Taylor Frankie Paul Speaks Out After ABC Pulls ‘The Bachelorette’ Amid Domestic Violence Investigation: ‘Too Many Women Are Suffering in Silence’

Taylor Frankie Paul is speaking out following ABC’s announcement that it will not air Season 22 of “The Bachelorette” on Sunday, March 22 as originally planned.

“Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security. After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm,” the statement from her spokesperson reads. “There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives.

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Her statement concludes with, “Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation, and public shaming. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story.”

Paul, who rose to fame on Hulu’s “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” was arrested in 2023 for a domestic dispute with ex Dakota Mortensen. (The arrest was how the series premiere ended.) At the time, the police report alleged that she threw a chair at her partner, which in turn, hit her daughter. She pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault. Additional charges of child abuse, criminal mischief and domestic violence in the presence of a child were all dismissed.

On Monday, March 16, Variety confirmed that Hulu shut down production on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” amid a new domestic violence investigation due to an incident between Paul and Mortensen that happened at the end of February; police are looking into allegations made on both sides.

Throughout the week, Paul carried through with planned press to promote “The Bachelorette.” On “Good Morning America,” she shared, “I’m a person that will always speak my truth — that’s what I’m known for. To, when the time is right, I will be. But right now, just trying to be in the present moment and focus on this, but the thing is, my kids do come first… It’s been a back-and-forth process, just trying to be here in the present moment, worrying about home and headlines. It’s been stressful, to be honest.”

Everything changed on Thursday morning, when TMZ obtained the video of the 2023 incident, which was part of the evidence. The video shows the altercation, with Paul throwing bar stools and kicking her ex-boyfriend with her daughter in the room.

Hours later, ABC announced they will not be airing this season of “The Bachelorette” at this time. It’s uncertain if it will be shown at a later date.