ABC cancels The Bachelorette amid safety allegations
ABC cancels The Bachelorette amid safety allegations
On March 19, 2026, the network ABC made the unprecedented decision to cancel the 22nd season of The Bachelorette just three days before it was set to air.
This move followed the release of disturbing 2023 video footage showing the season's lead, Taylor Frankie Paul, physically assaulting her former partner.
The video, which surfaced on TMZ, showed Paul attacking her ex while her young daughter was present.
This incident resulted in previous legal charges, including felony aggravated assault, for which Paul was already on probation.
Adding to the controversy, police in Utah are currently investigating a separate, new domestic assault allegation involving both individuals from February 2026.
Disney, ABC's parent company, prioritized corporate image and safety over the high financial losses of the canceled production.
The scandal has also forced the production of her other show, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, to pause.
This incident has ignited a wider conversation about the vetting processes used for reality television stars and the ethical responsibilities of major networks in the modern media landscape.
