{"id":49428,"date":"2026-03-23T10:09:34","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T10:09:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thetab.com\/realityshrine\/?p=49428"},"modified":"2026-03-23T10:54:37","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T10:54:37","slug":"all-the-the-biggest-bachelor-nation-cast-controversies-ever-amid-taylor-frankie-paul-drama","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thetab.com\/realityshrine\/2026\/03\/23\/all-the-the-biggest-bachelor-nation-cast-controversies-ever-amid-taylor-frankie-paul-drama\/","title":{"rendered":"All the biggest Bachelor Nation cast controversies ever amid Taylor Frankie Paul drama"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"96\" data-end=\"750\">If anyone thought Secret Lives of Mormon Wives was drama-filled, Taylor Frankie Paul getting pulled into the Bachelor Nation sphere has sent the mess meter all the way into the red.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"96\" data-end=\"750\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thetab.com\/realityshrine\/2026\/03\/16\/heres-when-season-five-of-the-secret-lives-of-mormon-wives-is-going-to-come-out\/\">The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives<\/a> star was meant to kick off a totally new era for The Bachelorette before everything unravelled in very public, very dramatic way.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"96\" data-end=\"750\">It has also reminded people that this franchise has a long, chaotic history when it comes to scandal.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"96\" data-end=\"750\">From secret girlfriends to racism fallouts to shocking background-check stories, Bachelor Nation has never exactly been controversy-free.<\/p>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"nydcj8\" data-start=\"752\" data-end=\"834\">Taylor\u2019s Bachelorette season cancelled before it even premiered<\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\" data-instgrm-captioned=\"\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DWGiX8IAcNq\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div style=\"padding: 16px;\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\"width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;\"><a style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DWGiX8IAcNq\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by New York Magazine (@nymag)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"836\" data-end=\"1539\">The biggest Bachelor Nation headline right now is <a href=\"https:\/\/thetab.com\/realityshrine\/2026\/03\/20\/how-many-times-has-taylor-frankie-paul-been-arrested-as-leaked-video-resurfaces\/\">Taylor Frankie Paul<\/a> herself.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"836\" data-end=\"1539\">ABC had cast the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives breakout as the lead of The Bachelorette season 22, but the network cancelled the already-filmed season just days before its planned March 22, 2026 premiere after <a href=\"https:\/\/thetab.com\/realityshrine\/2026\/03\/19\/abc-has-cancelled-the-bachelorette-following-leaked-taylor-frankie-paul-video\/\">a 2023 video resurfaced<\/a> showing a domestic altercation involving Paul and her ex Dakota Mortensen.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"836\" data-end=\"1539\">ABC said the decision was made to focus on supporting the family, while Draper City Police also confirmed an ongoing investigation tied to more recent allegations, per <a href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/taylor-frankie-paul-bachelorette-season-canceled-11928901\">PEOPLE<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"836\" data-end=\"1539\">The statement, released on March 19, read: &#8220;In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of\u00a0The Bachelorette\u00a0at this time, and\u00a0our focus is on supporting the family.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"836\" data-end=\"1539\">Taylor responded to the cancellation. Her statement read: \u201cTaylor is very grateful for ABC\u2019s support as she prioritizes her family\u2019s safety and security.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAfter 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.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere 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.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTaylor 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"t7ay0j\" data-start=\"1541\" data-end=\"1611\">Jed Wyatt\u2019s secret girlfriend scandal<\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Hannah Breaks Up With Jed Over Secret Girlfriend | The Bachelorette US\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PBOsbAlyHcI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1613\" data-end=\"2242\">If you watched Hannah Brown\u2019s season, you already know this one lives permanently in Bachelor infamy.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1613\" data-end=\"2242\">After Jed Wyatt won The Bachelorette in 2019, reports emerged that he had allegedly left for filming while still in a relationship with Haley Stevens.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1613\" data-end=\"2242\"><a href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/tv\/bachelorette-jed-wyatt-ex-haley-stevens-speaks-out\/\">Haley told PEOPLE<\/a> that Jed framed the show as an \u201cobstacle,\u201d and the fallout was so major that Hannah later ended their engagement after learning he had been dishonest.