Former Bachelorette lead Rachel Lindsay has claimed that the franchise is “tainted” after Taylor Frankie Paul’s upcoming season of the dating show was canceled.
ABC pulled the series Thursday after a violent video of Paul’s 2023 assault involving her ex, Dakota Mortensen, was leaked just days before the season was slated to premiere and prompted widespread backlash.
Lindsay, who became the first Black woman to lead the show during season 13, has claimed the series cannot move forward after the events that unfolded in the past week.
“I think it’s over,” she said during Friday’s episode of her podcast, Bachelor Party. “I was trying to think of a scenario where it could be different. Because this isn’t just, ‘Oh, we put it all on a person. This person did this.’ This is the system that allowed this to happen.” The Independent has contacted ABC for comment.
She continued: “The name Bachelorette, Bachelor is tainted at this point. How do you move forward past that? You can’t.”
Lindsay suggested that the network had already upset fans, since Paul’s casting marked the first time The Bachelorette had chosen someone outside of the franchise to lead the show (it is tradition that the Bachelorette is selected after they first appear as a contestant on The Bachelor).
“How do you trust this name, Bachelor, Bachelorette, that has meant something to people, moving forward?” Lindsay continued. “You don’t. You already questioned it when you moved Taylor Frankie Paul over. Now it is completely destroyed. Like, why did you guys think this was okay?”
News broke earlier this week that season five of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which catapulted Paul to reality TV fame in 2024, had paused production due to an alleged domestic dispute between Paul and Mortensen that happened February 24 and February 25 of this year. Draper City police said that allegations were made by both Paul and Mortensen and that no charges had been filed. Police refused to comment further to The Independent on the incident, citing the pending investigation.
Paul’s representatives later released a statement addressing the cancellation of The Bachelorette, stating that the reality star is “grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security.”
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Her spokesperson continued: “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.”
Mortensen later responded with a statement of his own, denying Paul’s allegations. “As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation,” he told Entertainment Weekly. “I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny. I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same.”
Paul was arrested and charged with aggravated assault in 2023 following an altercation with Mortensen that was chronicled on season one of SLOMW. In August of that year, she pleaded guilty to a third-degree felony count of aggravated assault; the other charges of criminal mischief and domestic violence against her were dropped. Paul is serving three years’ probation from that case.
The national domestic abuse helpline offers support for women on 0808 2000 247, or you can visit the Refuge website. There is a dedicated men’s advice line on 0808 8010 327. Those in the US can call the domestic violence hotline on 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org
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