Taylor Frankie Paul has broken her silence after her Bachelorette cancellation amid a domestic violence scandal.
ABC shelved Paul’s upcoming season of The Bachelorette after video of her fighting ex Dakota Mortensen in 2023 came to light – a recording that later became crucial evidence in a case in which she ultimately pleaded guilty to aggravated assault.
The video, published by TMZ, followed news Paul and Mortensen were involved in another domestic assault investigation, with police saying ‘allegations have been made in both directions.’
Additionally, TMZ is now reporting that the latest domestic assault allegations may have put Paul into further legal jeopardy in regards to her 2023 case
Now a representative for Paul, 31, says the reality star is ‘grateful’ for the support she has been receiving from ABC as she ‘prioritizes her family’s safety and security.’
In a statement obtained by People, her rep alleged Paul was actually the victim, claiming she had been ‘silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation’ for years.
The statement claims Paul is now ‘gaining the strength to face her accuser’ and is taking action to ensure she and her children will be safe from ‘further harm’.
Taylor Frankie Paul has broken her silence after her Bachelorette cancellation amid allegations of domestic assault
‘There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives,’ the rep continued.
The rep claimed Paul had been staying quiet ‘out of fear of further abuse, retaliation, and pubic shaming’ and is now ‘seeking support’, going through her options and ‘preparing to own and share her story.’
The latest domestic assault allegations may have landed Paul into further hot legal water over her 2023 case.
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill has now told TMZ that they are looking to determine if the new assault accusations may have violated her ongoing probation from that particular case.
‘We have received the police report for the new allegations, and it is our understanding the case is being screened by the Draper City prosecutor. We requested the police report so our prosecutors could evaluate how those new allegations may affect the case for which the defendant is currently on probation,’ Gill told TMZ.
Mortensen has since denied ‘baseless claims’ made about himself and their relationship in a new statement for The Daily Mail.
In a statement, he said: ‘As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation. 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.’
The decision to cancel Paul’s season of The Bachelorette came hours after TMZ published video of the reality TV star apparently fighting with her ex-partner, Dakota Mortensen, in 2023.
In the video, Paul is seen repeatedly attacking Mortensen, with the video later becoming crucial evidence in a 2023 case in which she ultimately pleaded guilty to aggravated assault.
The decision to cancel came hours after TMZ published a video of the reality TV star apparently fighting with her ex-partner, Dakota Mortensen, in 2023
The 31-year-old’s season of The Bachelorette was scheduled to begin on Sunday.
A Disney Entertainment spokesman told TMZ: ‘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.’
In the footage, she is seen having an outburst, throwing a stool at Mortensen, while a child, her daughter Indy, now eight, was present.
Mortensen, who was filming the incident, said in the clip: ‘This is called physical abuse.’
The child can be heard crying as Mortensen and Paul continued fighting. Mortensen then said, ‘Your daughter just got hit in the head by a metal chair.’
Together, they have a son named Ever, who is two years old.
Mortensen has said in a statement that he denies the ‘baseless claims’ made ‘about me and our relationship’
Paul, a mother of three, was arrested after an alleged domestic violence incident in 2023 and pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in the third degree.
In response to the resurfaced footage, Paul’s representative told the Daily Mail, ‘It’s sad to see the latest installment of his never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor without any regard for the consequences for their child.
‘Releasing an old video, which conveniently omits context, on their son’s birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior.’
But just two days before the video was made public, Mortensen filed for a protective order in Utah, citing a new alleged incident that took place in February, according to the outlet.
Paul’s season of The Bachelorette was scheduled to begin on Sunday before the video came to light
Mortensen claimed that a verbal argument turned into a physical confrontation, where Paul allegedly choked him.
He alleged that he had to physically remove her hands from his neck, after which she shoved him into a window and struck him.
Describing the situation as ‘chaotic’ and ‘frightening,’ Mortensen said their son woke up from the commotion, which included Paul screaming and yelling, according to TMZ.
In the petition, Mortensen also referenced Paul’s previous 2023 arrest for assault.
As part of his filing, he has requested temporary custody of Ever and asked for Paul to be prohibited from drinking or using drugs during her parenting time.
On Tuesday, it was reported that filming had paused on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
On Tuesday, People reported that filming had been paused on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives over ‘serious’ issues involving Paul.
The Draper City Police Department confirmed to People the existence of an open ‘domestic assault investigation’ into Paul and Mortensen.
‘Allegations have been made in both directions,’ a spokesman for the department told the publication, adding ‘contact was made with involved parties on [February] 24 and 25.’
A Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star has since confirmed the cast had agreed to pause filming due to the scandal.
Mikayla Matthews broke her silence over the controversy when asked about the production pause during a Q&A with fans on her Instagram account on Wednesday.
The iconic Bachelor mansion, pictured Thursday, vacant amid the Bachelorette cancellation
She said the cast came to the decision together in light of ‘everything that was happening’ – alluding to the legal troubles surrounding Paul.
‘It was a decision that all of us girls came up with and agreed on. We didn’t feel comfortable filming with everything that was happening,’ she wrote.
The ongoing investigation has also impacted The Bachelorette’s brand partnerships.
On March 17, Cinnabon announced it was ending its collaboration with both Paul and the ABC show, despite having previously promoted new products tied to the series.
‘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.
‘Recent developments and allegations surrounding the lead cast member led us to reassess this collaboration as it no longer aligns with our brand values.’
