Taylor Frankie Paul ‘Knows There’s No Redeeming Herself’ Amid Allegations, ‘Bachelorette’ Cancellation

Taylor Frankie Paul is leaning into her faith. “Prayer is exactly what pulls us through, prayer is the only reason I’m still standing,” the reality star commented on a March 23 TikTok video posted by a supportive fan, following ABC’s cancellation of her season of The Bachelorette on March 19. The unprecedented move was prompted by the release of disturbing footage — posted by TMZ — from a 2023 incident in which the mom of three appears to throw a metal bar stool at her ex Dakota Mortensen and ends up hitting her crying daughter, Indy, then 5.

The fallout has been brutal. ABC is under fire for filming with Taylor despite her history of alleged domestic violence — it’s public knowledge the MomTok founder, 31, was arrested following the 2023 dust-up (she pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and was given probation) — and on March 15, outlets reported season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives had paused filming amid another recent altercation between Taylor and Dakota, 33. Many of the men from Taylor’s season have spoken out about the cancellation, and there’s talk the entire Bachelor franchise is doomed. And on March 25, news broke of yet another clash between the exes, this one from 2024. Taylor, meanwhile, “is in pieces,” says a source. (She shares Indy, now 8, and son Ocean, 5, with ex-husband Tate Paul and son Ever, 2, with Dakota.) “She’s struggling to process how disastrous things have turned out.”

Downward Spiral

Taylor’s world has been turned upside down. “She knows there’s no redeeming herself,” says the source, adding that the reality star is worried the 2023 video footage will be used against her in two open domestic violence investigations involving her and Dakota. One — which has allegations from both sides — is believed to have happened in late February. That same month, West Jordan, Utah, police say Dakota reported the second incident, which took place in 2024. Investigators are currently reviewing multiple videos of that fight, a spokesperson told NBC in late March, and had not yet heard Taylor’s side of the story. “Taylor’s freaking out about her reputation and her spiraling legal bills,” notes the source, “but the thought of losing her kids is her biggest nightmare.” (One plus for Taylor: TMZ reported that she’ll receive her full salary from ABC for fulfilling her contractual obligations.)

Fans of Mormon Wives are well aware of the toxic nature of Taylor’s on/off romance with Dakota since the show debuted in 2024 (they split in early 2025 after two years of dating). After TMZ posted the video, the exes released a war of words via rep statements. Taylor said she suffered “extensive mental and physical abuse” and accused Dakota of leaking the clip, “which conveniently omits context,” while he denied her “baseless claims.”

Still, the source says people in Taylor’s inner circle are concerned she’ll get back together with him. “They are the epitome of a toxic couple,” says the source. “They’re still like a drug to each other.”

Ripple Effect

Meanwhile, Taylor’s season 22 suitors have been robbed of the opportunity to find love (and fame!) via the show. “A lot of the guys are bitter about being chewed up and spit out,” reveals the source. (TMZ reported that Taylor “had a full-fledged meltdown” and “stormed off set” when contestant Corey Hux asked her about her 2023 arrest during filming.)

Some offered support on social media. Rumored final rose recipient Doug Mason, who was seen entering a residence in L.A. with Taylor to film on March 14, said he was “sending out prayers to Taylor,” while Malik Evans said he was “doing okay” and would “share more soon.” Clayton Johnson diverted the attention to his castmates, saying, “any woman would be lucky to be with any of these guys.”

The franchise is clearly in trouble. “The name Bachelorette, Bachelor is tainted at this point,” season 13 Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay said on the Bachelor Party podcast on March 19. “How do you move forward…. You can’t.” And Bethenny Frankel said on Instagram that contestants have a viable legal case against ABC. “This scandal has shaken the reality TV genre to the core,” says the source, noting that “there will need to be a major reckoning” if the long-running ABC show “wants to survive.”