A participant from season 22 of The Bachelorette has addressed speculation that Taylor Frankie Paul abruptly left their date during filming.
On the Thursday, April 2, episode of the “Bachelor Happy Hour” podcast, co-host Charity Lawson inquired, “There have been articles about Taylor allegedly storming off during a date. While we can’t delve into too many details, can you confirm, deny, or offer a hint about what happened?” Contestant Casey Hux responded, “Yeah, I’ll deny and tease a little bit.”
Casey, 30, stated he was unaware of the origin of these rumors, although TMZ had reported that Taylor, 31, allegedly “stormed off the set” when questioned about her 2023 domestic violence arrest. (Taylor faced charges of aggravated assault, domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse, and criminal mischief. She pleaded guilty to felony aggravated assault, leading to the other charges being dismissed.)
Casey recounted, “We were at an undisclosed location at an undisclosed time, and she brought up the incident in detail, similar to the incident involving her child.”
Just days before the premiere of Taylor’s season of The Bachelorette in March, TMZ released video footage from a 2023 incident showing Taylor physically assaulting and throwing chairs at her then-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, in the presence of her daughter, Indy. (Taylor has daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5, with ex-husband Tate Paul, and son Ever, 2, with Dakota.)
Casey explained, “When the video surfaced, she had already described the incident to me vividly, so it wasn’t something she avoided discussing. She asked us tough questions, wanting to know our thoughts, and as someone serious about making a lifetime decision, you need to be informed and ask these questions.”
He added, “Taylor was the one who initially brought it up, and it took me a while to process everything. We were enjoying our evening, and it felt like the wrong moment to delve into it, and I was unsure of my feelings.”
Revisiting the topic later, Casey mentioned that Taylor handled it “very calmly and collectedly.”
Taylor Frankie Paul hinted at her journey on The Bachelorette even before ABC decided to cancel the season. In March, news emerged of a domestic incident involving Taylor and her on-again, off-again ex, Dakota Mortensen, prompting The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives to pause production on season 5. A spokesperson for the show commented, […]
Casey clarified, “There was no storming off, no anger, just sadness. The only thing worse than being on the receiving end of such an act is being the person who did it and living with that for life. If it were me, I’d be constantly haunted by it, struggling to maintain control and not revert to that behavior.”
He continued, “I explained to her that this was the reason I ended my relationship. It’s a sensitive topic for me, something very personal. Taylor admitted, ‘It was the worst day of my life, and I acted on it. I gave up drinking after that.’ To me, that was enough.”
Casey remarked that he didn’t need “a lengthy sob story” from Taylor. He appreciated that she “took responsibility, made a conscious change, and stuck to it.”
“That meant a lot to me,” he shared. “It was a powerful moment for us, and I’m grateful we got to discuss it one-on-one because reading a news article and forming opinions without firsthand insight could have led to misunderstandings.”
The Bachelor Nation community has not hesitated to offer both advice and criticism for Taylor Frankie Paul as she prepared for her season of The Bachelorette. Taylor, 31, was announced as the lead for ABC’s 22nd season of the show in September 2025. With controversy emerging days before her March 22 premiere, some alumni have shifted their perspectives, while […]
Last month, ABC decided to cancel season 22 of The Bachelorette following allegations of another domestic dispute between Taylor and Dakota.
“With the recent video surfacing today, we have decided not to proceed with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, focusing instead on supporting the family,” a Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson told Us in a statement.
Taylor later responded to ABC’s decision through her representative, expressing gratitude for the network’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security.
“After enduring extensive mental and physical abuse and threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally finding the strength to confront her accuser and taking measures to protect herself and her children from further harm,” the representative stated. “Many women suffer in silence while dealing with aggressive, jealous ex-partners who resist letting them move on. Taylor remained silent due to fear of further abuse, retaliation, and public shaming. She is exploring her options, seeking support, and preparing to share her story.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
