Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen break silence as ‘The Bachelorette’ is canceled after abuse claims and leaked video

The controversy surrounding Taylor Frankie Paul has taken center stage after a leaked video led to the abrupt cancellation of her season of The Bachelorette, and now, her response is drawing intense attention.

While the network moved swiftly to pull the show just three days before its March 22 premiere, citing a need to “support the family,” the situation has quickly evolved into a public battle of narratives between Paul and her ex-partner Dakota Mortensen.

Paul’s position and ongoing allegations

A spokesperson for Paul said in a statement according to PEOPLE, "Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes 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."


Mortensen, responding publicly, described the situation as “deeply upsetting” and rejected allegations about his behavior, stating he is focused on protecting their 2-year-old son, Ever.

"As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation," Mortensen said in a statement to PEOPLE. "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."

The video that changed everything

At the center of the fallout is a 2023 video published by TMZ, showing a heated and physical altercation between the former couple. In the footage, Taylor Frankie Paul appears to throw chairs at Mortensen while he films and attempts to keep distance.

The confrontation escalates, with physical aggression visible and objects being hurled across the room. A particularly troubling moment includes Mortensen saying a child had been struck during the incident: “Your daughter is right here,” Mortensen told Paul. “Your daughter just got hit in the head by a metal chair.”

The video’s release triggered immediate backlash, ultimately forcing ABC and Disney to halt the show’s launch.

The situation has now moved into the legal arena. Mortensen has filed for a protective order against Paul, with a hearing scheduled for April 7. The case adds another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation involving not just the couple, but their young child.

Paul, who is also a mother of two from her previous marriage, now faces both legal scrutiny and public pressure as details continue to emerge.

Career in jeopardy

The fallout has extended beyond The Bachelorette. Production on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, where Paul’s personal life has been a central storyline, has reportedly been paused due to the seriousness of the situation.

Her rise from social media fame to reality TV prominence is now overshadowed by controversy, with industry observers questioning whether she can recover professionally.