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Fans of “The Bachelorette” were left with more questions than answers less than a week after Taylor Frankie Paul’s season was axed.
Prior to season 22 being canceled, one of Paul’s suitors, Brad Ledford, was discovered to have been behind the wheel of a vehicle that crashed in 2014 and paralyzed the passenger – former North Carolina congressman Madison Cawthorn.
Ledford was described by casting as a “handsome California cowboy” who was “lassoing for love” and Paul’s heart.
TAYLOR FRANKIE PAUL’S ‘BACHELORETTE’ SEASON AXED AMID DOMESTIC ASSAULT INVESTIGATION
Casting controversy on “The Bachelorette” caused chaos online after it was revealed one of Taylor Frankie Paul’s suitors was involved in a devastating car collision. (Disney/Getty Images)
“His best friend is his horse, Gus, whom he partners with on all his cowboy jobs,” ABC said of the 29-year-old wrangler. “When he’s not on the ranch, Brad enjoys swing dancing, hanging at the beach, and listening to Adele.
“This fearless romantic is ready to start a family and prides himself on being a generous, loving partner. We can’t wait to see if he can giddy up his way into our Bachelorette’s heart.”
Brad Ledford was one of Taylor Frankie Paul’s suitors on the canceled season of “The Bachelorette.” (Disney)
Representatives for “The Bachelorette” and Cawthorn did not immediately respond to Digital’s request for comment.
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Social media sleuths went wild online upon realizing the connection between “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star, Ledford and the former house representative.
In April 2014, Ledford, then 17, fell asleep at the wheel while driving with Cawthorn, then 18, in Florida.
Former Rep. Madison Cawthorn was paralyzed after a car crash in 2014 where Brad Ledford was behind the wheel. (Tom Williams)
The vehicle crashed into a concrete barricade while Cawthorn was sleeping in the passenger seat with his legs resting on the dashboard. The collision partially paralyzed Cawthorn, who now uses a wheelchair.
“Who did the vetting this season,” one fan asked, which received the response, “I think they wanted men on Taylor’s level tbh.”
“Like at this point they need to just air the season in all its mess,” one user wrote.
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Another fan wrote, “Good thing they threw the entire season away.”
“Wow. Might be time for a new casting department. Or … just stick a fork in the franchise and be done,” one follower wrote.
Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette” was scrapped at the 11th hour by ABC. (Natalie Cass/Disney)
ABC pulled the plug on Paul’s season on March 19 amid a recent domestic abuse investigation – just three days before season 22 was scheduled to air.
“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, and our focus is on supporting the family,” a spokesperson for Disney Entertainment Television told Digital in a statement.
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On March 15, production for season 5 of “Mormon Wives” came to a halt due to an alleged physical altercation between Paul and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, that occurred in 2023, according to TMZ.
The outlet then released a video that showed Paul physically attacking Mortensen while in the presence of her daughter.
ABC canceled Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette” before its premiere on March 22 due to domestic violence allegations waged by her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen. (Getty Images)
Authorities arrested Paul in 2023 on charges of aggravated assault, two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse with injury and criminal mischief.
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Paul shares two children with ex-husband Tate Paul: Indy, 8, and son, Ocean, 5, Additionally, she and Mortensen share a one-year-old son, Ever.
Digital’s Christina Dugan Ramirez contributed to this report.
