Bachelorette Contestants Threaten Legal Action After Show Cancelled Over Domestic Violence Scandal
Five contestants from Taylor Frankie Paul's season of The Bachelorette are allegedly considering legal action after their episodes were pulled due to her domestic violence scandal. The season was abruptly cancelled just days before its scheduled premiere after a shocking 2023 video surfaced showing the reality star attacking her then-boyfriend.
Shocking Video Leads to Immediate Cancellation
The decision to cancel came hours after TMZ published video footage from 2023 showing Paul, 31, throwing a stool at her then-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, 33, while her young daughter Indy was present. In the disturbing footage, Mortensen can be heard saying "Your daughter just got hit in the head by a metal chair" as the child cries in the background.
Paul, a mother of three, was arrested after the alleged domestic violence incident in 2023 and ultimately pled guilty to aggravated assault in the third degree. The video became crucial evidence in that case, which had been public knowledge for years before another domestic violence investigation was opened over a supposed incident from February of this year.
Contestants Consider Legal Action Against Network and Producers
Sources told TMZ that five men who participated in The Bachelorette to compete for Paul's affection are now weighing the possibility of filing lawsuits against ABC and producers Warner Bros Discovery. The suitors reportedly believe Warner Bros Discovery created an unsafe work environment by placing them in close quarters with Paul.
Further complicating matters, the contestants paused their lives—in some cases allegedly giving up employment—to pursue fame that will now never materialize since their episodes have been scrapped. The cancelled season will reportedly cost the network a staggering $28 million in losses.
Network Response and Ongoing Legal Complications
Disney Entertainment Television, which owns ABC, released a statement confirming the company had decided not to move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette just hours after the domestic violence footage was released. Disney said its "focus is on supporting the family" after cancelling the 22nd season, which was set to begin airing on Sunday, March 22.
The latest domestic assault allegations may have landed Paul in further legal trouble regarding her 2023 case. Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill told TMZ that prosecutors are evaluating how the new assault accusations might violate her ongoing probation from that case.
Conflicting Statements from Both Parties
Paul released a statement through her representative alleging she suffered "extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation" in silence for years. Her representative claimed "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."
Mortensen has since denied what he called "baseless claims" about himself and their relationship in a statement to The Daily Mail. He said: "As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation. I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny. I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same."
Paul said through a representative on Thursday that she is "very grateful for ABC's support as she prioritizes her family's safety and security." The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for both Paul and ABC for further comment on the developing situation.
