Taylor Frankie Paul wants another chance to find love on The Bachelorette after her first season was pulled before its premiere. She discussed a possible return while speaking at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday, October 26.
Paul, 32, acknowledged that she had not been in the best emotional place during filming. In the interview published by TMZ, she credited therapy with helping her make progress and said she wished she had handled some situations differently.
Her first season, filmed last year, ended with an engagement to contestant Doug Mason. Their relationship did not last, and Mason recently shared his account of the proposal and breakup on Bachelor Happy Hour.
Paul declined to discuss the specifics of her ongoing legal and family matters at the airport. Asked about dating, she described herself as “single and mingling.”
Paul Still Wants Viewers to See Her Unaired Season
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Paul said she “100%” wants ABC to release the completed season. She pointed to the work of the contestants and production crew, saying they deserved to have their efforts seen.
ABC shelved the season on March 19, three days before its scheduled March 22 premiere. The decision followed the publication of footage from a 2023 confrontation showing Paul throwing chairs at her former boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen.
A Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson told ABC News that the company would not move forward with the season “at this time” following the video’s release. The statement said its focus was on supporting the family.
Doug Mason Met Her Family Before Deciding to Propose
On the October 13 episode of Bachelor Happy Hour, Mason told hosts Charity Lawson and Rachel Recchia that he met Paul’s three children, her parents and her former husband, Tate Paul.
“I was terrified,” he recalled. He also described an off-camera conversation in which Tate questioned whether he understood the responsibility he was taking on.
According to Mason’s account, quoted by Us Weekly, Tate told him, “Being with Taylor will change your life.” Mason said Tate wanted to look him in the eyes and assess his sincerity.
Mason had initially believed they needed more time to get to know each other. He ultimately changed his mind at the last minute, choosing to make the proposal as a demonstration of his commitment.
Mason Says He Worried Paul Wasn’t Over Her Ex
Mason recalled walking away during a group date after someone compared him to Mortensen. He felt Paul had not stood up for him and said the repeated comparisons made him question whether she had moved on from her ex.
He also said Paul told him before their Fantasy Suite that she had slept with Mortensen before leaving to film the show.
After filming, he said, their communication quickly became inconsistent. During the podcast’s October 14 follow-up, Mason recalled Paul asking to slow things down and telling him, “I see us as friends,” according to Bachelor Nation. He acknowledged that he, too, had felt confused by the transition from the show to everyday life.
Paul Calls Her ‘Mormon Wives’ Departure Impulsive
At LAX, Paul also reconsidered her September decision to leave Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. She described it as impulsive and said she had felt unwanted by her castmates.
In her September 21 Instagram statement, Paul accused other cast members of bullying her and objected to comments involving her children. She said she no longer wanted to continue under those circumstances, according to Variety.
Mikayla Matthews had announced her own departure the previous week, objecting to plans for Paul to return. Paul is now considering her television options and told the photographer she was planning her next moves for 2027.