Rachel Lindsay is certainly no stranger to Bachelor Nation controversies.
It’s not surprising that the former Bachelorette is commenting on ABC’s decision to pull the premiere of Taylor Frankie Paul’s season 22, especially considering the ongoing investigation into the domestic dispute involving the star of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.
Rachel said on the March 26th episode of the Hot Goss podcast that the reality TV show feels damaged. She admitted she’s trying to understand how the show can overcome its issues, but acknowledges it’s a business and they’ll likely find a way to do so.
But from Rachel’s POV: “I cannot see a road forward with the franchise.”
As a longtime fan, I know so many of us have been hoping to see Taylor’s season of The Bachelorette finally happen – she was the first Black lead, and that was huge back in 2017! She understands why people are still asking for it. But honestly, after that video came out showing her fight with Dakota Mortensen earlier this month, I get why fans are upset too. It’s a really tough situation, and she seems to recognize that.
She explained that some people might be unaware of the historical context, which is likely why they’re upset. She believes the current situation will forever be associated with the name in question.
The cancellation also surprised the contestants, Rachel noted, as they had put their lives on hold to compete for her affection.
The lawyer explained it wasn’t right to focus solely on the mothers. Several cast members, including fathers, had made significant sacrifices – leaving their families, quitting jobs, or accepting lower pay. He acknowledged the confusion and uncertainty everyone was feeling, wondering how to move forward.
One option, Rachel noted, would be for ABC to air Taylor’s season at a later date.
The cancellation also surprised the contestants, Rachel noted, as they had put their lives on hold to compete for her affection.
The lawyer said it felt unjust. Several cast members had abandoned their families, while others had given up their careers or accepted lower salaries. He acknowledged that people were understandably asking, ‘Now what?’
One option, Rachel noted, would be for ABC to air Taylor’s season at a later date.
Rachel believes they’re keeping their options open, likely waiting to see how the public reacts and what their sponsors decide.
Following the release of a new video today, Disney Entertainment announced on March 22nd that they will not be moving forward with the next season of The Bachelorette, and are prioritizing support for the family involved. Taylor’s representative told TopMob News that she appreciates the support from ABC.
Another possibility for the show is to cast a brand new lead for the next season of The Bachelorette.
Honestly, it’s so hard to even think about anyone else taking over after me! I guess maybe someday someone could, but I can’t imagine it. And me watching? Absolutely not! Though, you know, something similar could work…like another show about polygamy, maybe? Or even just another Real Housewife franchise – I live for Bravo, it’s my whole world!
And Rachel isn’t afraid to name names.
“I nominate Ashley Darby,” she suggested, “Heather Gay or Adriana [De Moura] from Miami.”
As viewers await ABC’s announcement, here’s a complete look at the events surrounding the cancellation of Taylor’s season of The Bachelorette and the allegations of domestic violence.
For more from our conversation with Rachel, watch the latest episode of Hot Goss on TopMob’s YouTube channel. You can also listen to Rachel’s podcasts, Morally Corrupt and Higher Learning With Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay, on your favorite podcast platform.
Taylor Frankie Paul, who gained popularity on TikTok as #MomTok, was arrested in Utah on February 17, 2023, following an altercation with her boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen. According to court documents obtained by ABC 4 Utah, she allegedly threw metal chairs and a wooden playset at him while one of her children was present. She shares these children with her ex-husband, Tate Paul.
Okay, so the news just dropped and I’m trying to process this, but apparently Taylor is facing some serious charges. I saw the court documents – it’s awful! They’re saying she’s been charged with a felony aggravated assault, and then two felony counts of domestic violence with a child being hurt while it happened! On top of that, there’s a misdemeanor child abuse charge and something about misdemeanor criminal mischief. I just… I can’t believe it. It’s all so shocking and I’m trying to understand what happened, but it’s just… a lot.
According to court documents, the Herriman police officer who arrived at the scene stated that Dakota told him he had been arguing with his girlfriend. The officer said that Dakota explained his girlfriend, Taylor, started hitting him when he tried to leave.
In August 2023, Taylor admitted guilt to a serious assault charge, as shown in court records obtained by the Salt Lake Tribune. Four other charges against them were dropped and won’t be filed again.
For three years, the charges against her were put on hold. If Taylor followed the conditions of her agreement, the case would then be filed as a minor offense, according to court records.
As part of her agreement, Taylor was required to undergo assessments for both substance abuse and domestic violence, and complete any treatment recommended, over the next three years. She also had to avoid breaking any major laws.
Taylor and Dakota welcomed their son a week ahead of schedule. On April 4, 2024, Taylor shared a photo from the hospital on Instagram, expressing their joy and writing, “These past two weeks with him have been wonderful. We all love him so much, and we’re grateful he’s brought our families together.”
Taylor told TopMob News that the fight with Dakota was definitely their lowest point.
Looking back, that time was really tough, and honestly, I have a lot of regrets. Thankfully, I had someone who truly understood what I was going through – he knew all the details, everything happening behind the scenes. He’d been through a similar dark place himself, so he really got it. He didn’t just offer sympathy, he genuinely wanted to help me get back on my feet. It meant the world to me.
As for the confrontation itself, she later said the incident had been building up.
She revealed on the Viall Files podcast in September 2024 that she’d experienced an ectopic pregnancy a few months earlier, followed by a chemical pregnancy. While hesitant to directly attribute it to hormonal imbalances, she acknowledged they might be a factor, saying she felt ‘pretty off.’
Taylor explained that she felt confused and upset by what happened, leading her to drink alcohol that night. Dakota arrived and expressed his disapproval when he found out she had been drinking.
