The Bachelorette Season 22 Axed Amid Domestic Violence Allegations Against Lead
The Bachelor franchise is facing fresh controversy after ABC cancelled The Bachelorette season 22. The decision follows allegations of domestic violence involving lead Taylor Frankie Paul and her ex-partner, Dakota Mortensen. Meanwhile, the show's long-term future remains uncertain amid declining ratings and ongoing criticism.
ABC abruptly halted production of The Bachelorette after a video surfaced allegedly showing an incident between Paul and Mortensen. The network cited the need to prioritise safety, and Paul later expressed gratitude for their support as she focuses on protecting her family. Reports indicate she is now exploring legal options to shield herself and her children from further harm.
The cancellation comes at a turbulent time for the franchise. In Germany, the *Bachelor* series had already seen falling viewership—*Bachelor in Paradise* dropped from 1.5 million to under 0.8 million viewers by 2025. Critics have long slammed the format for promoting toxic masculinity, racism, and unrealistic romance. Rumours of RTL scrapping the show entirely had circulated since 2023, fuelled by shifting audience habits and competition from streaming platforms. Despite the setback, former *Bachelor* contestant Joe Amabile believes the franchise will bounce back. He predicts *The Bachelor* could return, though *The Bachelorette* may struggle to recover from this scandal. Meanwhile, the show's iconic mansion recently underwent renovations, featured in HGTV's *Bachelor Mansion Takeover*.
The cancellation of Paul's season marks the first major disruption to The Bachelorette in years. With legal proceedings looming and public scrutiny intensifying, the franchise's next steps remain unclear. For now, ABC's focus stays on supporting those affected while assessing the show's future direction.
