Just days before the much-anticipated premiere of The Bachelorette Season 22, headlines have erupted around its lead, Taylor Frankie Paul, and an ongoing domestic violence investigation involving her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen. Despite the swirl of speculation and mounting public scrutiny, ABC has confirmed the show will air as planned on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/PT, with next-day streaming available on Hulu.
The controversy began in late February, when the Draper City Police Department in Utah confirmed that officers made contact with both Paul and Mortensen on February 24 and 25 regarding a domestic assault incident. According to Variety, accusations were made in both directions, adding complexity and drama to an already tense situation. The West Jordan Police Department also acknowledged receiving a domestic violence allegation involving Paul, though details remain undisclosed as the investigation continues.
As the news broke, social media lit up with speculation about the fate of the upcoming season. Hashtags like #SaveTheBachelorette trended nationwide, with fans expressing both concern and curiosity. The timing couldn’t have been more dramatic—just four days before the season’s premiere. Rumors swirled that ABC might delay or cancel the show, especially after production on another of Paul’s projects, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, was paused indefinitely. According to sources cited by NBC News and People, the cast of Mormon Wives decided to step away temporarily, further fueling uncertainty about Paul’s reality TV future.
Amid the chaos, ABC moved quickly to address the speculation. On March 18, the network confirmed through multiple outlets, including Variety and Parade, that there are "zero plans to delay or cancel Season 22." The official statement was unequivocal: "The investigation will not impact the release schedule or press plans for The Bachelorette." Filming for the season, which features 22 male contestants vying for Paul’s affection, had already wrapped months before, making any last-minute cancellation a logistical and financial nightmare for the network.
Paul herself has not shied away from the headlines. Throughout the week leading up to the premiere, she has been front and center in the media, appearing on Good Morning America, Live with Kelly and Mark, and at a special press preview event in New York. During these appearances, Paul acknowledged the weight of the situation. "Honestly, it’s been a heavy time to see the headlines, especially during this time of The Bachelorette being released, and it’s supposed to be a really exciting time," she told Good Morning America. She added, "I’m a person that will always speak my truth and that’s what I’m known for and so when the time is right, I will be. But right now, just trying to be in the present moment and focus on this."
Paul’s openness about her struggles has resonated with many viewers. She described the lead-up to the premiere as "extremely hard," saying, "It took everything to get me here today." In another interview with People, Paul admitted, "My heart hurts to see it, to go through it, especially at this time." She emphasized her commitment to her children—she shares a one-year-old son, Ever, with Mortensen, and has two other children from a previous marriage. "Dating as a mom of three is extremely difficult," she said, explaining that the opportunity to date multiple men at once on The Bachelorette was both daunting and exciting. "You’re finding the love of your life, and that’s what you’re striving for. So it was hard, but so fun and exciting at the same time. I’d be lying if I said it was just really easy."
Mortensen, meanwhile, has kept a lower profile. A representative told Entertainment Weekly that his "number one priority here is protecting [their son], Ever." The rep added that Mortensen "wants to co-parent well" and was not interested in bringing the matter into the public eye. The former couple dated from 2022 to 2024, and their relationship—and its tumultuous end—has played out both on social media and on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. The Season 4 finale of the Hulu reality series revealed that Paul and Mortensen hooked up the night before she left to film The Bachelorette, adding another layer of intrigue to an already complicated narrative.
As for the legal case itself, reports indicate that Paul was initially charged with misdemeanors including assault, criminal mischief, and commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child, after allegedly throwing a chair that hit Mortensen’s daughter, Indy, aged eight. However, Paul stated in a 2025 podcast appearance that all charges "were dropped." Draper City Police Department has confirmed that the investigation remains open, with allegations made by both parties.
Despite the off-screen drama, ABC’s decision to move forward with the season is not unprecedented. Reality TV franchises like The Bachelor and The Bachelorette have a history of weathering scandals, often continuing to air episodes even as controversies unfold. The financial stakes are high: millions have already been invested in production, and pulling a season at this stage would be a costly move. In fact, controversy can sometimes boost viewership, as audiences tune in to see how the drama plays out both on and off screen.
Paul, for her part, is determined to make the most of her moment in the spotlight, despite the personal turmoil. "It’s hard to see past this, I’m not gonna lie, in this moment," she confessed on Good Morning America. "When your life is broadcast out there in these headlines, it’s like the end of the world. That’s what it feels like. But I will say, I’ve been here before, and I got through it, and, you know, shared my story, my light. So I’m hoping that I can do that again."
As premiere night approaches, the only certainty is that all eyes will be on Paul and the new season of The Bachelorette. Whether viewers tune in out of loyalty, curiosity, or concern, the show must—and will—go on, with ABC standing firmly behind its star and its schedule. For now, fans can set their reminders: Season 22 is happening, drama and all.