The Cancellation of The Bachelorette: What's Going On with Reality TV?

By: Lucy Fries, Senior Writer Edited by: Rezi Ubogu

Reality TV, especially seasonal shows, is known for bringing people together. Friends gather on couches on certain days of the week, social media floods with the latest updates, and debates arise as everyone shares opinions on how these stars should live their lives. It’s a cultural phenomenon built on the hope of finding true love. However, this year, one of America’s most beloved reality romance series just got…well, dumped.

On March 19th, just three days before audiences would have tuned in, The Bachelorette was pulled by ABC’s parent company, Disney, after headlines broke about an investigation involving this season's lead, Taylor Frankie Paul. Best known for her appearance in the series Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Paul is no stranger to the spotlight. But this time, she’s making headlines for all the wrong reasons. The ongoing investigation has not only left fans in suspense this season, but also highlights the decline of reality TV and its inherent contradiction: scripted authenticity.

For some, the cancellation came out of thin air; Others aren’t surprised. In desperation for a new season and devastated to hear that there wouldn’t be one, the Internet worked its magic, seeking out the root cause immediately after the cancellation was announced. Not long after, a two-year-old video of Paul seemingly attacking her ex, Dakota Mortensen, with a chair surfaced. Additionally, fans recognized that Mortensen wasn’t the only one in the video and pointed out that Paul’s two-year-old child, whom she shares with Mortensen, was sitting close by on a couch not far from where Paul allegedly threw a chair at Mortensen.

In addition to the child present in the video, Paul also has two other children, a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old, whom she shares with her first ex-husband, Tate Paul. Tate and Taylor separated in 2020, after Taylor had been involved in a “soft-swinging” scandal with another couple, a part of the Mormon community, ultimately resulting in divorce. 

Today.com shared that Paul spoke out about the situation during a press release, stating, “Honestly, just like, my heart hurts to see it, to go through it, especially at this time. Just the timing is hard, and it’s a big deal. I feel like every premiere that I’ve experienced, I’ve never enjoyed fully, so this is another one... It’s extremely hard, and it took everything to get me here today.”

The cultural severity of the present Bachelorette situation alludes to a deeper examination into the standards around reality TV, which, interestingly enough, seems to be on the decline anyway. Not too long after the Bachelorette announcement, The New York Times put out an article highlighting the various changes in TV development, “Reality TV Confronts a Harsh TV Reality”. In response to Time’s report, TV News Check called out the harsh reality of reality television and the culture surrounding it. “It [reality television] normalized the idea that private life was raw material for public consumption,” wrote TV News Check, “It taught a generation that authenticity could be performed…” 

In regard to The Bachelorette, similar ethical questions are arising regarding the absence of a proper background check on Paul before signing her as the next Bachelorette. With video evidence circulating, many outlets, including Salon.com, are speaking out about the issue, questioning whether ABC and Disney simply chose to disregard the apparent issue or take a gamble.

Aside from The Bachelorette, many shows appear to be doing well, such as Love Island USA, which gained significant audience attention and engagement over the summer, as well as Dancing with the Stars. However, reality shows, of all sorts, including those on Food Network, seem to be on the decline, and networks are carefully selecting what is worth airing. 

Fortunately for reality TV, The Bachelorette is a show that consistently draws in a lot of viewers' attention. Unfortunately, the attention this year seems to be for the wrong reason. As the investigation between Paul and her ex-husband remains ongoing and up in the air, so does the fate of many reality programs. Nonetheless, one thing remains true: The Bachelorette lovers have been left hanging at the podium, unaware that last year's season would be their final rose.

© 2026 by FETCH COLLECTIVE