Taylor Frankie Paul is known as the leader of “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” and creator of MomTok. Paul was supposed to star in season 22 of “The Bachelorette” but her season was not aired. Was this planned all along?
ABC cancelled the upcoming bachelorette season this month after a video from 2023 resurfaced of Paul allegedly committing domestic violence. She attacked her now ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen.
The video displayed Paul supposedly hitting Mortensen, kicking him and throwing chairs at him.
In season one of “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” the audience was made aware that Paul was drunk during this incident and was charged with assault, criminal mischief and domestic violence
From this cancellation, ABC will reportedly lose approximately $50 million due to the abrupt pull of the show right before its scheduled airing.
There is no way ABC was not made aware of the charges in the past made against Paul, especially before having her star in their show.
Some things aren’t adding up.
In 2010, approximately 11.7 million people watched season six of “The Bachelorette.” Flash forward 15 years, in 2025, approximately 1.6 million people watch the show.
“The Bachelorette” is not at its peak anymore. The video of Paul was from three years ago and was already known from season one of “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.”
In 15 years, “The Bachelorette” lost 9.8 million viewers, so ABC knew it needed to do something to make the show what it once was.
And Paul’s drama could do just that.
This makes us think the season was never meant to air. That this was all planned to help “The Bachelorette” gain back the views it had lost and make the show popular again.
Why would ABC risk having such a hotheaded individual on its show that can create such backlash on their series?
It makes no sense.
Why film the whole season just to cancel it because of an incident that happened three years ago that was already known?
There are so many questions.
We have never cared to watch any season of “The Bachelorette,” but knowing Paul was going to be the star made us want to tune in. Although, if you think about it, she isn’t the best candidate given that she was divorced, has two baby daddies and clearly has some anger issues.
Being aware of all of her emotional toils and repeated breakdowns all throughout “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” there is no doubt this would be an interesting season, no matter the end result.
ABC knew that she brought drama and attention everywhere she went, and the network used it to their advantage.
We think it’s even possible Mortensen leaked this video right before the season was meant to be aired to ensure the season did not go public, something that many speculate online. I mean, why was this video just now leaked three years later? Very suspicious.
His constant need to use his manipulative tactics and possibly abusive behavior behind closed doors makes us believe he would do anything to disrupt her career and future relationships. No sane father would leak a video of his ex throwing a chair and hitting their child, unless he has alternative motives.
My finger is pointed at Mortensen or ABC because, in any case, any publicity is good publicity.
