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Ahead of Taylor Frankie Paul‘s now-canceled season, The Bachelorette producers were excited — but also wary — of changing the amount of control they handed over to a lead.
Showrunner Scott Teti spoke to Vulture in a profile published on Friday, March 20, which was conducted before season 22 was pulled off air, saying, “We let [Taylor] make her own decisions in a way that affected the format, and sometimes that was a little scary because it was ‘You want to do what?’”
Teti explained how usually leads have been more hands-off.
“It gives producers heart attacks, but also it’s very exhilarating because you don’t usually give talent that freedom to do those things,” he continued. “There are moments that are just like, Oh my God, what has she done?”
Season 22, which was scheduled to premiere on Sunday, March 22, would have followed over 20 suitors as they competed for Taylor’s heart. Her search for love came after her breakup from ex Dakota Mortensen.
“I’m most looking forward to is meeting a handful of people that are outside my bubble — and even if there’s a couple in there, that’s OK — but I’m just excited to get to know different perspectives and new parts about myself too,” the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star told Us Weekly in October 2025. “It’s out of my comfort zone, so, obviously, it’s scary. You’re dealing with feelings — and you’re dealing with other people’s feelings — and I don’t really like to hurt other people’s feelings, especially when you’re being vulnerable and open.”
Teti, meanwhile, acknowledged some concerns after Taylor, 31, and Dakota’s tumultuous relationship, which was documented on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.
“It’s always a concern of how people are going to react to all those things. But I think when you look at what is going to make the most interesting story to tell, she is one of those more interesting stories,” he added before sharing his first thoughts on Mormon Wives, “I realized, Oh my God, this girl is one of the most honest reality TV stars that I’ve ever seen. As we talked more, I realized she has no ability to really lie. Everything is really authentic — all the truth just comes out.”
Taylor will no longer be leading the next season of the franchise after news broke that she was involved in an alleged domestic violence dispute in February. The alleged altercation reportedly led to season 5 of Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives being put on pause.
“There’s more to the context to everything, and it’s unfortunate,” Taylor exclusively told Us on Tuesday, March 17. “It’s been hard. And it sucks to be in this position.”
The mother of three — who shares son Ever, 2, with Dakota, 33, and daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5, with ex-husband Tate Paul — denied that the incident had anything to do with her as a parent.
“And the mother that I am, that is something I will always stand my ground on. I believe that I am a good mother and I have always treated my kids very well,” Taylor explained. “So the headlines that are out right now are very hard to see, because that’s not the truth of it. I have always treated my children with respect and I’ve never touched them. So it’s been really hard.”
Footage from a 2023 incident between Taylor and Dakota surfaced on Thursday, March 19. In the video, Taylor is seen throwing chairs at Dakota while her daughter cries in the background.
A Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson told Us on Thursday, “In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family.”
