Taylor Frankie Paul sparks outrage as she collects full Bachelorette salary after axing amid domestic violence scandal
Taylor Frankie Paul will still collect her full fee for The Bachelorette despite the series being abruptly pulled.The reality star had already completed filming and taken part in much of the promotional rollout before the project was shelved. Insiders told TMZ her contract stipulates payment for services rendered, meaning she is entitled to the full sum after fulfilling her obligations. While the exact figure remains unclear, sources indicate her earnings fall somewhere in the low-to-mid six-figure range, consistent with past leads on the franchise. The payout is expected to be covered by Warner Bros. Discovery, the studio behind the production.Paul’s representatives declined to comment on her salary after the Daily Mail reached out. Taylor Frankie Paul will still collect her full fee for The Bachelorette despite the series being abruptly pulled The decision to axe the season followed the resurfacing of footage tied to a 2023 domestic violence case involving Paul and her then-partner Dakota MortensenThe decision to axe the season followed the resurfacing of footage tied to a 2023 domestic violence case involving Paul and her then-partner Dakota Mortensen. The video emerged online just days before the planned premiere, sparking swift action behind the scenes. Sources say the controversy led network executives to scrap the show despite it being fully produced and ready to air.Fans were quick to react with outrage at the development, taking to social media to vent their frustration. One posted, ‘Sweet. Because bad behavior should be rewarded, right?’Another chimed in, ‘That’s all she cared about anyway.’Others suggested the reality star would come out ahead regardless, with one writing, ‘Cancelled show, FULL pay cheque? that’s how you win without even stepping on set ‘Another added, ‘And she is going to get other offers. She is winning this.’ Fans were quick to react with outrage at the development, taking to social media to vent their frustrationFollowing the video's release, ABC made the decision to cancel Paul's upcoming season of The Bachelorette, which was originally scheduled to premiere last Sunday.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 2026, per the outlet.In a statement, Mortensen's representative said that 'his number one priority' is protecting their son, Ever.'[Mortensen] knew there was a possibility [the alleged domestic assault] could come out, but he was not going to be the one to proactively do that because he has always wanted a decent relationship with Taylor,' the statement said.'It's been really hard to achieve that, but he wants to co-parent well.'According to the filing, the altercation occurred at Paul’s home, with their two-year-old son Ever present. But just two days before the video was made public, Paul's ex Dakota Mortensen filed for a protective order in Utah, citing a new alleged incident that took place in February 2026Mortensen claims that a verbal argument escalated into a physical confrontation where Paul allegedly choked him. He claims he had to physically remove her hands from his neck, after which she shoved him into a window and struck him.Read More Inside The Bachelorette crisis that could ruin ABC: Lawyers called in after shock cancelation Describing the situation as ‘chaotic’ and ‘frightening,’ Mortensen says 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, where she was accused of throwing chairs at him. 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.The Daily Mail has reached out to Paul and Mortensen's representatives for further comment. This latest incident has also halted filming for the latest season of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which features both Paul and Mortensen. 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 March 16, the Draper City Police Department confirmed to People that Paul and Mortensen are connected to an open 'domestic assault investigation.''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.'Paul attended a press preview for her season of The Bachelorette on March 17 and called the situation a 'heavy time' to People.'Honestly, just like, my heart hurts to see it, to go through it, especially at this time,' she said. 'Just the timing is hard, and it’s a big deal. I feel like every premiere that I’ve experienced, I’ve never enjoyed fully, so this is another one... it’s extremely hard, and it took everything to get me here today.''It’s a heavy time, and it’s unfortunate,' she added. 'I’m struggling for sure, but also at the same time I feel like if I don’t show up, then I’m just giving these opportunities away and not enjoying what we’ve worked on and something super exciting that’s coming. I just feel like it was the right thing to do... show up even though it’s hard.'She also told EW that she and Mortensen are currently ‘not in contact’ and are using a 'third party' for all communications and exchanges of their son.But just hours after her statements, Mortensen’s representative fired back, telling EW, 'His number one priority here is protecting their son, Ever,' while also denying any suggestion that he was the one responsible for the investigation going public.'He knew there was a possibility it could come out, but he was not going to be the one to proactively do that because he has always wanted a decent relationship with Taylor,' the rep continued. The bodycam video from the night of the incident, obtained by The Daily Mail in 2023, shows how the evening ended Paul was arrested and charged with three misdemeanors: assault, criminal mischief, and domestic violence in the presence of a child, according to Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office records 'It's been really hard to achieve that, but he wants to co-parent well,' Mortensen's representative insists, adding that he was hoping the situation would calm down on its own.'He was just hoping that if he says nothing, as he usually does, it would go away. He's never done any kind of sit-down interview about his side,' the rep continued.'He kind of just lets it all happen to him, and I think he realizes with the severity of everything now that he just can't do that.'Over the past few years, Paul and Mortensen have broken up and gotten back together on several occasions.During Season 4 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Paul briefly explored a romance with another man but later slept with Mortensen while in Los Angeles. They also had another encounter before she left to film The Bachelorette.In an UsWeekly interview, Paul described their relationship as a ‘cycle,’ saying, ‘It’s been hard to get out.’When asked how she reassured the Bachelorette contestants that she was ready to move on from her ex.'I made the decision to leave for two months and try. I reassured them that was why I was here,' she said.The publication also asked Paul if viewers might question if she was still 'hung up on Dakota.''That’s completely valid to think that and to see that. It took me making those decisions (with Dakota) to be ready for something else. A lot of these decisions aren’t the best, but I think I’m so open with it and honest, and even as many times as I backtracked, I still am open. Something I’ve (also) learned over the course of time is being OK being misunderstood,' she said.In the wake of the investigation involving Paul and Mortensen, filming for Season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has been paused.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.'