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1613\" data-end=\"2242\">Per <a href=\"https:\/\/www.refinery29.com\/en-us\/2019\/07\/239272\/jed-girlfriend-comments-bachelorette-after-final-rose\">Refinery29<\/a>, Jed said: &#8220;There was two very different views of what actually happened&#8230; It never felt like a relationship to me.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1613\" data-end=\"2242\">He also said he was seeing other women prior to the show, didn&#8217;t consider things with Hannah exclusive, and admitted to her &#8220;during an early date that he initially came on the show for the platform for his music.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1613\" data-end=\"2242\">Jed apologised during the live show, and said: &#8220;I am responsible for this. I will own up to it all day.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1613\" data-end=\"2242\">It was one of those scandals that changed the whole season, because what looked like a love story suddenly felt like a brutal PR stunt.<\/p>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"1gmv2st\" data-start=\"2244\" data-end=\"2317\">Rachael Kirkconnell\u2019s photos sparked a franchise-wide racism reckoning<\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Matt Explains Why He Can&#039;t Be With Rachael | The Bachelor\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KRWxCRK7M1U?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2319\" data-end=\"3048\">Few Bachelor controversies have had consequences as big as this one.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2319\" data-end=\"3048\">During Matt James\u2019s season, photos resurfaced showing contestant Rachael Kirkconnell at an antebellum plantation-themed party, prompting widespread backlash.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2319\" data-end=\"3048\">The situation escalated even further when longtime host Chris Harrison defended Kirkconnell in an interview with Rachel Lindsay and criticised the \u201cwoke police,\u201d comments he later apologised for, per <a href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.com\/GMA\/Culture\/chris-harrison-apologizes-defended-bachelor-contestant-rachael-kirkconnell\/story?id=75829067&amp;\">ABC<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2319\" data-end=\"3048\">Chris ultimately stepped aside and then exited the franchise, while the whole saga forced The Bachelor to confront years of criticism around race, representation and how the show protects its contestants.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2319\" data-end=\"3048\">As reported by <a href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.com\/GMA\/Culture\/bachelor-contestant-rachael-kirkconnell-apologizes-past-racist-actions\/story?id=75844251&amp;utm_source=chatgpt.com\">ABC<\/a>, Rachel later <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CLK5YDHHDQT\/?utm_source=ig_embed\">took to social media to apologise<\/a>, writing:<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">&#8220;I didn&#8217;t recognize how offensive and racist my actions were but that doesn&#8217;t excuse them. My age or when it happened does not excuse anything,&#8221; she wrote. &#8220;They are not acceptable or okay in any sense. I was ignorant, but my ignorance was racist.<\/p>\n<div class=\"oLzSq QrHMO GbsKS pvsTF EhJPu vPlOC zNYgW OsTsW AMhAA daRVX ISNQ sKyCY eRftA acPPc ebfE nFwaT MCnQE mEeeY SmBjI xegrY VvTxJ iulOd NIuqO zzscu lzDCc aHUBM hbvnu OjMNy eQqcx SVqKB GQmdz jaoD iShaE ONJdw vrZxD OnRTz gbbfF roDbV kRoBe oMlSS gfNzt oJhud eXZcf zhVlX \">\n<div class=\"lqtkC glxIO HfYhe vUYNV \">\n<div role=\"region\" data-testid=\"prism-static-embed\">She captioned the post: &#8220;My statement and apology is for the people of color that i have offended, if you do not identify as BIPOC then it is not your apology to accept. please be respectful to those who have been affected.&#8221;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"1vnfzow\" data-start=\"3050\" data-end=\"3132\">Erich Schwer\u2019s photo controversy<\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Gabby Speaks on Erich\u2019s Blackface Photo\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BwSob6wRw10?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3134\" data-end=\"3762\">Gabby Windey and Erich Schwer should have been enjoying their post-finale glow in 2022, but instead, their engagement rollout got swallowed by controversy.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3134\" data-end=\"3762\">A school yearbook photo of Erich in dark-toned make-up resurfaced right as the finale aired. He publicly apologised via Instagram in 2022, calling the image offensive and saying he was ashamed.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3134\" data-end=\"3762\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CiQzd7uvoxf\/?hl=en\">Eric wrote<\/a>: &#8220;I wholeheartedly apologize for the insensitive photo of me in Blackface from my high school yearbook that has been circulating. What I thought at the time was a representation of my love for Jimi Hendrix, was nothing but ignorance. I was na\u00efve to the hurtful implications of my actions to the Black community and those closest to me, and will forever regret my offensive and damaging behavior. I am deeply ashamed by my actions and understand that my apology is only the first step in taking accountability.