehotline.org/.
[Image via Bachelor Nation on ABC/YouTube, Dakota Mortensen/Instagram]