I recall throwing objects and not recognizing my daughters who were on the couch. We had babysitters, so I believe they were upstairs asleep. Apparently, Dakota tried to tell me my five-year-old was also there, but I was so out of it that I didn’t even care and just threw another chair.
The first episode of the Hulu series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which premiered in September 2024, showed Taylor’s arrest that occurred in 2023.
Taylor publicly announced her breakup with Dakota in May 2025. The news came after the premiere of season two of SLOMW, which revealed Dakota had been unfaithful shortly after their son was born. Taylor shared the news on TikTok, stating, “Dakota isn’t mine anymore, wish him the best.”
We were living together and so happy with our new baby, and I was starting to think about getting engaged,” she shared. “Then I found out he’d been lying to me the whole time.
In a season four episode of SLOMW, Dakota confessed to having an affair with a friend, Shinia Powell. During a FaceTime call with Taylor, Dakota acknowledged their mistake, saying, “It was a bad decision, and I probably should have chosen someone else. The person I chose was always going to cause issues, and that was really messed up of me.”
Taylor was unexpectedly chosen as the next Bachelorette for season 22, and she announced the news on the Call Her Daddy podcast in September 2025. This is a change for the show, which usually selects contestants from past seasons of The Bachelor to be the Bachelorette.
Taylor saw it as a positive development, sharing in a preview for the upcoming season, “I think this was meant to happen, to help me move forward.”
Taylor shared that she’s faced criticism, judgment, and rejection, but believes those who truly get to know her will see she’s sincere, has good intentions, and deserves another opportunity at love.
Just before Taylor started filming season 22 of The Bachelorette, a conversation she had with Dakota aired on season four of SLOMW. During that conversation, Dakota apologized for his relationship with Shinia, admitting it was a mistake and that he’d acted poorly.
He explained that both he and Taylor had caused each other pain, but he still thought they loved each other deeply.
The couple both acknowledged their relationship was unhealthy, but Taylor believed appearing on The Bachelorette could actually be beneficial, even if they didn’t end up together. She thought it would give them both the space needed to heal and break their negative pattern.
Dakota let Taylor know he still had feelings for her. He told her he was glad she was happy and wished her well if she found someone else, but playfully asked her to ‘save a rose for him,’ hinting he wasn’t quite over her.
Production on season five of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives stopped in February 2026 following a reported argument between Taylor and Dakota.
On March 16th, a representative from the Draper City Police Department told People magazine that they were investigating reports of domestic assault involving Taylor and Dakota. The representative stated that both individuals had made accusations against each other. Police made contact with those involved on February 24th and 25th, but are not releasing further details while the investigation is ongoing.
I’ve been following Taylor’s story closely, and what I understand is she really takes responsibility for her actions. More than anything, she’s fiercely protective of her son, Ever. She wants to shield him from negative press and make sure he has a good relationship with his father and thinks highly of him. That’s what’s driving a lot of her decisions, as far as I can tell.
After Taylor and Dakota had a disagreement in 2026, TMZ released video of a physical fight between them that originally happened in 2023.
The video shows Dakota filming an altercation while Taylor shouts at him and tries to hit him, even briefly putting him in a headlock.
“Look,” Dakota can be heard saying, “this is called physical abuse.”
As things escalated, he said she mentioned their daughter was there, right before Taylor started throwing metal barstools at him. Taylor claimed Dakota pushed her to the ground before he started filming, and he responded by saying, “You did this,” and urging her to help their five-year-old. Taylor was later heard shouting, “Get away from my daughter!”
According to a police report obtained by TopMob News in 2023, the child was struck by a stool.
Following the video’s release, a representative for Taylor stated to TopMob News that it was part of an effort to damage her reputation. They said the video selectively presented information and was intended to divert attention from Dakota’s own behavior. Dakota, however, dismissed Taylor’s accusations as untrue.
Following the release of video showing a disagreement between Taylor and Dakota in 2023, ABC announced it was cancelling season 22 of The Bachelorette. A Disney Entertainment spokesperson told TopMob News, “We’ve decided not to proceed with the new season at this time, and our priority is supporting the family involved.”
Following ABC’s decision, Taylor broke her silence about the situation.
Taylor appreciates the support she’s receiving from ABC as she focuses on keeping her family safe. According to her representative, she’s been secretly dealing with significant mental and physical abuse and threats for years, but is now finding the courage to confront her abuser and protect herself and her children from future harm.
The statement highlighted that many women are quietly enduring hardship caused by controlling, possessive former partners who won’t allow them to rebuild their lives.
Taylor’s team said she is considering her next steps, getting support from others, and will eventually talk publicly about what happened.
Dakota addressed claims of domestic violence involving himself and Taylor, stating in a March 19th interview with TopMob News that the video of the incident is “deeply upsetting,” as anyone who has seen it would realize.
He stated he was sadly accustomed to false accusations regarding himself and their relationship, and firmly denied them all.
Dakota said her priority is her son Ever and making sure he’s safe, and she hopes Taylor will prioritize his well-being too.
According to documents obtained by People magazine on March 20th, Dakota has been granted temporary custody of Ever after filing a protective order against Taylor. A hearing is scheduled for April 7th where Taylor will have the opportunity to present her perspective. However, until then, the order prevents either parent from spending time with Ever.
Oh my god, you won’t BELIEVE this! So, the police in Utah are looking into another thing that happened in 2024 – Dakota actually told them about it way back in February! I found out from NBC News today. Apparently, they’ve talked to Taylor’s lawyer, but they haven’t gotten to speak to her yet. They’re really hoping she’ll either write something down or agree to talk so they can confirm what Dakota said. I’m just so worried, and I need to know everything! It’s just…a lot.
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2026-03-26 21:20