Netizens and reality TV fans alike are slamming Taylor Frankie Paul after she appeared to defend her social media presence amid public scrutiny. Paul, who stars in Hulu’s reality show, “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” made headlines in March 2026 after an old video of her appearing to assault her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, was shared online. Following the release of the horrifying video, ABC and Disney announced they would not air Paul’s previously filmed season of “The Bachelorette.”
Horrifying Video Of Taylor Frankie Paul Appearing To Assault Her Ex-Boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, Has Sparked Chaos
According to a previous report from The Blast, Paul, a TikTok influencer-turned-TV personality, came under fire last week after a video of her appearing to be involved in a domestic violence altercation with her ex was shared online.
In the shocking video, Paul, 31, seems to hit and choke Mortensen and later pull his hair. The video also included clips of what seemed to be Paul launching heavy metal chairs at Mortensen, one of which reportedly hit her minor daughter, causing damage.
The release of the video comes after a source shared that production on season 5 of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” had been halted due to Paul’s alleged second domestic violence case with Mortensen in February 2026.
Disney Cancels Upcoming Season Of ‘The Bachelorette’ Following Taylor Frankie Paul Video
The alarming video also arrived just days before Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette,” in which she was the lead, was scheduled to air on ABC.
Disney issued a statement shortly after, informing the show’s viewers that the company had axed the season entirely. “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,” the statement read.
According to Variety, the shelved season of “The Bachelorette” will reportedly cost the network “tens of millions of dollars” due to licensing fees and marketing.
Taylor Frankie Paul Defends Her Social Media Use
@holdensmith962 I cannot #PopCulture #PopCultureNews #foryou #taylorfrankiepaul #thebachelorette ♬ original sound – Holden Smith | Pop Culture
Amid all of this, Paul has continued to post on social media, drawing a mixed reaction from the public. In one TikTok video, a content creator slammed the mother of three for continuing to be on her phone.
“Taylor Frankie Paul Get Off Your Phone Challenge,” the user said in the clip. “Why are you commenting back to people and reposting TikToks? Her world literally just blew up. I would say her team should take her phone away from her, but no, she literally is reposting TikToks that are in support of her and she’s commenting back to people on Instagram.”
In a now-deleted comment, Paul appeared to defend her use, writing, “Want me to stare at the wall instead?”
Netizens Troll TFP For Being Chronically Online Amid ‘Bachelorette’ Controversy
Paul’s comment has been reshared all over the internet, and many netizens were disturbed by her words.
“Any ounce of remorse or accountability would be nice doe,” one user shared, while another wrote, “Does she have anyone who really cares about her? She has been taken advantage of by the biggest media company in the world!”
Other users replied directly to the reality star’s question about staring at walls, with one writing, “Yes, one inside a treatment facility.”
Another shared, “Absolutely. The beautiful walls of a luxury treatment facility that she is lucky she can afford.”
Celebs And Public Figures Speak Out Following The TFP ‘Bachelorette’ Drama
Public figures have also chimed in, including former “Bachelorette” star Rachel Lindsay.
“I think it’s over,” she said about the franchise, according to a previous report from The Blast. “I was trying to think of a scenario where it could be different, because this isn’t just, ‘Oh, we put it all on a person. This person did this.’ This is the system that allowed this to happen.”
“One Tree Hill” alum Jana Kramer, meanwhile, seemed to call out ABC for waiting too long to take action.
“Abuse is never great TV,” Kramer said. “Where it’s being physical, that is not something that our children need to see. … When you have to grab someone, hurt someone, push someone, verbally, physically, that is not something to get viewership for.”
“DV is not something to joke about [or] to get viewership,” the actress added. “It’s just not at all, and if it was a guy, they would have shut it down immediately.”