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3134\" data-end=\"3762\">On top of that, leaked text messages from an ex appeared to suggest he had gone on the show partly for career reasons.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3134\" data-end=\"3762\">Gabby addressed both scandals in post-finale interviews.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3134\" data-end=\"3762\"><a href=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/2022\/tv\/news\/bachelorette-blackface-photo-erich-schwer-gabby-windey-1235379689\/\">Variety<\/a> reported: &#8220;Windey told host Jesse Palmer that her now-fianc\u00e9 had told her about those messages prior to them becoming public on social media, and the couple dealt with it on their own.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3134\" data-end=\"3762\">Speaking of the photo, she told Variety: &#8220;I found out with the rest of the world and it was an immediate punch in the gut \u2014 really, truly devastating, so, it was hard for both of us just to kind of weigh our values and where we\u2019re at and how this came about. And there is no excuse. He apologized, but ultimately there\u2019s really no excuse for this behavior. I think we\u2019re just really reflecting on ourselves, learning about where these biases come from [and] how they affect other people and how to change them and how to grow.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 data-section-id=\"kto4y6\" data-start=\"3764\" data-end=\"3843\">Devin Strader\u2019s past legal issues rocked Jenn Tran\u2019s season<\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Bachelorette\u2019s Devin Strader FIRES BACK at Jenn Tran After Dramatic Breakup | E! News\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0_qHbbmrxio?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3845\" data-end=\"4622\">Jenn Tran\u2019s season was already messy by the time the finale aired, but the controversy only deepened afterwards.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3845\" data-end=\"4622\">In September 2024, <a href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/bachelorette-finalist-devin-strader-violated-ex-alleged-previous-restraining-order-was-arrested-trespassing-8713702\">PEOPLE reported<\/a> that finalist Devin Strader had previously been arrested in 2017 and that court documents showed an ex sought a restraining order against him and later alleged repeated violations.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3845\" data-end=\"4622\">Devin later denied the abuse allegations and said reports about the case were misconstrued.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3845\" data-end=\"4622\"><a href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/davin-strader-calls-assault-allegations-simply-not-true-amid-past-arrests-8715444\">PEOPLE&#8217;s report<\/a> detailed his full statement shared via Instagram:<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3845\" data-end=\"4622\">\u201cFollowing my time on The Bachelorette, there have been many stories and misrepresentations put out in the media that I want to take a moment to address, I want to apologize for the video I released following the final episode. I am not proud of that lapse in judgment.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3845\" data-end=\"4622\">He continued: &#8220;I am truly grateful for my time on the show, and for getting the chance to know and love Jenn. I certainly regret hurting her in any way. She is a very special person, and I wish her nothing but good things.\u201d<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_10-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\">\u201cMost recently, there have been challenges from a low point in my past that have been brought up and severely misconstrued&#8230; The accusations are simply not true as I have never inappropriately laid hands on another individual or treated my ex-girlfriend in any of the ways I have been depicted.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_12-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\">&#8220;That restraining order was never granted, and fully dismissed. My college ex-girlfriend and I ended up reconciling, and eventually ended our relationship on good terms. This was the first time I ever fell in love and I learned a lot from our relationship. It was a growing experience for both of us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\">PEOPLE included an editor&#8217;s note reading: &#8220;A judge granted a temporary restraining order against Strader in March 2017, which was later extended by one month to April 2017. A permanent restraining order was never granted because his ex-girlfriend voluntarily dismissed the request.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Devin&#8217;s statement concluded: &#8220;I know that I have made mistakes in my life and that I am not perfect, but I have continued to work every day to be someone that my family and friends would be proud of, and I am truly thankful to everyone who has been by my side.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_21-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\">The report also states that PEOPLE obtained a petition for protection from abuse from March 22, 2017, &#8220;in which a woman named Strader as a defendant in her filing.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\">She claimed that she &#8220;found her room burglarized&#8221; after returning from out of town after the two &#8220;broke up,&#8221; and that &#8220;an item was missing.