Studying Time: 3 minutes
For ABC, the timing couldn’t be worse.
Lower than one week earlier than Taylor Frankie Paul’s debut as The Bachelorette, the truth TV vet — who acquired her begin on Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives — is on the heart of a rising scandal.
Paul and ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen are being investigated for home abuse, and the scenario is so critical that Secret Lives producers determined to close down manufacturing.
Now, ABC may be at first of a mass exodus of advertisers. TMZ is now reporting that Cinnabon has ended its promotional partnership with The Bachelorette in response to Taylor’s authorized points.
“Latest developments and allegations surrounding the lead solid member led us to reassess this collaboration because it not aligns with our model values,” the model mentioned in an announcement.
ABC is reluctant to tug the plug on this season, having already invested tens of thousands and thousands in manufacturing and promotion.
But when advertisers proceed to bail, they may be left with no alternative. And on high of all of this, there’s an opportunity that Taylor might wind up going through felony expenses.
And in that occasion, it could be a extremely dangerous search for ABC to proceed plastering her likeness in every single place as they promote her season of The Bachelorette.
Authorities have confirmed that the investigation stays open, with allegations reportedly made by each events following incidents that unfolded in late February.
Lately, these closest to Paul are usually not hiding their concern.
“We’re all fearful for Taylor’s well-being,” one supply advised Individuals, including that they hope she “will get the assistance she wants.”
The identical report claims that Paul has continued to remain in frequent contact with Mortensen — together with late-night calls that generally happen between 10 p.m. and three a.m.
Whereas the character of these conversations is unclear, the scenario has raised eyebrows amongst those that know her finest.
This isn’t the primary time Paul’s relationship with Mortensen has drawn critical consideration.
In 2023, she was arrested following a separate alleged home violence incident involving him.
On the time, she confronted a number of misdemeanor expenses, together with assault, after an altercation wherein a chair was allegedly thrown and struck her daughter.
She later entered a plea settlement tied to an aggravated assault cost, with different expenses dismissed.
Now, with a brand new investigation underway, these previous occasions are as soon as once more a part of the broader dialog surrounding her present scenario.
Not surprisingly, the lads who competed for Taylor’s coronary heart this season are usually not thrilled with the scenario.
“They’re extraordinarily disillusioned. They felt betrayed after they discovered this out as a result of all of them went into this to genuinely get to know Taylor,” a supply tells Individuals.
We can have additional updates on this growing story as new data turns into accessible.