Taylor Frankie Paul’s Bachelorette suitor, Doug Mason, reacted to calls for him to star as The Bachelor.
A Saturday, March 21, Instagram comment, shared via Bachelor fan account Scoop’s Instagram Stories the following day, showed a Bachelorette fan writing, “Doug Mason for Bachelor.” Doug then responded, “Let’s goooo.”
Doug was a contestant on Taylor’s cancelled season 22 of The Bachelorette amid the 31-year-old’s ongoing police investigation.
Fans have also taken to Doug’s Instagram page to advocate for his potential turn as the Bachelor, with one person writing on a March 14 photo carousel, “Doug for the next bachelor ❤️🌹!!!!” The photos were unrelated to Doug’s reality TV involvement, depicting the California-based lifeguard surfing.
Another fan wrote on a February 24 Bachelorette promotional photo shared by Doug, “I don’t think this aged well… but hoping you’re the next BACHELOR!!”
Doug has not publicly commented on the status of his relationship with Taylor, 31, who Us Weekly confirmed on Wednesday, March 18, is the subject of an “active police investigation confirmed by the Draper Police Department” amid fresh alleged domestic assault allegations involving her and her ex Dakota Mortensen.
Doug did, however, publicly address Taylor’s situation via an Instagram video shared on Friday, March 20. “In light of everything that has happened, I am just sending prayers to Taylor because that was her moment and her moment was blocked,” he told fans. “All we can do right now is just be hopeful, and I am headed off to run to watch the sunrise.”
He concluded the video, “I hope you guys have a great day, and let’s stay positive and show nothing but support for people in need.”
A fan account for The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, through which Taylor initially rose to fame, reposted the video, which sparked a response from Taylor in the comments section: “Aw my heart goes out to him. So sweet.”
ABC cancelled Taylor’s Bachelorette season following TMZ releasing footage of her physically assaulting and throwing chairs at Dakota during a 2023 incident. The footage showed Taylor’s daughter upset in the background. (Taylor shares daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5, with ex-husband Tate Paul, and she also shares a son, Ever, with Dakota, who was born in 2024.)
At the time, Taylor was charged with aggravated assault, two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse with injury and criminal mischief as a result of the incident. Taylor ultimately pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, while the other four charges were dismissed with prejudice and she later reached a plea deal.
In light of ABC’s cancellation, a rep for Taylor told Us that she is “very grateful for ABC’s support” while she “prioritizes her family’s safety and security.”
A statement shared with Us by Taylor’s rep read, “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.”
It continued, “There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives. Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation, and public shaming. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story.”
Dakota also addressed the footage, releasing his own statement at the time. “Anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation,” it read. “I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny. I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same.”
Us Weekly later confirmed that Dakota has since been granted a temporary protective order against Taylor and given temporary custody of their son.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
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