Taylor Frankie Paul did indeed find love on The Bachelorette, but multiple sources tell Page Six that it’s “unclear” how that romance will play out after the show was canceled in the wake of her shocking domestic violence video.
The “Mormon Wives” star, 31, was wooed by 22 suitors over the course of the ABC show, and California lifeguard and surfer Doug Mason, 28, is believed to be the winner who won her heart.
It is believed that Mason got down on one knee and proposed, but a source close to the show said, “Frankie and Doug are still in touch, but what will happen next is unclear and will be decided in the future.”
What happened on Paul’s season is “very much in line with past shows,” said an industry insider, who acknowledged that a proposal happened and “there could be a ring.”
Although he has no plans to leave his home state of Utah, the divorced father-of-three said he appeared on the show as an “opportunity…an escape” to get a fresh start away from ex-girlfriend Dakota Mortensen, a source said. They claimed that Mortensen was “jealous that he was going to be on the show again and be with all of them.”
“Taylor was desperately trying to get out of this toxic relationship[with Mortensen],” one source said, claiming she had “tremendous support from a lot of people who were on that show and all the other shows.”
Page Six has reached out to ABC and Paul’s representatives.
Executives at ABC, which runs the show, said they planned to speak with all the men who competed for Paul’s attention this week to “determine what happens next.”
ABC chose Paul as its leading lady, even though she was arrested in 2023 on charges of misdemeanor assault, criminal mischief and domestic violence in front of a child after a fight with Mortensen, and even though she has a 2-year-old son, Ever.
Paul took a plea deal on the aggravated assault charge in 2023, and all other charges were dropped. If she meets the terms of the agreement, the charge will be reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor after 36 months.
Despite her background, ABC moved forward with filming “The Bachelorette.” But after TMZ released video footage of Paul throwing a chair at Mortensen in 2023 in front of his then-5-year-old daughter Indi, the network canceled the entire series just three days before it was scheduled to air on Sunday night.
Paul also lost temporary custody of Ever after Mortensen filed for a protective order against her on Thursday. According to USA Today, local authorities also confirmed that a domestic assault investigation involving Paul and Mortensen is underway after they accused each other.
“I’m just praying for Taylor in light of everything that’s happened, because that was her moment and her moment was thwarted,” Mason said in an Instagram video Friday. “All we can do now is hope.
“I hope you all have a great day. Let’s stay positive and just show support for those in need.”
When a fan account for The Secret Life of a Mormon Mrs. Mormon reposted the video, Paul responded in the comments section with a heart emoji with a bandage on it, saying, “Oh my heart goes out to him. So sweet.”
Meanwhile, Mason seems content to move on, replying to a call for “Bachelor for Doug Mason” on Instagram by writing, “Let’s gooo.”
