Reality star Taylor Frankie Paul has released another statement following the cancellation of her season of “The Bachelorette,” promising to reveal more of her story soon.
The 31-year-old “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” alum released the update via her spokesperson. This came after a video of an alleged domestic violence incident between her and then-partner Dakota Mortensen was released to TMZ and then blasted all over social media.
“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,” the statement said, per People.
“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. Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation and public shaming. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story.”
A previous statement from Paul’s rep noted that the video “omits context” and insinuated that Mortensen was the abuser, not the victim.
A Disney Entertainment spokesperson announced Thursday that this season of “The Bachelorette,” which Paul was starring in, was put on hold. “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 statement said.
“The Bachelorette” was slated to premiere this Sunday, on March 22. The network is projected to lose millions due to the cancellation, from advertising dollars to viewers to wasted promotion fees and beyond.
The decision was made shortly after TMZ published a video of Paul getting into a physical altercation with Mortensen, the father of her child, Ever. Paul has the majority custody of Ever. She also has two children, daughters Indy and Ocean, 5, with her ex-husband, Tate Paul.
“This is called physical abuse,” Mortensen can be heard saying as he films their fight. Paul can be seen throwing chairs at him while her daughter, Indy, now 8, was in the room and crying.
Mortensen says at another point, “Your daughter just got hit in the head by a metal chair.”
The incident occurred in 2023. Paul pled guilty in abeyance to aggravated assault at the time, meaning that if she complied with the conditions of the plea, that charge would be dismissed.
The newest season of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” was also put on hold just days before the cancellation because of “some pretty serious stuff happening regarding [Paul’s] past,” a source told People.
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