DWTS hasn’t been officially renewed by ABC, but Season 35 is expected to air this fall. The casting rumors are heating up. An insider claimed that Taylor Frankie Paul was supposed to be on the new season, but was cut amid ongoing domestic violence drama. Keep reading for all the details.
Former Talk Show Host Denies Season 35 Casting
ABC announced Robert Irwin as the first cast member of Season 34 in April 2025. The reality competition has been announcing contestants earlier and earlier every year to gain interest. The network hasn’t even officially renewed the show for Season 35, but casting rumors are taking over the internet.
One recent rumor claimed that comedian and former talk show host Rosie O’Donnell was going to compete on Season 35. She moved to Ireland in 2025, partly due to her feud with President Trump. The comedian reposted an AI photo of her dressed in a sequin costume. According to Us Weekly, she wrote that the idea was funny but not true.
Taylor Frankie Paul Reportedly Cut From DWTS Amid DV Drama
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Taylor Frankie Paul was named the next Bachelorette lead last year. Her season was supposed to start airing in March. However, ABC pulled it days before the premiere after news of domestic violence allegations against her.
She allegedly got into a physical altercation with her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, in February 2026. He also told the court about previous incidents in 2025 and 2024. Taylor Frankie Paul was previously arrested in 2023 for domestic violence. Things took another turn when video of that incident leaked online. The footage showed her, among other things, throwing a bar stool that hit her daughter. ABC yanked The Bachelorette from the schedule.
According to an anonymous submission to gossip site deuxmoi, Taylor Frankie Paul also lost the opportunity to compete on Dancing With The Stars when ABC canceled The Bachelorette.
The source also claimed that Season 16 lead, Tayshia Adams, has signed on to take Taylor Frankie Paul’s place on Season 35. ABC hasn’t commented on the rumors.
Latest On Recent Domestic Violence Investigation
The new investigation that played a role in ABC’s decision to scrap The Bachelorette is over. Several outlets reported that the district attorney declined to press charges against Taylor Frankie Paul or Dakota Mortensen. They cited a lack of evidence as the reason. This is a huge win for Taylor Frankie Paul, who lost custody of the son she shares with Dakota Mortensen due to the investigation. The former couple returns to court later this month for a final ruling on custody.
Now that the investigation is over without any charges, ABC could decide to air Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of The Bachelorette. Would you have liked to see her on DWTS? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger
