The Daily Populous Friday March 20th, 2026 day edition
Authored by nbcnews.com and submitted by MakeItMoreFuckinLame

ABC has pulled Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette” just days before its Sunday premiere, a Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson confirmed to NBC News.

The move comes amid reports that the “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star and her ex, Dakota Mortensen, are involved in an ongoing domestic violence investigation.

A new video published by TMZ on Thursday showed Paul attacking Mortensen in front of her daughter in 2023, during an earlier incident.

“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,” Disney said in its statement.

A spokesperson for Paul said she 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.”

Paul “is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story,” the rep added.

Taylor Frankie Paul. Fred Hayes / Disney via Getty Images file

On Thursday, Mortensen, through his attorney, filed for a protective order against Paul. The filing was sent back because it was incomplete and an amended petition was requested, Salt Lake County District Court records show.

Paul popularized the online subculture known as “MomTok,” which resulted in the launch of Hulu’s “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” in 2024. The show, which follows a group of Utah-based Mormon moms who post videos on TikTok, has documented Paul and Mortensen’s on-again, off-again relationship, as well as the “MomTok” group’s falling out and rebuilding over the years.

Paul was tapped as the upcoming “Bachelorette” last September, a shock that fans hoped would revive a dying franchise. The MomToker has 6.1 million followers on TikTok and 2.3 million on Instagram.

Paul was charged with assault, criminal mischief and domestic violence in the presence of a child in the 2023 incident. Court records indicate that she pleaded guilty in abeyance to an aggravated assault charge in August 2025, and the other four charges were dismissed with prejudice.

The arrest played out in the first episode of season one of “Mormon Wives.” Ever, their son, was born about a year after that argument.

Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen. Getty Images

Three sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the pair is involved in an “ongoing investigation” but declined to provide details on the record.

Paul spoke out on the more recent allegations on “Good Morning America” on Wednesday, saying that it’s “been a heavy time to see the headlines.”

“But I will say, I’ve been here before, and I got through it, and, you know, shared my story, my light. So I’m hoping that I can do that again,” she said on “GMA.”

When reached by NBC News on Monday, the Draper Police Department in Utah declined to confirm the reports of a domestic dispute, saying its practice is “not to release details related to active investigations.”

The West Jordan Police Department in Utah confirmed to NBC News on Wednesday that it received a domestic violence allegation via phone call involving Paul but declined to give details about the allegation or any potential charges. It also did not know the exact date or time of the reported incident.

A spokesperson for the department said detectives were working on establishing the facts of the case.

The department confirmed to People reports of an open “domestic assault investigation” regarding Paul and Mortensen, and that “allegations have been made in both directions.”

Cinnabon was the first company to cut ties over the reported dispute.

“Cinnabon has made the decision to terminate its collaboration with The Bachelorette and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” the company said in a statement Tuesday. “Recent developments and allegations surrounding the lead cast member led us to reassess this collaboration as it no longer aligns with our brand values.”

“The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” paused filming of season five amid the reports, NBC News previously reported.

A source close to the matter said that Hulu mandated a weeklong break in filming after executives “witnessed” discussions of domestic violence during filming. When new information came to light that week, cast members told production members they would not continue filming unless Hulu took action on the situation.

Paul “needs help,” the source said, adding that the cast is hopeful production can pause long enough so she can get the care she needs.

That is where production stands, the source said. It is not clear when filming will resume. Season four premiered on Hulu on March 12.

havestronaut on March 20th, 2026 at 03:16 UTC »

Is this the one I just saw an ad for? If they already started ad buys, this is one EXPENSIVE debacle, sheesh.

RandoDude124 on March 20th, 2026 at 02:53 UTC »

I wouldn’t call them allegations based on the video I saw

epidemicsaints on March 20th, 2026 at 02:39 UTC »

They were fine with the allegations, charges, probation etc. They are saving face because the video came out where she strikes her five year old with a chair while beating her husband.

Hard to wrap your head around why they decided to even go through with it.

https://www.tmz.com/2026/03/19/video-of-taylor-frankie-paul-beating-dakota-mortensen/