Taylor Frankie Paul is thanking fans for their support after ABC canceled her season of The Bachelorette amid domestic violence allegations.
“I will NEVER forget the ones with me during this time,” Taylor, 31, commented on content creator Ashley Clemons’ TikTok video defending the reality star from online “bullying” on Monday, March 23. ”Thank you. Prayer is exactly what pulls us through, prayer is the only reason I’m still standing.”
In her video, Clemons said she would “continue to pray for Taylor” and her “well-being” during this time.
“I’m going to pray for healing, peace, and health for Taylor and her babies ❤️,” the TikToker wrote in the caption.
ABC announced on Thursday, March 19, that Taylor’s season of The Bachelorette had been canceled amid the release of video footage showing the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star physically assaulting ex Dakota Mortensen. The season was set to premiere on Sunday, March 18.
“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,” a Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson told Us Weekly in a statement.
In the video, released by TMZ on Thursday, Taylor could be seen throwing a chair at Dakota, 33, with whom she shares son Ever, 2, during an incident in February 2023. Taylor — who also shares daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5, with ex-husband Tate Paul — was arrested at the time and charged with aggravated assault, two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse and criminal mischief.
Us confirmed Taylor pleaded guilty to felony aggravated assault in August 2023 as part of a plea deal to drop the other charges. The charge would be downgraded to a misdemeanor if she abided by the terms of her deal for three years.
Dakota was recently granted a temporary protective order against Taylor and awarded temporary custody of Ever following a separate alleged domestic altercation in February, per documents obtained by Us.
In response to the video’s release, Taylor’s spokesperson told TMZ on Thursday, “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 and selectively edited video on their son’s birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior.”
In a separate statement, Taylor’s rep reacted to the cancellation of her season of The Bachelorette.
“Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security,” the statement read. “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 continued, “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. 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.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
