Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of The Bachelorette is set to premiere on ABC on Sunday, March 22, but not without controversy.
People reported Monday that the reality star is allegedly involved in a domestic violence investigation with her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, and that filming for Season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has been halted as a result.
Paul rose to fame after launching #MomTok, a group of Mormon mothers who create viral social media content while pushing back against traditional church norms. ABC announced Paul as the franchise’s newest lead in September, marking just the second time someone with no prior connection to the series has been chosen to lead The Bachelorette.
Beginning next week, viewers will watch Paul, a mother of three, meet 22 eligible men, go on weekly dates and potentially get engaged at the end of the season. However, the unfolding controversy raises questions about whether her journey will air at all amid the ongoing controversy and reported domestic violence investigation involving Mortensen, with whom she shares a son, Ever.
MORE FROM FORBES‘The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives’ Season 4: Start Time, How To Watch And What To KnowBy Monica Mercuri
Her complicated relationship with Mortensen has continued to be a focus on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. The most recent fourth season, filmed just before production began on The Bachelorette, revealed that Paul spent the night with Mortensen shortly before departing to film the upcoming season.
Paul admitted in a confessional that their night together “doesn’t look the best” in reference to her upcoming role as The Bachelorette. “No matter what, my mistakes, his mistakes, I always come No. 1,” Paul said in Season 4. “He always chooses me at the end of the day. So yeah, it does get confusing.”
What’s Going On With Taylor Frankie Paul And Her Ex Dakota Mortensen?
THE SECRET LIVES OF MORMON WIVES – Season 3 – #Momtok is back, but damaging revelations and allegations threaten its future. The members face a crisis of friendship as loyalties shift, trust is tested, and the lines between fact and fiction blur. When the pursuit of the truth calls character into question, a war over morality begins and a clash between #Momtok and #Dadtok erupts. With their sisterhood and everything they’ve built hanging in the balance, can the women find a path forward to salvation? Or will their collective sins destroy #Momtok for good? (Disney/Natalie Cass)TAYLOR FRANKIE PAUL (Photo by Natalie Cass/Disney via Getty Images)
Disney via Getty Images
According to People, Paul and Mortensen were involved in an alleged domestic violence incident in late February that is now under investigation, with a spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department confirming to the outlet that “allegations have been made in both directions.”
The spokesperson added that contact was made with the involved parties on Feb. 24 and 25 but declined to provide further details due to the ongoing investigation.
Sources also told People that Paul’s MomTok co-stars are reportedly distancing themselves from her. “None of the women want to be associated with her,” one source said.
Production on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has also allegedly been impacted. “They are not filming,” a source told People. “Taylor has some pretty serious stuff happening regarding her past, and they will see what happens. Until that resolves, they are off.”
TMZ was the first outlet to report that production on Season 5 has been paused. “For now, it’s unclear how long production will remain paused or whether cameras will resume rolling soon… but we’re told they’re taking the matter seriously and handling with caution,” the site reported.
This isn’t Paul’s first run-in with the law. In February 2023, she was arrested and faced misdemeanor charges for “assault, criminal mischief, and commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child,” according to a statement from the Herriman Police Department, cited by People at the time. She was accused of throwing a chair that allegedly struck her daughter, per CBS News.
Is The Bachelorette Season 22 Canceled?
THE BACHELORETTE – ABC’s “The Bacheloretteė stars Taylor Frankie Paul. (Disney/Sami Drasin)
Disney
Despite the ongoing investigation, The Bachelorette Season 22 remains on schedule. ABC shared a promotional teaser on Tuesday, March 17, signaling the network is proceeding with the season as planned. However, that could change if backlash against the network intensifies in the coming days.
Some viewers have already taken to social media to call for Paul’s season to be pulled.
“It’s comforting to see that all of the comments are in agreement. Take the loss ABC & move on,” one commenter wrote under the promo.
“Why are you promoting a show that involves someone under investigation by child and family services?” another added.
“Disappointing that ABC is moving forward with this when there’s an ongoing DV investigation, including child abuse allegations. If anything, it should be put on pause until everything is completed. I hope the network sees these comments and that advertisers pull out,” a third viewer wrote.
Paul has not publicly addressed the allegations. I’ve reached out to representatives for Paul and ABC for comment.