Breaking News ABC Pulls The Bachelorette Season 22 Three Days Before Its Premiere
A first in Bachelor Nation history — an already-filmed season shelved before a single episode airs.
A first in Bachelor Nation history — an already-filmed season shelved before a single episode airs.
Official Statement — Disney Entertainment Television
"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."
What Happened
The cancellation came hours after TMZ published a 2023 video showing an altercation between Paul and Mortensen. The Draper City Police Department in Utah had already confirmed to media earlier in the week that Paul and Mortensen are the subjects of an open domestic assault investigation, noting that "allegations have been made in both directions." Paul was previously arrested in 2023 following a separate incident with Mortensen and later pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault; additional charges were dismissed at that time.
The timing of the cancellation decision is significant. According to sources connected to the production, no one at ABC had seen Thursday's TMZ video before it was published. The network's statement suggests that footage was the determining factor in a decision that moved with unusual speed — from video publication to cancellation announcement within hours.
An encore episode of American Idol will now air in place of The Bachelorette on Sunday, March 22. ABC has not indicated whether or when the season might air at a future date.
A Week of Escalating Headlines
The cancellation is the culmination of a week of steadily worsening headlines that unfolded in the middle of what should have been a promotional push. Paul had been conducting press interviews in New York, appeared on Live With Kelly and Mark and Good Morning America, and attended a press dinner — all while the domestic violence investigation was being confirmed by police and reported widely.
At a press preview on March 17, Paul spoke publicly about the situation for the first time, describing the timing as difficult. "Just the timing is hard, and it's a big deal," she said. "It took everything to get me here today." At the same time, production on her other reality series — The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives on Hulu — was confirmed to have paused filming amid the investigation.
Timeline of Events
March 15
Taylor Frankie Paul attends the 98th Oscars red carpet on ABC.
March 16
Draper City Police Department confirms an open domestic assault investigation involving Paul and Dakota Mortensen, noting "allegations have been made in both directions."
March 17
Paul attends a Bachelorette press preview and speaks out about the investigation for the first time. Production on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Season 5 pauses.
March 18
Paul appears on Good Morning America to promote the season premiere. ABC's public position holds: the season is still scheduled.
March 19
TMZ publishes a 2023 video of an altercation between Paul and Mortensen. Hours later, Disney announces it will not move forward with Season 22. The cancellation is confirmed to be unprecedented in the franchise's history.
March 22
Planned premiere date. An encore episode of American Idol airs instead.
An Unconventional Casting Choice
Paul's selection as the Season 22 Bachelorette was already a departure from franchise tradition. Unlike nearly every previous lead in the show's history, she had not appeared on any prior Bachelor franchise season — a break from the established practice of choosing runners-up from The Bachelor or The Bachelorette. Instead, ABC recruited her directly from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, a Hulu reality series — both properties, along with ABC, sitting under the Disney umbrella.
ABC's announcement of her casting had described Paul as the person who "ignited 'MomTok'" and praised her for going viral. She came to the franchise as a social media figure with an existing, substantial audience. The casting was a gamble on reach and visibility. The events of this week reflect the risks that come with that kind of casting decision when an individual's personal life remains in active, public legal territory.
What This Means for Bachelor Nation
Season 22 had already been filmed in full. A cast of suitors had completed the process, traveled to locations, and invested in the experience. Their participation is now, at minimum, indefinitely on hold. ABC's statement uses the phrase "at this time," leaving the door open for the season to eventually air — but provides no timeline, and no indication that such a decision has been made.
For the franchise, this is genuinely uncharted territory. The Bachelorette has navigated controversy before, but it has never pulled a completed, fully filmed, fully promoted season from the schedule within 72 hours of its premiere. The question of what ABC does next — whether it airs the season later, recasts, or pivots to something entirely different for the traditional fall slot — remains unanswered.
Key Facts
Season
The Bachelorette, Season 22
Lead
Taylor Frankie Paul, 31 (Utah-based influencer / Secret Lives of Mormon Wives)
Planned Premiere
Sunday, March 22, 2026 on ABC
Announced Cancelled
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Reason
Domestic violence investigation; newly surfaced 2023 video
Investigation
Draper City Police Department — ongoing domestic assault investigation involving Paul and Dakota Mortensen
Network Replacement
Encore episode of American Idol on March 22
Other Show Affected
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Season 5 production paused
Future of Season
Undetermined — ABC has not confirmed if or when it will air
Mortensen's representative has stated that his priority is protecting the couple's young son. Paul's spokesperson said she is grateful for ABC's support as she focuses on her family's safety and security. The domestic investigation remains open.
This is a developing story. Cup of Soul Show will continue to monitor and provide updates as more information becomes available. Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson