ABC has pulled Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette” just days before its Sunday premiere, a Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson confirmed to NBC News.
The move comes amid reports that “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Paul and her ex, Dakota Mortensen, are involved in an ongoing domestic violence investigation.
A new video published by TMZ on Thursday shows Paul assaulting Mortensen in front of his daughter during an earlier incident in 2023.
“In light of the newly released video today, we have decided not to move forward with a new season of ‘The Bachelorette’ at this time and focus our attention on supporting the family,” Disney said in a statement.
Paul’s representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Paul popularized an online subculture known as “MomTalk,” which resulted in Hulu’s “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” debuting in 2024. The show, which follows a group of Utah-based Mormon moms who post videos on TikTok, documents Paul and Mortensen’s relationship. Reconstruction over the years.
Last September, Paul was tapped to star in the upcoming “Bachelorette,” which fans hoped would revive the dying franchise. MomTok has 6.1 million followers on TikTok and 2.3 million on Instagram.
Paul was charged with assault in the presence of a child, criminal mischief and domestic violence for the 2023 incident. She pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in August 2025 and four other charges were dismissed with prejudice, court records show.
The arrest was featured in the first episode of season one of “Mormon Wives”. Ever, their son, was born about a year after that argument.
Three sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the pair were involved in an “ongoing investigation” but declined to go into details on the record.
Paul spoke about the latest allegations on “Good Morning America” on Wednesday, saying it’s “a heavy time to look at the headlines.”
“But I will say, I’ve been here before and I’ve been through it and, you know, shared my story, my light. So I hope I can do it again,” Paul said on “GMA.”
When reached by NBC News on Monday, the Draper Police Department in Utah declined to confirm reports of a domestic dispute, saying its practice is “not to release details related to active investigations.”
The West Jordan Police Department in Utah confirmed to NBC News on Wednesday that the department received an allegation of domestic violence through a phone call involving Paul but declined to provide details about the allegation or any potential charges. They don’t even know the exact date or time of the reported incident.
A department spokesperson said detectives are working to establish the facts of the case.
The department confirmed to PEOPLE reports of an open “domestic assault investigation” into Paul and Mortensen, and that “allegations have been made in both directions.”
Cinnabon was the first company to cut ties over the reported dispute.
“Cinnaban has made the decision to end its association with The Bachelorette and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” the company said in a statement Tuesday. “Recent developments and allegations surrounding key cast members have led us to re-evaluate this collaboration as it no longer aligns with our brand values.”
NBC News previously reported that “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” has paused filming for season five amid reports.
Hulu mandated a one-week hiatus from filming after executives “witnessed” discussions of domestic violence during filming, according to a source close to the matter. When new information came to light that week, crew members told production members that they would not continue filming unless Hulu took action on the situation.
Paul “needs help,” the source says, adding that the cast hopes production can pause long enough so she can get the care she needs.
Sources said that production has stopped there. It is unclear when filming will resume. The show’s fourth season premiered on Hulu on March 12.
