In an unprecedented turn for the long-running reality franchise, the upcoming season of The Bachelorette has been officially scrubbed from the ABC schedule just days before its March 22 premiere.
However, despite the fallout, TMZ reported on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, that star Taylor Frankie Paul will retain her full salary, estimated in the low-to-mid six figures.
Sources confirm her contract was for "services rendered," and since filming and promotional tours were completed before the cancellation, the network is legally obligated to pay the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star.
The sudden cancellation currently stands as a primary crisis for Disney Entertainment Television.
Its primary mandate involves the immediate protection of the families involved after a 2023 video surfaced showing Paul throwing metal barstools at her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, in the presence of her young daughter.
** “In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision not to move forward,”** a spokesperson for Disney stated._ _“Our focus is on supporting the family.”
The scandal will also absorb and expand upon a growing legal battle in Utah.
A critical component of the newest reports from NBC News is that authorities are now investigating a third domestic violence incident involving Paul, allegedly stemming from an encounter in 2024.
This follows a separate investigation into an altercation that reportedly occurred as recently as February 2026.
One official cited the "prior plea in abeyance" for aggravated assault as a factor that could lead to enhanced charges if these new allegations are substantiated.
One of the most immediate challenges for Paul is a battle for custody.
Observers cited the "temporary protective order" granted to Mortensen last week as the primary reason he now has temporary custody of their 2-year-old son, Ever.
“After years of silently suffering... Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser,” a representative for Paul countered, alleging that she has been the victim of a long-term pattern of manipulation and abuse.
The establishment of this "total media blackout" for the season follows years of controversy surrounding the "MomTok" influencer.
While the show will not air, the emphasis remains on the safety of the children, with Paul’s ex-husband, Tate Paul, also reportedly seeking full custody of their two older children after seeing the leaked footage for the first time.
Director-level producers at Warner Bros. Discovery, which produces the series, pledged that the financial loss, estimated in the tens of millions, will be absorbed to avoid further public backlash.
As Paul prepares for a court hearing on April 7, the question remains: “Will the 'services rendered' clause in reality TV contracts be rewritten to include character and conduct stipulations in the wake of this $250,000 payout?” a question that is currently sending shockwaves through Hollywood's legal departments.