As Thursday approached, anticipation for Season 22 of “The Bachelorette” was at an all-time high. However, just days before the premiere, ABC made a shocking announcement – the season was cancelled. The reason? Disturbing footage had surfaced of the show’s star, Taylor Frankie Paul, involved in a domestic altercation with her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, leading to her arrest in 2023.
The timeline of Taylor and Dakota’s tumultuous relationship has been a rollercoaster of ups and downs. From a public split with her ex-husband in May 2022 to a rocky and ultimately tragic relationship with Mortensen, their dynamic has been far from smooth sailing. Despite a brief breakup in December 2022, the couple reunited only for Paul’s arrest in February 2023 to put a strain on their already fragile relationship.
Fast forward to 2024, and despite welcoming a son together, Ever True Mortensen, and appearing on the Hulu reality show “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” cracks in their relationship were starting to show. By December, it was clear that their romance was over, with Taylor sharing a tearful TikTok video announcing their split.
In September 2025, Taylor confirmed that their relationship was officially over, despite rumors of a reconciliation after being seen together at the Stagecoach music festival. However, the news that Taylor was chosen as the next Bachelorette seemed to solidify the end of their relationship, with Dakota expressing his emotions on TikTok.
Now, in March 2026, the cancellation of “The Bachelorette” adds another chapter to the complicated saga of Taylor and Dakota’s relationship. As an ongoing domestic assault investigation unfolds, the focus for the couple remains on coparenting their son, Ever True, despite the challenges they face.
The story of Taylor and Dakota is a reminder that relationships are complex and sometimes end in unexpected ways. As they navigate the aftermath of their tumultuous romance, the future for this couple remains uncertain.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.