Shortly after the video was published, a Disney spokesperson confirmed that ABC had pulled Taylor’s season of “The Bachelorette,” which was set to premiere on Sunday.
“My personal history as a survivor makes it impossible for me to stay silent,” castmate Layla Taylor said in a Friday Instagram story. “I stand firmly against domestic violence in any form.”
Taylor’s story also did not not mention Paul by name, but she wrote she is keeping the “children in her thoughts, hoping for their safety above all else.”
Earlier this week, reports emerged of a separate domestic violence incident involving both Paul and Mortensen, which spurred a pause in filming for the fifth season of “Mormon Wives.”
The West Jordan Police Department in Utah confirmed to NBC News on Wednesday that the department received a domestic violence allegation involving Paul, but declined to detail the allegation or any potential charges.
The Draper Police Department in Utah told PEOPLE Magazine earlier this week that there is an open “domestic assault investigation” regarding Paul and Mortensen and that “allegations have been made in both directions.” The police spokesperson said that “contact was made with involved parties on [Feb] 24th and 25th.”
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Video of Taylor Frankie Paul altercation emerges
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In 2023, Paul was charged with assault, criminal mischief and domestic violence in the presence of a child in connection with the incident. Court records indicate that Paul pleaded guilty in abeyance to an aggravated assault charge in August 2025, and the other four charges were dismissed with prejudice.
“I will have my truth,” Paul said in a phone interview with NBC News after the video was released, but before ABC pulled her “Bachelorette” season.
A spokesperson for Paul told NBC News on Thursday, after TMZ released the video, that the recording is the “latest installment of [Mortensen’s] never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor without any regard for the consequences for their child.”
“Releasing an old video, which conveniently omits context, on their son’s birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior,” the spokesperson added. “Thankfully, the public has seen this act before and knows who he is and sadly, many will recognize this pattern of manipulation, both in his actions on the show, and from their own experiences.”
Mortensen did not immediately respond to multiple requests for comment about the video. On Thursday, Mortensen, through his attorney, filed for a protective order against Paul. The filing was returned for correction and an amended petition, according to Salt Lake County District Court records.
Read more NBC News coverage of Taylor Frankie Paul:
As previously reported by NBC News, cast members of “Mormon Wives” told ABC executives at a meeting earlier this month they had concerns about continuing the show if Paul remained involved.
In audio of the roughly 30-minute Zoom meeting on March 7 obtained by NBC News, the stars voiced concerns over the future of their careers, the show’s brand, and the allegations surrounding Paul and Mortensen. They also brought up alleged abuse involving Paul, who has three children, one of whom she shares with Mortensen.
“It’s a dangerous situation, it’s a sad situation, and we don’t know how to navigate it, because Taylor is our friend,” the cast member said to ABC brass at the virtual meeting.
There were three Disney executives at the March meeting, including Rob Mills, the EVP of unscripted and alternative entertainment at Walt Disney Television, the person who shared the recording told NBC News. Representatives for Disney declined to provide additional statements on the matter.
Cast members gave accounts of Paul’s alleged behavior at the meeting, according to the audio. Mills said, “I don’t know a lot, nor do I want to know too much.”
“This is not me putting my head in the sand, but it’s not me — you know, I don’t want to inquire, because I don’t know what that does,” Mills later said.