Taylor Frankie Paul did indeed find love on “The Bachelorette” – but “it’s unclear” how that romance will play out after the show was put on ice in the wake of her shocking domestic violence video, multiple sources tell Page Six.
The “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star, 31, was wooed by a gaggle of 22 suitors during the course of the ABC show and Doug Mason, a 28-year-old lifeguard and surfer from California is understood to be the winner who captured her heart.
Mason is believed to have got down on one knee and “proposed,” but a show source said, “Frankie and Doug are still in touch, but it’s unclear what will happen now, that’s to be determined.”
What went down on Paul’s season is “absolutely along the lines of past shows,” said an industry insider, confirming that a proposal happened and “there may be a ring”.
Even though she has no plans to move away from her native Utah, divorced mother-of-three Paul said she went on the show as an “opportunity…an escape” to get a fresh start away from her ex, Dakota Mortensen, sources told us. They claimed that in turn, Mortensen was “jealous that she was getting another show, and she was going to be around all these guys.
“Taylor was trying desperately to get out of this toxic relationship [with Mortensen],” said one source in the know, who insisted she had had “a lot of support from a lot of people who were around that show and all the other shows.”
Page Six has reached out to ABC and reps for Paul.
Execs at ABC, the network behind the show, will be talking to all the men who competed for Paul’s attentions this week, we’re told, and “ascertain what the future holds.”
ABC chose Paul as the leading lady even though she was arrested in 2023 and charged with misdemeanor assault, criminal mischief and commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child following a fight with Mortensen, with whom she shares son Ever, two.
Paul made a plea deal on the aggravated assault charge in 2023 and all the other charges were dropped. As long as she meets the conditions of her deal, the charge will be reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor after 36 months.
Despite her history, ABC went ahead with filming “The Bachelorette.” However, the network then pulled the entire series just three days before it was due to launch Sunday night after TMZ published video footage of Paul throwing chairs at Mortensen in front of her daughter, Indy, who was 5 at the time, in 2023.
Paul also lost temporary custody of Ever after Mortensen filed for an order of protection against her on Thursday. Local authorities have also confirmed an ongoing domestic assault investigation involving both Paul and Mortensen, after they have made allegations against each other, according to USA Today.
“In light of everything that has happened, I am just sending prayers to Taylor because that was her moment and her moment was blocked,” Mason said in an Instagram video on Friday. “All we can do right now is just be hopeful.
“I hope you guys have a great day, and let’s stay positive and show nothing but support for people in need.”
After a fan account for “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” reposted the video, Paul replied in the comments section, writing alongside a bandage heart emoji, “Aw my heart goes out to him. So sweet.”
Mason, meanwhile, seems to be happy to move on, replying to Instagram calls for “Doug Mason for Bachelor”, by writing, “Let’s goooo.”
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