What it means for ‘The Bachelorette’ and ‘Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’

At the same time as a home violence investigation involving actuality star Taylor Frankie Paul unfolds, the rollout of her season of The Bachelorette is constant — although not with out early indicators of pressure.

A key model companion has stepped away, manufacturing on one other sequence Paul stars in has paused and sources say contestants from her season had been caught off guard by the information. Nonetheless, the long-running ABC franchise seems to be shifting ahead with its March 22 premiere.

Paul, who rose to fame by the “MomTok” group earlier than turning into the central determine on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, has remained in full promotional mode this week, attending occasions and making nationwide TV appearances amid mounting headlines about an alleged incident involving her and ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen. Considered one of Paul’s costars from the Hulu present has spoken out.

What occurred?

Authorities in Utah have confirmed there’s an energetic home assault investigation involving Paul, 31, and Mortensen, 33, who share a 1-year-old son, Ever.

The Draper Metropolis Police Division mentioned officers made contact with each events on Feb. 24 and Feb. 25 and that allegations have been made in each instructions, in response to Individuals.

The incident was first reported by TMZ, which broke the information simply hours after Paul made certainly one of her most high-profile appearances to this point, on the Oscars pink carpet, which aired on ABC.

Authorities have declined to launch additional particulars whereas the case stays open. Within the absence of official data, competing accounts have emerged by unnamed sources within the press, with allegations surfacing on either side about who was bodily through the alleged altercation.

The Bachelorette‘s rollout continues — with questions

Regardless of the controversy, there isn’t any indication that ABC plans to delay or alter the upcoming season. One community supply tells Yahoo that, as of Wednesday, the present will air as deliberate. A spokesperson didn’t reply to Yahoo’s request for remark.

A majority of Paul’s promotional marketing campaign this week has continued as deliberate. She appeared on Good Morning America, the place the Hulu star acknowledged the state of affairs as “heavy” and mentioned she plans to share extra when the time is correct whereas specializing in her youngsters. Over on Stay with Kelly and Mark, Paul mentioned she’s “had higher days” as Kelly Ripa checked in along with her forward of Sunday’s first episode. (Each exhibits air on ABC.)

Nonetheless, some inside Bachelor Nation are questioning how the community is dealing with the second behind the scenes.

Former Bachelorette DeAnna Pappas instructed on The Ben and Ashley I Virtually Well-known Podcast that the community could also be working in “disaster management.” (TMZ claims a disaster PR staff was employed by the community as producers had been reportedly blindsided by the information.)

Pappas, who was the season’s lead in 2008, speculated that at a press occasion on Tuesday evening, entry and interview questions round season 22’s debut could have been fastidiously managed with Paul after listening to audio of interviews.

“I do know that they’re all scrambling to sort of put a Band-Support over this,” she mentioned, whereas additionally predicting the season may nonetheless draw sturdy scores regardless of the controversy.

Pappas additionally questioned the timing of the information cycle and whether or not this story was planted or leaked. Her feedback replicate broader hypothesis throughout the franchise’s orbit — although ABC has not publicly addressed how it’s dealing with the state of affairs internally.

A consultant for Dakota Mortensen issued an announcement for the primary time on Wednesday, telling Leisure Weekly that his precedence is defending the couple’s younger son and that he hopes to take care of a cooperative co-parenting relationship with Paul. The rep disputed strategies that he was behind the timing of the allegations turning into public.

Model offers shift as controversy builds

Probably the most instant public fallout has come from the enterprise aspect.

Cinnabon confirmed to EW that it ended its partnership with each The Bachelorette and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, citing latest developments involving the present’s lead.

The collaboration had solely not too long ago launched, with the model rolling out a “Swirled Soda” promotion impressed by a viral soda pattern popularized by the Mormon Wives solid — underscoring how rapidly the state of affairs has shifted.

For now, no different sponsors have publicly adopted swimsuit, however the transfer has raised questions on whether or not further model companions may rethink their involvement because the investigation unfolds.

Manufacturing halted and ripple results unfold

Past The Bachelorette, the investigation has already had tangible penalties throughout Paul’s actuality TV orbit.

Manufacturing on Season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has paused as authorities examine allegations involving Paul and Mortensen, Selection reported. A supply advised the outlet the pause is anticipated to be short-term and that the alleged incident didn’t happen whereas cameras had been rolling.

Solid members say it was a collective option to cease filming because the state of affairs unfolded. “It was a call that each one of us ladies got here up with and agreed on. We didn’t really feel comfy filming with the whole lot that was taking place,” costar Mikayla Matthews mentioned on social media.

Paul confirmed throughout an look on Good Morning America that filming has stopped, although she mentioned she was not aware about any additional data, regardless of being an govt producer on the hit present.

Costars caught off guard as fallout spreads throughout each exhibits

The affect of the investigation has additionally been felt behind the scenes throughout each of Paul’s actuality TV worlds.

On The Bachelorette, a supply advised Those that a number of of the lads who appeared on Paul’s season had been caught off guard by the information and felt betrayed, saying that they had entered the present hoping to genuinely get to know her.

One other insider, nevertheless, advised the outlet that Paul stays on good phrases with the contestants. Some in Paul’s circle are reportedly frightened for her well-being.

A relationship with an advanced historical past

The present investigation will not be the primary time Paul and Mortensen’s relationship has intersected with authorized bother.

Paul was arrested in 2023 following an alleged altercation through which she was accused of hitting Mortensen and throwing metallic chairs, with one chair reportedly placing her different baby. (Paul shares two youngsters, Indy and Ocean, along with her ex-husband, Tate Paul.) She finally struck a deal and pleaded responsible to at least one depend of aggravated assault. The opposite costs had been dismissed.

“It was a remorse,” she beforehand advised Fox Information Digital about her arrest. “Hitting all-time low, there’s just one approach to go, and it helped me to go up. So, actually, as unhealthy as that evening was, I feel it was additionally like a blessing in disguise and possibly may have saved my life in a bizarre manner, like, the place I used to be simply drowning in distress.”

A well-recognized sample for Bachelor Nation

Whereas the present state of affairs’s timing is uncommon, the franchise has confronted main controversies earlier than.

Former Bachelor Colton Underwood’s ex Cassie Randolph obtained a restraining order in 2020 after accusing him of stalking and harassment. Nonetheless, this unfolded after their season.

Manufacturing on Bachelor in Paradise was briefly halted in 2017 throughout an investigation into alleged misconduct earlier than filming resumed.

And in 2021, longtime host Chris Harrison stepped away after defending contestant Rachael Kirkconnell who was accused of previous racist actions.

For now, the present is occurring — because it all the time has — even because the controversy surrounding it continues to construct.

[This story has been updated with new comments from a ‘Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ cast member.]