Taylor Frankie Paul Speaks Out Amid Bachelorette Cancellation.

After it was announced that ABC had canceled Paul’s season of The Bachelorettefollowing the release of a 2023 video showing the TikTok star fighting with her ex, Dakota Mortensen, Paul shared a statement via her rep, with People, in which she thanked the network for their support, and vowed to prioritize her family and the safety of her children, after suffering what she’s calling “extensive mental and physical abuse” at the hands of her ex.

Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security. 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. 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.

Paul’s statement comes after ABC pulled the plug on season 22 on Thursday, amid the widely-circulating video and a fresh round of domestic violence claims from last month. In a statement shared by a Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson, the network revealed that it had decided “to not move forward” with The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives star’s season of the show.

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.

The video, shared by TMZ, shows Paul throwing metal chairs at her ex, with whom she shares a 2-year-old son, Ever, one of which reportedly struck her daughter, Indy, 8, whom she shares with ex-husband Tate Paul. Paul was arrested following the domestic violence dispute and met with misdemeanor charges, including assault, criminal mischief, and domestic violence in the presence of a child. Paul, who also shares a son, Ocean, 5, with her ex, ultimately pleaded guilty in abeyance to aggravated assault — meaning the charge would be dismissed if she meets certain conditions — while the remaining charges were dropped.

As for the new round of domestic violence allegations, it was reported earlier this week that the former couple was involved in an open “domestic assault investigation.” The alleged incident went down sometime last month, with authorities telling People that they were in contact with both parties on February 24 and 25, but declined to share further details as an investigation by the Draper City Police Department in Utah remains ongoing.

Mortensen, meanwhile, has filed for a restraining order from Paul. In documents obtained by TMZ, Mortensen detailed what he described as a “chaotic” and “frightening” series of incidents on Feb. 23 and 24, alleging that Paul was “emotionally volatile” during the altercation. In addition to the restraining order, Mortensen is also seeking temporary custody of Ever and requested that Paul refrain from drinking or using drugs during her parenting time.

The news also prompted a pause in production of SLOMW season 5, which was currently filming after airing its fourth season earlier this month.