Rachel Lindsay, who starred onThe Bachelorettein 2017, thinks theTaylor Frankie Paulcontroversy has done irreparable damage toThe Bachelorfranchise.
"I think it's over," Lindsay said on Thursday's episode of theBachelor Partypodcast, after learning that ABC hadcancelled the upcoming seasondays before its scheduled March 22 premiere. "I was trying to think of a scenario where it could be different, because this isn't just, 'Oh, we put it all on a person. This person did this.' This is the system that allowed this to happen."
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Lindsay said she believes, "The nameBachelorette,Bacheloris tainted at this point. How do you move forward past that? You can't."
ABCchose not to air the show following TMZ's publication earlier in the day of a video that depicted Paul hurling chairs at boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, as her young daughter watched. Both Paul and Mortensen had previously appeared on the reality TV seriesThe Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.
Lindsay said that she did know that Paul had been accused of domestic violence in the past, but she hadn't been aware of the full extent of the situation. When Paul was revealed as the star ofThe Bachelorette, she was excited.
"I didn't do more research, and this is where I'm going to blame myself. I couldn't have explained it to you the way I can explain things now. I knew that there was an issue," Lindsay said. "I thought they both were at fault. I knew there was a child present. I thought it had been concluded that the child was not struck, and I thought she pled to something."
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Paul and Mortensen's relationship had made headlines in 2023, when she was arrested in connection to a domestic incident. And, in fact, Paul pleaded guilty in abeyance to aggravated assault in connection with the incident. She was put on probation, which had been scheduled to end in August but that's now being evaluated.
Following the cancellation, a rep for Paul gave a statement toEntertainment Weekly: "Taylor is very grateful for ABC's support as she prioritizes her family's safety and security. 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."
In conclusion, 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."
Mortensen, meanwhile, is focused on parenting the couple's shared son, 2-year-old Ever.
"He knew there was a possibility [the video] could come out, but he was not going to be the one to proactively do that because he has always wanted a decent relationship with Taylor," a sourcetoldEntertainment Weeklyof Mortensen. "It's been really hard to achieve that, but he wants to co-parent well."
The Bachelorettedebuted in 2003, following the premiere ofThe Bachelora year earlier. Twenty-nine seasons of the original series have aired, with the last cycle concluding in 2025. New episodes ofThe Bachelorettelast aired in 2024, its 21st season.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go tothehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
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