Taylor Frankie Paul’s Assault Video Resurfaces Ahead of Bachelorette Premiere

A video from a 2023 domestic dispute involving reality star Taylor Frankie Paul has resurfaced, showing her in a violent confrontation with her then-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen. The footage has drawn renewed scrutiny as Paul is set to appear on Season 22 of The Bachelorette, despite her felony conviction for aggravated assault. The incident, which resulted in injury to one of her children, has sparked significant backlash online, with many questioning the decision of the network to cast her. This renewed attention comes at a pivotal moment in her public life, as she prepares for a larger role in the reality TV landscape.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 19, 2026, 23:56 IST

Confrontation Caught on Camera

A disturbing video from a domestic dispute in 2023 involving reality TV star Taylor Frankie Paul and her former partner Dakota Mortensen has come back into the public eye. The footage shows Mortensen trying to film the altercation while Paul puts him in a headlock. After a brief pause, she charges at him again, escalating the situation. Paul then grabs a metal barstool and throws it at Mortensen, followed by two more projectiles. Tragically, one of Paul's children, who was on a nearby couch, was hit during the incident, suffering what a police report described as a "goose egg" on her head.

Law enforcement responded after a neighbor reported the disturbance. In the footage, officers can be heard trying to separate the couple, while Paul accuses Mortensen of having previously thrown her to the ground, a claim she reiterated to the police.

Legal Consequences

The video served as crucial evidence in the legal proceedings against Paul. She eventually entered a guilty plea for a felony aggravated assault charge and received a sentence of three years probation, which is set to conclude in August. As part of her plea deal, several other charges were dismissed, including domestic violence in front of a child and child abuse.

Controversy Surrounding The Bachelorette

The resurfacing of this video has sparked renewed controversy, especially with the upcoming premiere of Season 22 of The Bachelorette on ABC this Sunday. Despite her felony conviction, Paul is slated to appear on the show, leading to significant backlash online. Many are questioning ABC's choice to cast someone with a history of domestic assault, particularly one that involved a child being harmed. As of now, ABC has not issued any public statements regarding the renewed criticism.

Background on Taylor Frankie Paul

Taylor Frankie Paul gained fame through social media and reality television, amassing a large following prior to the incident that led to her conviction. The assault case received considerable media attention, and the reemergence of the footage has reignited discussions at a time when her public profile is about to expand significantly.