Bachelorette Star's Arrest Video Surfaces, Season Canceled

Taylor Frankie Paul's season of The Bachelorette has been abruptly canceled by ABC following the viral spread of a video depicting her arrest in February 2023. The footage shows Paul appearing visibly intoxicated and emotional as officers question her about a domestic dispute with her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen. Investigators reported that a chair was thrown during the altercation.

Paul, who was 31 at the time of the incident, was arrested at her Utah home on misdemeanor charges, including felony aggravated assault, reckless child abuse, and domestic violence. She later accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to one count of aggravated assault, with other charges dismissed. The bodycam video reveals Paul slurring her words and expressing fear to the responding officers.

Mortensen told police that Paul, who had been dating for six months, had been struggling with personal issues and that alcohol exacerbated her behavior, leading her to "go ballistic." He described Paul throwing items, including her phone and heavy chairs, and jumping on his truck, causing damage. The incident occurred in front of their child.

The resurfaced video has led to significant backlash and prompted ABC to pull Paul's season of The Bachelorette, which was scheduled to premiere soon. Paul's representative has criticized Mortensen for releasing the video, calling it a "destructive campaign" and an "attention-seeking" act, particularly noting its release on their son's birthday.