Taylor Frankie Paul could face lawsuit, be forced to return ‘Bachelorette’ paychecks over canceled season

Taylor Frankie Paul could be required to return her compensation for Season 22 of “The Bachelorette” after ABC pulled the show in response to a newly surfaced video that appears to show alleged domestic violence.

Lawyer Ashlee Difuntorum of Kinsella Holley Iser Kump Steinsapir LLP exclusively spoke with Page Six about the legal repercussions the “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star could be facing amid the scandal.

“When working with a public person for any project, companies almost always include a morality clause in the contract,” Difuntorum shared.

This type of clause is usually “very broad” and states that the person cannot do anything to “reflect negatively on the company,” the attorney explained.

“I would think Taylor Frankie Paul’s contracts tied to ‘The Bachelorette’ would include this type of clause, and also that the clause covers this situation,” Difuntorum said.

The reality TV star’s contract also likely stated that if she were to breach the morality clause, then she wouldn’t be owed her promised paycheck, or a portion of what she was supposed to be paid for the gig.

“If she’s already been paid, it might require her to return that payment,” the legal eagle shared, noting, “Her contracts might also include liquidated damages (pre-determined amount of damages) or a requirement that she indemnify the company.”

However, Difuntorum believes it is unlikely that Paul would have to pay back all of the money the company lost out on for pulling the season. That said, it is possible that ABC could sue her for breach of contract — though it’s more likely that they would go after the production company.

“Typically, the network contracts with the production company, and then the production company contracts with the contestants, producer, crew, vendors, etc,” Difuntoru said, explaining that there was probably a clause requiring the production company to vet the contestants and the lead.

“If ABC feels like the production company failed to adequately vet Taylor Frankie Paul, they might seek reimbursement or compensation from the production company,” the litigator said.

Difuntorum pointed out that production was most likely aware of Paul’s alleged 2023 assault as it was heavily featured as a plotline in “Mormon Wives.”

“If the production company flagged the issue to ABC already and ABC chose to move forward with the season anyway, ABC would likely have a hard time getting any amount from the production company,” Difuntorum said.

That said, big networks like ABC usually have insurance that would cover this kind of circumstance.

“For example, the insurance might cover cancellation of the season,” Difuntorum said. “But even then, it’s unclear without reviewing the policy language whether this specific situation is covered.”

“Even if event cancellation is included, I think a key issue would be what ABC already knew about Taylor Frankie Paul’s history before the season began filming,” she said.

As for the 22 men who competed to win Paul’s heart on the dating show, Difuntorum believes it would be an “uphill battle” for contestants to sue the production company or ABC.

“I haven’t seen the contracts here, but typically, the contract is with the production company and includes some sort of language stating that the production company and ABC can decide to do what they want with the footage — including not releasing it at all.”

Contestants are usually paid for the content filmed, not just what airs, so they will most likely still keep the money they were paid for starring in the axed season.

“But without it airing, they have obviously missed out on other financial benefits that they might have otherwise received,” the lawyer acknowledged.

Daniel J. Ain, a partner at Reavis Page Jump LLP, agrees that contestants won’t be able to “sue successfully.”

“Every single contestant contract likely states that ABC has no obligation to use the contestant’s appearance in the show or to even broadcast the show,” Ain said. “Contestants will also have explicitly released any claims they might have.”

ABC confirmed that they were canceling Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette” after a video from 2023 surfaced of the Mom-Tok star violently attacking her ex, Dakota Mortensen.

“In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of ‘The Bachelorette’ at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,” the network told Page Six in a statement.

Shortly after, Paul’s rep addressed the show cancellation with an emotional statement.

“Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security,” the spokesperson told us Thursday.

“After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm.”

“There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives.”

Page Six has reached out to Disney, the owner of ABC, for comment.