Taylor Frankie Paul left a flirty comment for The Bachelorette season 22 contestant Doug Mason following ABC’s decision to shelve the show.
Doug, 28, shared a clip of a new song via Instagram on Monday, March 30, where he crooned to his “baby girl” over multiple shots of a duck walking around a parking lot.
After Taylor replied, “Awe I see what you did here 🦆,” in the comments section, some eagle-eyed fans began to contemplate if there was a hidden inside joke between the two.
Her Bachelorette costar kept the mystery alive by responding to Taylor with a “hands over ears” emoji and an “I don’t know” emoji.
ABC shelved The Bachelorette earlier this month after the release of a shocking video from Taylor’s 2023 domestic violence arrest and news that she and ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen were under investigation over separate allegations from February. (Since that time, a third violence investigation based on an alleged 2024 incident has been opened against Taylor by Utah’s West Jordan Police Department.)
Doug previously publicly supported Taylor in the wake of the controversy.
“In light of everything that has happened, I am just sending prayers to Taylor because that was her moment and her moment was blocked,” Doug wrote via Instagram on March 20. “All we can do right now is just be hopeful, and I am headed off to run to watch the sunrise.”
Doug went on, “I hope you guys have a great day, and let’s stay positive and show nothing but support for people in need.”
A Secret Lives of Mormon Wives fan later shared Doug’s supportive post, with Taylor commenting, “Aw my heart goes out to him. So sweet.”
When fans later called for Doug to get his own Bachelor season in the future, he seemed open to the idea, writing, “Let’s goooo.”
While The Bachelorette season 22 will seemingly remain on the cutting room floor for now, Rachel Recchia and Charity Lawson will soon give fans a chance to get to know the would-be contestants by interviewing them on the official “Bachelor Happy Hour” podcast.
“Bachelor Happy Hour’ will be the only place that you are gonna hear directly from the men of Taylor’s cast,” Charity, 30, announced on Friday, March 27.
As for the future of The Bachelorette, Us Weekly learned on Tuesday, March 24, that ABC has no plans at this stage to bring in another Bachelorette as a replacement for Taylor. There is no word yet on whether one of Taylor’s suitors will become the next Bachelor, though producers reportedly had their eye on contenders before season 22 was canceled.
ABC’s only comment thus far has been to release a statement on March 19. “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 rep for the network shared.
Taylor’s spokesperson, meanwhile, thanked the network for its “support” in the wake of her Bachelorette season being dropped.
“Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security,” her rep told Us on March 19. “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.”
