The Bachelorette leads’ very own group chat has been inactive since Taylor Frankie Paul’s season was canceled, according to Rachel Lindsay.
“Everybody has been silent since the information came out, except for the few people that have decided to talk on social media,” Rachel, 40, claimed on the Thursday, March 19, episode of the “Bachelor Party” podcast. “Last Sunday, the chat was active because it was after the special [aired]. Everyone was, like, ‘Oh, you know, it was so nice to see everyone.’”
Rachel and many of her fellow former franchise stars reunited at the Bachelor Mansion in late 2025 to meet Taylor, 31, before her season started production. The reunion was filmed and aired on ABC after the 2026 Oscars earlier this month.
After meeting Taylor, the remaining Bachelorettes added her their What’sApp group, succinctly titled “Bets.”
“She got added to the chat, [and] she did not respond,” Rachel alleged, adding that Taylor had “not once” sent a message in the thread. “Then, I said, ‘It’s going to be an adventure. I’m excited for you to experience it.’ Everyone was putting their names, so she could [save] their numbers. I was, like, ‘I’m not going to [tell her], I love you.’”
Taylor’s season, however, was canceled days before its scheduled Sunday, March 22, premiere.
“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,” a spokesperson for Disney Entertainment Television told Us Weekly in a Thursday statement. “Our focus is on supporting the family.”
Earlier this week, footage leaked of Taylor assaulting now-ex Dakota Mortensen and throwing multiple chairs at him in front of her daughter in 2023. At the time, Taylor was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, criminal mischief, child abuse and domestic violence in the presence of a child. She pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, while the other charges were dropped. (Taylor shares Indy, 8, and Ocean, 5, with ex-husband Tate Paul, as well as son Ever, 2, with Dakota, 33.)
“Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security,” Taylor’s spokesperson said in a statement shared with Us later on Thursday, reacting to the show’s cancellation. “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.”
The rep added, “She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support and preparing to own and share her story.”
Dakota, for his part, has denied any accusations regarding his behavior.
“As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation,” Dakota said in a separate statement. “I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny. I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same.”
Dakota has since been granted a temporary protective order against Taylor, barring her from coming within 100 feet or having communication with him until their April court hearing. The order also granted Dakota temporary sole custody of their son.
In light of the situation, ABC has not announced any decision about the future of the Bachelor Nation franchise. Rachel, however, thinks the show “is over.”
“I was trying to think of a scenario where it could be different because this isn’t just, ‘Oh, we put it all on a person. The person did this,’” the former attorney theorized. “This is the system that allowed this to happen. So, the name Bachelorette [or] Bachelor is tainted at this point. How do you move forward past that?”
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.
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