Maura Higgins Emerges as Frontrunner for Bachelorette Role After Show's Sudden Cancellation
In a dramatic turn of events for reality television, Love Island star Maura Higgins is reportedly being lined up as the next Bachelorette after the show was abruptly axed in the wake of Taylor Frankie Paul's domestic violence arrest. The 35-year-old Irish television personality is said to be among the top names being considered by network executives following the shocking cancellation of the upcoming season.
Season 22 Scrapped Just Days Before Premiere
Season 22 of The Bachelorette had been scheduled to premiere on March 22, with Mormon Wives star Taylor Frankie Paul, 31, set to lead the series. However, the network pulled the show just days before its launch after a disturbing 2023 video surfaced showing Taylor attacking her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, 33, with her minor daughter present during the altercation.
According to gossip site Deux Moi, an anonymous tip has suggested that Maura Higgins could step in as a replacement, capitalizing on her growing popularity in the United States. The tip claimed: 'ABC exec friend said that they are looking into getting Maura Higgins to be the new Bachelorette and do a live shooting of it. They shut down Layla and Miranda as a dual season and are trying to steer away from the SLOMW girlies.'
Network Response and Financial Fallout
The video, which was first published by TMZ, sparked immediate backlash and led to Taylor's season of The Bachelorette being canceled just three days before it was due to air. In a statement, Disney executives attributed the decision to cancel the series to the clip and emphasized their focus was on 'supporting the family'.
The statement elaborated: 'In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family.'
The bombshell decision to cancel the show could cost ABC up to $28 million, with filming costs for The Bachelorette totaling approximately $2 million per episode. Additionally, filming has been halted on Taylor's other television project – the fifth series of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives – after cast members reportedly told Hulu executives that they didn't feel comfortable continuing to work with Taylor.
Conflicting Statements from Both Parties
In a statement released to the Daily Mail after the video surfaced, Taylor claimed she had been the victim of abuse at Dakota's hand and stated: 'There are too many women suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives.'
The statement continued: 'Taylor is very grateful for ABC's support as she prioritises 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.'
Taylor added that she has previously 'remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation and public shaming' and is currently exploring all options while seeking support and preparing to share her story.
Dakota Mortensen's Response
Dakota Mortensen, meanwhile, responded through a statement to Entertainment Weekly, emphasizing that his priority was protecting their toddler son. A representative told the outlet: 'His number one priority here is protecting their son, Ever. He knew there was a possibility it could come out, but he was not going to be the one to proactively do that because he has always wanted a decent relationship with Taylor.'
The spokesman added: 'It's been really hard to achieve that, but he wants to co-parent well. He was just hoping that if he says nothing, as he usually does, it would go away. He's never done any kind of sit-down interview about his side. He kind of just lets it all happen to him, and I think he realizes with the severity of everything now that he just can't do that.'
Background of the Relationship
Taylor and Dakota have been in an on-again, off-again relationship since 2022 when the 31-year-old shot to public consciousness as part of a 'soft swinging' scandal that saw her admit to cheating on then-husband Tate Paul. The exes, who have a daughter and a son together, subsequently divorced, adding another layer of complexity to the current controversy.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Maura Higgins' representative for comment regarding the potential Bachelorette role, but no official confirmation has been provided at this time. As the network navigates this public relations crisis, the possibility of Maura Higgins stepping into the spotlight represents a significant shift in strategy for the popular reality franchise.
