{"id":850692,"date":"2026-03-26T03:14:26","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T03:14:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/850692\/"},"modified":"2026-03-26T03:14:26","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T03:14:26","slug":"what-the-men-of-taylor-frankie-pauls-bachelorette-season-are-saying","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/850692\/","title":{"rendered":"What the Men of Taylor Frankie Paul\u2019s Bachelorette Season Are Saying"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tTaylor Frankie Paul<\/a> set out to ignite a spark with a potential lover on season 22 of The Bachelorette<\/a>, but ultimately it ended in flames for everyone involved \u2014 including the 22 men \u2014 before it even aired.<\/p>\n

\n\tNow those men are destined to become ghosts, as ABC decided to pull Paul\u2019s season<\/a> days before its premiere following reports <\/a>of an alleged domestic violence incident involving the show\u2019s lead and her ex, Dakota Mortensen, with whom she shares a son. TMZ\u00a0also released a video <\/a>of what led to Paul\u2019s arrest in 2023 for another domestic violence incident involving Mortensen. She pled guilty to aggravated assault at the time and the incident was detailed on Paul\u2019s other reality series, Hulu\u2019s\u00a0The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.<\/p>\n

\n\tAnd on Wednesday, NBC News reported that Paul is under investigation for an alleged third domestic violence incident<\/a> involving Mortensen that occurred in 2024.<\/p>\n

\n\tWhile a spokesperson for Paul said<\/a> she\u2019s \u201cvery grateful for ABC<\/a>\u2019s support as she prioritizes her family\u2019s safety and security\u201d following the network\u2019s decision, the men who were once vying for her heart<\/a> are now left in limbo, as they\u2019re not likely to get their 15 minutes of fame anytime soon.<\/p>\n

\n\tAnd what makes it worse is that the suitors on the long-running ABC reality dating show often take time away from their families, leave jobs and pause their lives to appear on the series, which films for several weeks. So this leaves one outstanding question: was the whole experience a waste of time for these men?<\/p>\n

\n\tThough most of the other contestants have remained tight-lipped on their true thoughts about the season being pulled, likely out of respect for Paul or due to their contracts with ABC, some have taken to their respective social media accounts to offer reactions.<\/p>\n

\n\tBrad Ledford<\/a>, a 29-year-old cowboy and entrepreneur from Newport Beach, California, shared in a video on his Instagram Story this week, \u201cNot gonna dive into my full opinion on the whole Bachelorette situation. Obviously a lot of questions about it. I will say that I could care less about a TV show not airing right now. There\u2019s real kids involved, real family involved, and I want the best for them. I want the best for Taylor\u2019s kids. I want the best for Taylor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cGod\u2019s love has no bounds. It knows no boundaries,\u201d he continued. \u201cHe\u2019s forgiven me for many things, and he\u2019s already forgiven Taylor. I want Taylor to find that piece and I want her kids to have that peace in the future more than anything, and I think they can, you know, it\u2019s there for them if they want it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tLedford concluded, \u201cI think ABC made the right decision for right now. I think the biggest bummer is just that some of these guys on the show were incredible. They\u2019ve got incredible stories, really good testimonies, some stuff that I think a lot of America could benefit from hearing. And I hope that y\u2019all do get to hear that in some way, shape or form. Maybe it\u2019s on their own posts and their own platforms or it\u2019s on a show that they\u2019re on in the future or something, but there\u2019s some incredible guys on the season.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tDoug Mason, a 28-year-old ocean lifeguard from San Diego, California, said in a video on his Instagram Story, \u201cIn light of everything that\u2019s happened, I\u2019m just sending out prayers to Taylor because that was her moment and her moment was blocked. All we can do right now is be hopeful. Let\u2019s stay positive and show nothing but support for people in need.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cAppreciate everyone reaching out,\u201d Johnnie LaRossa, a 30-year-old former professional baseball player from Massapequa, New York, wrote on social media. \u201cGrateful for the experience. I\u2019ve gotta say the group of guys were truly unbelievable. Nothing but respect for them. Love you boys, and any woman would be lucky to have each and every one of them!\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tClayton Johnson, a 36-year-old singer-songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee, also shared, \u201cI can honestly say this was one of the best groups of men I\u2019ve ever been around. So much integrity, respect and heart across the board. Even the tough moments never took away from that. Any woman would be lucky to be with any of these guys.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tMatthew Carroll, a 43-year-old real estate broker from Carmel, Indiana, added on his social media, \u201cOn pause for now. Thank you for everyone\u2019s support and thoughtful messages.\u201d And Malik Evans, a 30-year-old tech executive from Brooklyn, New York, wrote on his Instagram Story, \u201cI\u2019m doing okay. Hope to share more soon. Thank you to everyone who has reached out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tOther contestants from the season have also made funny videos, joking about the show not premiering, while others have also started to open up about their personal stories, since it doesn\u2019t seem like fans will be getting to know them via the show anytime soon.<\/p>\n

\n\tRichard Van De Water, a 35-year-old photographer from Charleston, South Carolina, recently opened up on Instagram<\/a> about becoming completely deaf in one ear as a teenager due to an accident involving a red rose stem, ironically, he said (the Bachelorette gives out red roses on the show). \u201cI hope you\u2019ll stick around to hear me tell it, and maybe I\u2019ll still get a chance to share it on\u00a0@bacheloretteabc\u00a0@bachelornation. Nonetheless, I hope it encourages someone else who may be struggling as well,\u201d he wrote in the post\u2019s caption.<\/p>\n

\n\tABC ultimately made the decision<\/a> to shelve the season once the 2023 video surfaced. \u201cIn light of the\u00a0newly released video\u00a0that surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of\u00a0The Bachelorette\u00a0at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,\u201d a Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson previously told THR.<\/p>\n

\n\tHowever, that decision comes with a cost and a hefty one at that. By not airing season 22, the network could incur a loss of $30 million or more<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n\tAs the details surrounding what unfolded during Paul\u2019s season remain mostly a mystery (aside from social media rumors), she did tease the drama to THR <\/a>at a press event in New York City days before ABC\u2019s decision was announced.<\/p>\n

\n\tThe Mormon Wives star said she \u201cdefinitely had a good experience\u201d overall, with no major regrets. \u201cThere are a few things I would do a little differently. However, I feel very good in the experience of how I treated it and was there, and gave it my all,\u201d she shared at the time. \u201cI have no regrets \u2014 just things I could have probably done a little differently, but very lighthearted ones.\u201d<\/p>\n