Taylor Frankie Paul has been making headlines for her legal drama amid 'The Bachelorette' being axed. So, let's take a quick look at what she was paid for the show and if she was asked to return it.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star, Taylor Frankie Paul, has been making headlines for her ongoing legal row, which led to the cancellation of The Bachelorette Season 22. Amid the ongoing investigation, the show was cancelled, and now, ABC is expected to lose tens of millions. The makers revealed it on Thursday, March 19, 2026 (ET). About a week before the new season was set to premiere, reports emerged that Taylor Frankie Paul was involved in an alleged domestic abuse incident with her former boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen.
Years after the incident took place, Taylor pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in a separate case. On Thursday, TMZ published leaked footage of a physical altercation from 2023 in which Paul is seen kicking Dakota and throwing metal barstools at him. Amid that, let's take a quick look at what the show was supposed to pay Taylor Frankie Paul for her appearance on The Bachelorette.
According to reports, Taylor Frankie Paul was expected to be paid upwards of USD 250,000 to be the lead of The Bachelorette Season 22. ABC has never officially revealed how much The Bachelor and The Bachelorette stars get paid, but we have gotten some insight into their salaries over the years. A while ago, Journalist, Amy Kaufman wrote in her book Bachelor Nation that it's "incredibly rare for someone to make less than six figures."
While there is no confirmation on how much The Bachelorette Season 22 star might be paid for the show, it is estimated to be in the same ballpark as Emily Maynard, who was paid USD 250,000 for her time as The Bachelorette in 2012. Emily came to the show with a strong fan base after winning hearts as a single mom on Brad Womack's season of The Bachelor. So, given Taylor Paul Frankie's history with The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, it's fair to assume she was paid around the same.
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. Now, in a conversation with Page Six, lawyer, Ashlee Difuntorum of Kinsella Holley Iser Kump Steinsapir LLP reflected on the legal repercussions the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star could be facing amid the scandal. She explained this type of clause is usually "very broad" and states that the person cannot do anything to "reflect negatively on the company".
According to the lawyer, the reality TV star's contract likely also stated that if she breached the morality clause, she wouldn't be paid what she was promised. "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," she said. Ashlee further shared that Taylor Frankie Paul might have to return her full pay or a portion of it. She was quoted as saying:
"If she's already been paid, it might require her to return that payment. Her contracts might also include liquidated damages (pre-determined amount of damages) or a requirement that she indemnify the company."
Ashlee Difuntorum further reflected on the matter and shared that it was unlikely that Frankie Taylor Paul would have to repay all the money the company lost by 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. She was quoted as saying:
"Typically, the network contracts with the production company, and then the production company contracts with the contestants, producer, crew, vendors, etc. If ABC feels like the production company failed to adequately vet Taylor Frankie Paul, they might seek reimbursement or compensation from the production company. When working with a public person for any project, companies almost always include a morality clause in the contract."
What are your thoughts on Taylor Frankie Paul's alleged salary for The Bachelorette?
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