- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Draper Today
By the People, for the People
Disney Pulls Completed Season of The Bachelorette
Assault video involving star Taylor Frankie Paul leads to shelving of new season
Mar. 20, 2026 at 2:40am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
ABC's long-running dating franchise The Bachelorette has hit an unwanted reality TV milestone as Disney has pulled the completed new season just days before its scheduled premiere. The decision comes after the release of a video showing star Taylor Frankie Paul in a 2023 altercation with her boyfriend Dakota Mortenson, where she is seen repeatedly lunging at him and hurling metal barstools while a child is nearby. Paul was previously arrested and charged with aggravated assault and domestic violence in the presence of a child, though she later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge.
Why it matters
The Bachelorette is one of ABC's most popular and lucrative reality TV franchises, and this unprecedented move to shelve an entire completed season highlights the challenges networks face in navigating talent controversies and maintaining brand integrity. It also raises questions about the franchise's future and Disney's handling of domestic violence issues involving its stars.
The details
Disney says it is pulling the new season of The Bachelorette after the release of the video showing star Taylor Frankie Paul in the 2023 altercation with her boyfriend Dakota Mortenson. In the footage, Paul repeatedly appears to lunge at Mortenson and hurl metal barstools while a child is nearby. She was previously arrested and charged with aggravated assault and domestic violence in the presence of a child, though she later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge. Draper, Utah police say there is an ongoing domestic violence investigation involving both Paul and Mortenson, with accusations "made in both directions." The move leaves Season 22 of The Bachelorette - shot, edited, and scheduled to premiere Sunday - locked away with no airdate in sight.
- In 2023, Taylor Frankie Paul was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and domestic violence in the presence of a child.
- On Thursday, March 20, 2026, a video of the 2023 altercation involving Paul was published by TMZ.
The players
Taylor Frankie Paul
The star of the shelved season of The Bachelorette, who was previously arrested and charged with aggravated assault and domestic violence in the presence of a child in 2023, though she later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge.
Dakota Mortenson
The boyfriend of Taylor Frankie Paul, who was involved in the 2023 altercation that led to Paul's arrest and the shelving of the new Bachelorette season.
Disney
The parent company of ABC, which has decided to pull the completed new season of The Bachelorette in the wake of the video showing star Taylor Frankie Paul's 2023 altercation with her boyfriend.
The takeaway
This case highlights the challenges networks face in navigating talent controversies and maintaining brand integrity, especially for high-profile reality TV franchises like The Bachelorette. It also raises questions about Disney's handling of domestic violence issues involving its stars and the future of the Bachelorette franchise.
