Disney-owned ABC had widely promoted the show’s 22nd season, in which 22 men compete for a relationship with a single woman, even following her through Sunday night’s Oscars.
But on Thursday, the network canceled the glossy series – whose $2 million episodes began filming last year – over shocking footage of a domestic altercation involving “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Taylor Frankie Paul.
“In light of the new video released today, we have made the decision not to move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time,” a Disney spokesperson said in a statement to AFP.
“Our goal is to support the family.”
The video, obtained by the entertainment outlet TMZ, shows Paul attacking Dakota Mortensen, his partner at the time.
In the footage, apparently filmed by Mortensen with a mobile phone, Paul insults him, kicks him and puts him in a headlock.
He then begins throwing metal stools across the room at her, one of which appears to deflect toward his young daughter.
Mortensen can be heard asking her to stop and urging her to take care of her crying son, as she continues to yell insults at him.
The incident took place in Utah in February 2023, according to police, who arrested Paul on multiple charges, including domestic violence in the presence of a minor.
While the footage is new, Paul’s arrest and subsequent conviction appeared on previous seasons of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.”
Now questions will likely be asked about how much due diligence “The Bachelorette” producers did before casting the lead role for the Sunday night primetime show, which had expensive sponsorship deals with brands like Cinnabon.
Paul, a social media influencer, went viral in 2022 after revealing that she and her then-husband had been “softly hooking up” with other Mormon couples.
The Hulu show “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” followed the malicious fallout of the revelation among a group of Utah-based TikTok influencers, and has aired for several seasons so far.
Paul, 31, has not commented on the matter through her social media channels, but local media published a statement from one of her representatives in which the reality star says she is “very grateful for ABC’s support.”
“After years of silently suffering extensive physical and mental abuse, as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and take steps to ensure she and her children are protected from further harm.”
“She is currently exploring all her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story.”