Disney Cancels 'The Bachelorette' Season Featuring Taylor Frankie Paul Amid Domestic Violence Controversy
Disney's ABC network canceled a season of 'The Bachelorette' starring reality television personality Taylor Frankie Paul just before its scheduled premiere in March 2026. The decision followed the release of a video showing Paul physically assaulting her former partner Dakota Mortensen in 2023. The cancellation potentially results in a $70 million financial loss for Disney, which had invested approximately $5 million per episode for the nine-episode season licensed from Warner Bros. The incident has prompted scrutiny of executive decision-making at Disney, including new leadership under Dana Walden, and led to advertisers withdrawing support. Paul, known for Hulu's 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,' faces a police investigation in Draper City, Utah, regarding a separate domestic violence incident in February 2026, and has temporarily lost custody of her son.
Key facts
- Disney canceled 'The Bachelorette' season starring Taylor Frankie Paul days before its March 2026 premiere due to a video showing domestic violence.
- The cancellation may cost Disney $70 million from a $5 million per episode investment for nine episodes licensed from Warner Bros.
- Taylor Frankie Paul is under police investigation in Draper City, Utah, for a February 2026 domestic violence incident with ex-partner Dakota Mortensen.
- Disney executives, including new president Dana Walden, face questions about casting Paul despite awareness of her past altercations.
- Advertisers like Cinnabon have pulled support, and Disney has paused production on Hulu's 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives'.
Entities
Institutions
- Disney
- ABC
- Warner Bros.
- Hulu
- Jeff Jenkins Productions
Locations
- Draper City, Utah