ABC canceled her ‘Bachelorette’ season. Will Taylor Frankie Paul have to pay?

The fallout from Taylor Frankie Paul’s scrapped season of The Bachelorette may extend far beyond schedule disruptions and into financial territory.

ABC could face losses between $30 million and $70 million after canceling the season just days before its premiere, according to reports. The decision followed the release of a leaked video from a 2023 altercation between Paul and her ex-partner, Dakota Mortensen, which resulted in her arrest on domestic violence charges, and comes amid a separate ongoing domestic violence investigation into an alleged February incident involving the former couple.

The key question now is who absorbs the financial hit — and whether Paul herself could be on the hook.

According to a legal expert and a crisis PR professional, probably not. But they say the fallout could still significantly impact her earning potential.

No scenario where Paul pays ABC, legal expert says

Angela Reddock-Wright, an employment attorney and mediator, doesn’t think Paul will be expected to pay for ABC’s losses, which are estimated to be between $30 million and $70 million.

“I can’t see a scenario where Paul would have to pay ABC,” Reddock-Wright tells Yahoo.

The attorney says it comes down to whether Paul has a standard employment contract or a less conventional business partnership with ABC. A partnership could open the door to lost-profile claims, but she says that kind of deal is unlikely.

Instead, the key issue is whether ABC can avoid paying Paul, which would depend on a “for cause” termination clause tied to the resurfaced allegations.

However, Paul’s domestic violence arrest has been a matter of public record since 2023. She was booked on charges of assault, criminal mischief and commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child, the Herriman City Police Department said at the time. Paul pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, while the other charges were dismissed. She was sentenced to three years of probation, which is expected to conclude in August.

Paul could argue ABC knew about it when signing her, weakening a for-cause claim.

Reddock-Wright thinks the dispute would likely be settled privately, potentially with a payment to Paul.

ABC ‘assumed the risk’ casting Paul, crisis PR expert says

Sarah Schmidt, president of Interdependence PR, says the network didn’t hire the controversial contestant blindly.

“ABC knew exactly what they were getting into when casting Paul,” Schmidt tells Yahoo. “The network made a calculated gamble that audiences would tune in to watch a bad girl try to reform. They willingly assumed the risk, and it ended up blowing up in their face.”

That doesn’t mean the influencer’s brand won’t suffer as a result.

“The legal claim in 2023 was something that people knew was out there, but the video cemented just how serious the issue is,” says Schmidt, who has worked with celebrities including Bill Maher and Bella Thorne. “From this point on, she is untouchable. Networks will not cast her. Brands will not work with her. Her MomTok following may depart as well.”

The PR pro adds that Paul’s Bachelorette casting opened mainstream opportunities that will likely dry up.

“So while she will not be writing ABC a check, the financial fallout will certainly be significant,” Schmidt says.

The latest developments 

On Tuesday, TMZ published new bodycam footage from Paul’s arrest, showing officers responding to shouting at the home and separating the couple.

“She’s struggling,” Mortensen is heard telling officers. “She’s going through a lot. … [I] think my finger’s broken.” He also pointed to a bump on his elbow, allegedly caused by Paul throwing a metal chair.

When Mortensen was told Paul was being taken into custody, he offered to be the one arrested instead. “Why can’t it be me?” he asked, adding that he just wanted Paul to get help.

Paul’s daughter with ex-husband Tate Paul witnessed the fight. The reality star shares two children with him and a younger son with Mortensen, born in 2024.

The footage follows new allegations from both parties after a February dispute. Draper City Police Department said there is an ongoing “domestic assault investigation” into that incident.

It allegedly halted production of Season 5 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Mortensen filed a restraining order against Paul and currently has temporary custody of their 2-year-old son. Paul said in a statement that she has been silently suffering from “extensive mental and physical abuse” and is “preparing to own and share her story.”

Paul remains in the public eye as this unfolds. Over the weekend, she was photographed wearing a sweatshirt that read, “Can’t wait to sleep with you,” and responded to critics urging her to stay offline. Paul also posted that the leaked video has retraumatized her daughter.