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_30-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\">She filed a temporary restraining order against Devin, but alleged in a police report that after he violated it \u201cnumerous times,\u201d he started a fire in the street near her home and burned &#8220;what appeared to be the actual restraining order.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_31-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-adslot mntl-block\">\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_34-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\">PEOPLE&#8217;s report adds: &#8220;A proof of conditions document shows that Strader was later charged with misdemeanor criminal trespass, ordered to pay $500, complete 30 hours of community service and attend the &#8216;Court&#8217;s Effective Decision-Making School&#8217;.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/bachelorette-devin-strader-arrested-2017-burglary-restraining-order-ex-girlfriend-8713522\">Entertainment Weekly<\/a> also reported: &#8220;Strader was subsequently arrested on burglary charges. He ultimately pleaded guilty to charges of criminal trespass and simple criminal damage to property of less than $500, and received one year of unsupervised probation.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p data-start=\"3845\" data-end=\"4622\">The revelations, also reported by <a href=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/2024\/tv\/news\/bachelorette-winner-devin-strader-arrest-restraining-order-1236147550\">Variety<\/a>, triggered major backlash and fresh questions about the franchise\u2019s vetting process.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3845\" data-end=\"4622\">PEOPLE reported: &#8220;According to a source close to The Bachelor franchise, the show takes &#8220;the safety&#8221; of the contestants &#8220;very seriously&#8221; and they &#8220;make every effort to conduct thorough diligence.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3845\" data-end=\"4622\">The source also told PEOPLE that the protective order against Strader &#8220;did not surface&#8221; in any background searches despite their &#8220;exhaustive vetting process.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"3845\" data-end=\"4622\">Taylor Frankie Paul, and Dakota released statements<\/h2>\n<p>Taylor Frankie Paul has now released a statement in response to the leaked video of her throwing the stools, with her rep telling\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/taylor-frankie-paul-on-shocking-2023-arrest-video-throwing-chairs-11930057\">Entertainment Weekly<\/a>: \u201cIt\u2019s sad to see the latest installment of his never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor without any regard for the consequences for their child.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cReleasing an old video, which conveniently omits context, on their son\u2019s birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThankfully, 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Dakota has also released his own statement to<a href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/taylor-frankie-paul-s-ex-dakota-mortensen-reacts-to-domestic-violence-investigation-11928813?_gl=1*133uyv9*_ga*MTIxMDQ1OTQ3OS4xNzE0MDc4Mzcy*_ga_DK3GDWHWJH*czE3NzM5MTczNzEkbzIwMyRnMSR0MTc3MzkxOTcwMyRqNjAkbDAkaDA.\">\u00a0Entertainment Weekly<\/a>, saying: \u201cHis number one priority here is protecting [their 2-year-old son], Ever. He knew there was a possibility it 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. It\u2019s been really hard to achieve that, but he wants to co-parent well.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe was just hoping that if he says nothing, as he usually does, it would go away. He\u2019s never done any kind of sit-down interview about his side. He kind of just lets it all happen to him, and I think he realizes with the severity of everything now that he just can\u2019t do that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><i>For all the latest reality TV cast member news, scandals, gossip and updates \u2013 like\u00a0<\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/realitytvshrine.com\/\"><span class=\"s1\"><b><i>Reality Shrine<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/a><i>\u00a0on\u00a0<\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/realityshrineofficial?rdid=TzQu2kEd2cUqU4rD&amp;share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F14zX5cKubf%2F#\"><span class=\"s1\"><b><i>Facebook<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/a><i>.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There have been some truly shocking moments<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":249734210,"featured_media":49441,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1358],"tags":[1444,1637,1883],"class_list":["post-49428","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-the-bachelor","tag-the-bachelorette","tag-the-secret-lives-of-mormon-wives"],"acf":[],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/realitytvshrine.com\/realityshrine\/2026\/03\/23\/all-the-the-biggest-bachelor-nation-cast-controversies-ever-amid-taylor-frankie-paul-drama\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"All the biggest Bachelor Nation cast controversies ever amid Taylor Frankie Paul 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