Bachelorette Canceled Over Star's Violent Video

ABC has canceled the 22nd season of The Bachelorette, originally set to premiere on Sunday, March 22, 2026. The network announced the decision on Thursday, March 19, 2026, after a video surfaced showing lead Taylor Frankie Paul throwing chairs at her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, in 2023. The incident, which occurred in the presence of her child, led to Paul's arrest and misdemeanor charges.

This abrupt cancellation is projected to result in significant financial losses for ABC, potentially reaching tens of millions of dollars. Losses are expected across various revenue streams, including license fees, marketing expenditures, and advertising sales. Each episode is reportedly estimated to cost $2 million to produce.

Warner Bros. TV Group, the show's producer, now faces challenges in distributing the season internationally. The network has removed Paul and The Bachelorette from its official website. The legal proceedings involving Paul saw her plead guilty in abeyance to aggravated assault, with other charges dismissed, contingent on her compliance with plea conditions.

Taylor Frankie Paul's representatives stated she endured years of abuse and is seeking protection. Dakota Mortensen denied these claims, asserting his focus on their son's safety. The two have a complex relationship history, documented in part on the Hulu series 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,' and are involved in an ongoing domestic assault investigation with allegations made in both directions.