Rachel Lindsay claims ‘Bachelor’ franchise is ‘tainted’ after ‘felon’ Taylor Frankie Paul’s domestic violence scandal

This bid has wilted.

Fan-favorite “Bachelorette” prima Rachel Lindsay thinks nan franchise is now “tainted” aft Taylor Frankie Paul’s home unit scandal.

“I’m very logical,” nan 40-year-old explained connected Thursday’s section of E!’s integer bid “Hot Goss” erstwhile asked her thoughts connected nan franchise, which she had antecedently said was “destroyed” by nan scandal.

“I support trying to fig retired really tin you move astir this. And I’m judge they will fig it out. They are a business. Whether it’s a caller ‘Bachelorette,’ aliases I cognize she hasn’t spoken yet, possibly she’ll springiness immoderate type of statement.

Lindsay — who was nan “Bachelorette” successful 2017 — explained that “it’s different” to watch nan 2023 incident successful nan leaked video, despite Paul antecedently disclosing nan details.

“It’s a difficult watch,” she admitted earlier speculating that “somebody [at ABC] will person to return nan fall.“

“And past we will spot what they knew. I do deliberation immoderate group didn’t cognize everything. Like maine astatine first, I didn’t cognize that she was a felon. It’s chaotic to deliberation about,” she added, referring to Paul’s 2023 felony aggravated battle charges, which she pleaded blameworthy to. Though nan charges were dropped, she is connected probation until August 2026.

After a video of Paul throwing chairs astatine her ex Dakota Mortensen was leaked connected March 19, days earlier nan caller play of “The Bachelorette” was group to premiere, ABC decided to ax nan show.

At nan time, nan web told Page Six successful a statement, “In ray of nan recently released video conscionable surfaced today, we person made nan determination to not move guardant pinch nan caller play of ‘The Bachelorette’ astatine this time, and our attraction is connected supporting nan family.”

Despite nan web pulling nan episodes, nan reality TV prima still “cannot spot a roadworthy guardant pinch nan franchise.”

“Listen,” Lindsay stated. “There are a batch of group who are begging for this to still beryllium released, but I deliberation that location are group who are disturbed. Maybe immoderate group did not cognize nan history. So I deliberation immoderate group are disturbed by it.”

As nan podcaster put it, “I deliberation erstwhile you deliberation of nan sanction now, you’re going to deliberation astir this.”

Lindsay besides pointed retired nan truth that ABC has not officially confirmed Season 22 won’t air, explaining, “They haven’t said ‘Hey, nan season’s done. We’re ne'er going to aerial it.’ So, I deliberation they’ve benignant of near nan doorway unfastened and they are astir apt seeing what happens successful nan tribunal of nationalist opinion. What happens pinch her sponsors?”

Addressing nan reports that the show’s contestants will return ineligible action aft ABC pulled nan plug connected nan show, she admitted to knowing why they will want to do so.

“It’s unfair, truthful I understand nan sentiment down it. There were fathers connected this formed that near their families,” she shared. “Some group discontinue their jobs. Some group took a salary trim truthful I understand nan sentiment of, ‘What do we do now?'”

As a reality TV vet — and an lawyer — Lindsay said she believes nan men “should still beryllium nether an NDA, they should not beryllium capable to talk astir nan season, filming, thing that happened.”

However, “they should beryllium released to beryllium capable to do marque deals, appearances and different shows,” she mused.

As to nan early of nan show, Lindsay pondered, “Who would want to beryllium nan ‘Bachelorette after? Who would want to astatine that point? I will not spell back. I don’t cognize who would want to measurement successful aft this. Again, I deliberation it’s a small tainted. Maybe pinch clip but will I watch? No.”

The 2023 video surfaced aft it was reported that filming for Season 5 of Hulu’s “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” had been halted amid a abstracted home unit investigation involving Paul and Mortensen from earlier this year.

Mortensen filed for a restraining bid against Paul earlier this week, alleging that she choked him past period successful nan beingness of their son. He was granted impermanent custody of their 2-year-old son, Ever, on Friday.

Since then, it has been revealed that Paul is under investigation for a 3rd incident, which occurred successful 2024.

If you aliases personification you cognize is affected by immoderate of nan issues raised successful this story, telephone nan National Domestic Violence Hotline astatine 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) aliases matter START to 88788.