RILEY RAINS / ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR

The new season of hit ABC reality show, “The Bachelorette,” was filmed and ready to release on March 22 — until parent company Disney canceled the screening because of a domestic violence offense involving main reality TV star, Taylor Frankie Paul. 

The ongoing Utah police investigation surrounds the “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star and her then-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen. TMZ published a video showing Paul throwing furniture at her partner. Fans witnessed Mortensen screaming and fighting Paul off while her child cried in the background.

“In  light  of    the   newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of   ‘The Bachelorette’ at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,” Disney Entertainment commented in a statement reported  by    the  Associated   Press.

USD sophomore Catherine McCarthy isn’t an avid fan of “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” or “The Bachelorette,” however, she was planning on tuning in for the newest seasons. McCarthy explained her change of plans in discovering Paul’s accusations. 

“I was   interested in watching this season, until it got canceled, but it’s valid it got canceled,” McCarthy said. “It’s crazy they took so much time editing it for  it to  end up like this.”

The video was taken in 2023. Shortly after, Paul was arrested and received several charges: two felony counts of domestic violence in  the  presence of a child, one felony count of aggravated assault, one misdemeanor   count   each  of child abuse and one count of criminal mischief. These charges were public knowledge prior to the filming of  “The    Bachelorette.” 

Some Toreros were confused as to why it was possible for Paul to gain the spot of the bachelorette. USD junior Abbie Wachter shared her reactions to Paul’s criminal charges.

“Honestly, I didn’t even know any of her charges and I’m pretty confused on the whole thing,” Wachter admitted. “And honestly, I don’t really know why they chose her. It didn’t really make any sense.”

Some Toreros, who are longtime fans of “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” and “The Bachelorette,”  were    not surprised   at   this   dramatic  change of events.  USD sophomore Skylar Grani reacted to the   reality  show’s    cancellation. 

“I am the biggest ‘Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ and ‘Bachelorette’ fan ever. They’ve known that Taylor Frankie Paul has been a controversial figure. This is expected.”

Paul is the mother of three children that range from 2 years old to 8 years old. At the time of the domestic violence situation, Paul’s youngest was a newborn. In 2023, Paul pleaded abeyance — a decision that waives nearly all rights that you have as a criminal defendant. The plea is similar to pleading guilty. 

While Paul has not directly spoken out about the situation, she appointed an anonymous spokesperson to release statements. This representative spoke to Variety and People Magazine, framing Paul as the victim  to   abuse, not the instigator. 

“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,” the spokesperson said. “There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives.”

Just days after Hulu released season four of “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” they announced that they will halt production for season five. With Toreros muttering about the Utah scandal, only time will tell what will happen next with “The Bachelorette.”

Disney canceled Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of ‘The Bachelorette’  just days before release. Photo courtesy of @bacheloretteabc/Instagram