Summary (tl;dr)

The highly anticipated Season 22 of "The Bachelorette," starring Taylor Frankie Paul, has been canceled by ABC just days before its scheduled March 22, 2026 premiere, following the emergence of a 2023 video depicting a domestic violence incident involving Paul.

Essential Background

Taylor Frankie Paul, a social media influencer and star of "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," was set to make history as the first "Bachelorette" lead not to have originated from a previous season of "The Bachelor" franchise. Her season was fully filmed and poised to debut on Sunday, March 22, 2026, with episodes typically available for streaming on Hulu the day after their broadcast. Paul had a documented past, including a 2023 arrest for aggravated assault following an altercation with her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, an incident that was also covered on her other reality show.

The Full Story

ABC and Disney Entertainment Television officially announced the cancellation of "The Bachelorette" Season 22 on March 19, 2026, abruptly pulling the plug on the season just three days before its planned premiere. This decisive action was prompted by the release of a 2023 video by TMZ, which allegedly shows Paul engaged in a domestic violence incident with her ex-partner, Dakota Mortensen, throwing chairs, with one reportedly hitting their child. Compounding this, there is an ongoing domestic assault investigation from February 2026 involving both Paul and Mortensen. In light of these developments, Disney Entertainment Television stated that they would "not move forward with the new season" and that their "focus is on supporting the family." Consequently, the season will not air on ABC (where an "American Idol" rerun will take its place) nor stream on Hulu as initially scheduled. "One Tree Hill" alumna Jana Kramer has weighed in on the controversy, publicly criticizing ABC for what she believes was a delayed response to Paul's alleged history of domestic violence.

Why It Matters

The unprecedented cancellation of a completely filmed season of a major reality television franchise like "The Bachelorette" signifies a significant financial blow to ABC and Disney, estimated to be in the tens of millions. This move underscores a strong stance by the network to safeguard its brand integrity and public image against profiting from domestic violence controversies. The incident has ignited broader discussions within the entertainment industry regarding the vetting processes for reality TV stars and the ethical responsibilities of media corporations when talent is embroiled in serious allegations. Jana Kramer's vocal criticism further amplifies these conversations, highlighting public scrutiny over how such sensitive issues are managed by prominent media platforms.

Geographic Location

• Herriman, Utah, United States (location of 2023 domestic violence incident leading to Taylor Frankie Paul's arrest)
• Draper City, Utah, United States (location of ongoing domestic assault investigation involving Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen)