"Publicity game": Fans react as reports reveal how much ABC may lose after The Bachelorette's cancellation tied to Taylor Frankie Paul's video leak

98th Oscars - Arrivals - Source: Getty
98th Oscars - Arrivals - Source: Getty

Taylor Frankie Paul is a reality television personality best known for her role on Hulu’s hit series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. On March 19, TMZ posted a video footage of an alleged altercation between Paul and her ex-partner Dakota Mortensen from 2023, which has raised questions about her career.

In the latest development regarding this story, ABC has reportedly cancelled the upcoming season of The Bachelorette starring Taylor Frankie Paul, based on the reaction to the leaked video published by TMZ. An insider shared with Page Six that,

“It could be $50 million [or more]. Someone’s gotta get fired from this. It’s ridiculous.”

Social media users have had a lot to share on the topic since the video dropped and ABC subsequently shared that they would be cancelling the upcoming season. One X user wrote,

“Why cast someone problematic in the first place? Feels like ABC is just playing the publicity game, only to release it anyway because they know people will tune in for the train wreck.”

Another X user shared,

“That million dollar “big headache” could have been avoided with a simple background check. The arrest, the video evidence, and her guilty plea was all public record information. ABC failed to do their due diligence in a simple background check.”

One X user alleged the Disney Chairman had likely also already seen the footage,

“The new Disney chairman needs to stop pretending she didn’t see this footage 4 years ago in the development tape for #slomw”

Some individuals took aim at Taylor Frankie Paul’s character directly, with one X user stating,

“They made their bed by casting her knowing exactly the trash she is. Now lay in it.”

Social media reactions suggest that neither Taylor Frankie Paul nor Disney is receiving any sympathy in light of the video leak, coupled with past controversies.


Taylor Frankie Paul’s recent Good Morning America appearance

Interestingly, prior to the video leak, Taylor Frankie Paul appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America programme on Wednesday, March 18, to promote her upcoming series. At the time, she addressed the allegations against her head-on,

"Honestly, it's been a heavy time to see the headlines, especially during this time of 'The Bachelorette' being released. It was supposed to be a really exciting time."

During the same GMA interview, Paul also shared that production has been paused for the upcoming fifth season of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which first premiered in 2024.

Edited by Ritika Pal