Disney Cancels $8.2M 'Bachelorette' Because Real Drama Is Too Much Drama
KEY POINTS
- ā¢In September, ABC cast Taylor Frankie Paul, a 31-year-old TikTok influencer and Hulu reality star, as the next Bachelorette to revive its declining franchise.
- ā¢Despite $8.2 million spent on promos and completed filming, the network canceled the season due to an ongoing 2023 domestic violence investigation involving Paul and her ex, Dakota Mortensen.
- ā¢The controversy traces back to Paul's felony aggravated assault plea and a leaked contentious video, all chronicled on Hulu's 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.'
Taylor Frankie Paul, a 31-year-old TikTok-famous Mormon mom with a flair for chaos, was set to star in 'The Bachelorette' Season 22, promising a 'break-the-mold' moment for ABC's franchise drowning in declining ratings. After racking up Hulu record-breaking views with 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,' featuring bombshell confessions of 'soft swinging' and a police bodycam arrest tape from a 2023 altercation with ex Dakota Mortensen, Paulās season was snapped up for $8.2 million in promos alone. Just three days before premiere, ABC pulled the plug amid ongoing domestic violence investigations and a leaked disturbing video. Itās the franchiseās biggest plot twist since... well, forever.
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(1 of 3)Casting a reality star with a felony and a leaked domestic violence video sounded bold until Disney realized chaos is expensive, messy, and inconvenient. Sorry, ABC, reality bites, but maybe $8.2 million in promos shouldāve been your first clue.
Nothing screams 'romantic lead' like a felony assault charge and a 'soft swinging' confession. Bachelor Nation just learned chaos doesnāt play nice with million-dollar logos.
ABC tried to punk-up their rose ceremonies with a TikTok scandal magnet, but forgot one thing: pick your mess carefully, or the mess will pick you.
Source: Businessinsider | Published: 3/20/2026 | Author: Samantha Rollins
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