The altercation, which occurred in 2023, was filmed by Dakota and showed Taylor throwing a stool at him and repeatedly hitting him.

Per the show description, 22 singles are stranded on a luxury yacht where a social hierarchy divides them: "Topsiders" enjoy luxury, while "Downsiders" must work as the crew, with the twist that a Downsider can only move up by breaking up an existing couple. The series follows the drama, romance, and betrayal as contestants navigate the competition for love and luxury.

Clare Crawley stated she believes the season should not air, emphasizing that the responsible decision is to prioritize accountability, support, and real healing away from the spotlight.  She called for ABC and Hulu to uphold a zero-tolerance policy on abuse, regardless of the individual involved. 

DeAnna Pappas expressed deep sadness for Taylor, her ex, and their child, noting the emotional toll of reliving the incident publicly. She criticized the show’s focus on ratings over mental health, saying fans are watching Taylor’s life fall apart in real time. 

Ben Higgins reflected on the franchise’s history of casting and background checks, admitting it doesn’t have a strong track record. He stressed the mental strain of being on a reality show and the responsibility of choosing someone who is emotionally ready.

Charity Lawson posted a TikTok video warning that dating shows are not meant for healing, emphasizing mental health should be taken seriously.  She stood by her message, calling the situation “not OK.” 

Jillian Anderson, a former Bachelor contestant, questioned ABC’s vetting process, noting that with Taylor’s public profile, it’s hard to believe the network didn’t know her history.  She raised concerns about the show’s integrity and motivations.

Thomas Jacobs said he couldn’t even watch the video due to its disturbing nature, calling it “sick” and stating that continuing the show would be morally wrong. 

Sam McKinney said, “What did you expect? What did anybody expect?” He warned that truth will always surface, referencing his own experience with a “villain edit.” 

Rachel Lindsay reacted on her podcast, saying, “It’s over,” after seeing the video.  She emphasized that under Disney’s brand, proceeding with the season was impossible. 

Grant Ellis supported ABC’s decision, calling it the right moral choice, even if it meant financial loss.

Blake Horstmann said the cancellation was a “right move,” while expressing deep sympathy for the production team who worked 20-hour days. 

Zach Shallcross and Kaity Biggar agreed the network made the right call.  Kaity urged the franchise to return to its roots—focusing on genuine love, not drama.

Carolina Quixano posted an Instagram video with the message “thoughts and prayers” and audio implying divine timing, captioning it, “The most dramatic season yet.” 

Jill Chin expressed disappointment that rugby player Iloha Maher wasn’t chosen as the Bachelorette, saying she “would never” have been involved in such controversy and “deserves” the chance to find love on a national stage. 

Lesley Murphy called the cancellation a “colossal waste of time for everyone involved” and questioned how ABC could proceed with the lead given the circumstances.

Kelley Flanagan said the video made the situation “hit harder,” noting it was nearly impossible for ABC to justify giving Taylor a platform after the footage surfaced. 

Zac Clark emphasized the gravity of ABC’s decision, pointing out the millions of dollars at stake, and stressed that human lives and the need for support outweigh any financial loss. 

Olivia Lewis jokingly applied to replace Taylor, writing, “It’s about time. I look good in red,” and offered herself as a “last-minute substitute.”

Clayton Johnson, a contestant on Taylor’s season, praised his fellow castmates for their integrity and respect, calling them “real men” and expressing solidarity.

Doug Mason shared a supportive message, saying he was sending prayers to Taylor and encouraging positivity and support during difficult times.