Taylor Frankie Paul sent a message to Doug Mason after he reacted to the news ABC decided to cancel her season 22 of The Bachelorette.
“In light of everything that has happened, I am just sending prayers to Taylor because that was her moment and her moment was blocked,” Doug, 28, said in an Instagram video on Friday, March 20. “All we can do right now is just be hopeful, and I am headed off to run to watch the sunrise.”
He concluded, “I hope you guys have a great day, and let’s stay positive and show nothing but support for people in need.”
After a fan account for The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives reposted the video, Taylor, 31, replied in the comments section, writing alongside a bandage heart emoji, “Aw my heart goes out to him. So sweet.”
Despite Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of The Bachelorette being canceled, she has needed to carry on as usual. “[I’m] always on [my phone],” Taylor, 31, wrote via Instagram comment on Friday, March 20, after a fan questioned why the reality TV star was posting on social media amid the Bachelor Nation scandal. “It’s my job, […]
ABC announced on Thursday, March 19, that season 22 of The Bachelorette was canceled days before the scheduled Sunday, March 22, premiere.
“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 in a statement at the time.
The update came after TMZ released footage of Taylor physically assaulting and throwing multiple chairs at ex Dakota Mortensen in a 2023 incident. In the video, Taylor’s daughter can be heard crying in the background. (Taylor shares daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5, with ex-husband Tate Paul. She’s also mom to son Ever, whom she welcomed with Dakota in 2024.)
The incident led to Taylor’s arrest at the time, where she was charged with aggravated assault, two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse with injury and criminal mischief after the incident. Taylor ultimately pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, while the other four charges were dismissed with prejudice. She later reached a plea deal.
A rep for Taylor told Us in a statement on Thursday that she is “very grateful for ABC’s support” while she “prioritizes her family’s safety and security.”
Taylor Frankie Paul had been honest about her on–off relationship with Dakota Mortensen while filming The Bachelorette. “There were several conversations had [about Taylor’s status with Dakota], and the writing was on the wall,” a source exclusively tells Us Weekly, referring to Taylor and her Bachelorette contestants. “Many feel like their time was wasted.” Taylor, […]
“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 rep said.
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.”
Dakota, for his part, addressed the footage in a separate statement.
“As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation,” Dakota said at the time. “I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny. I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same.”
Dakota has since been granted a temporary protective order against Taylor and given temporary custody of their son, per documents obtained by Us.
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.