The network pulled the upcoming season starring Taylor Frankie Paul after a 2023 video of an altercation with her former partner surfaced. In it, she appears to punch, kick and throw chairs at him as her young daughter watched and cried. The cancellation stands out for the series as it has previously navigated issues in real time rather than shelving an entire season.

Here’s a look at other notable controversies from “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” over the years:

How diversity debates changed the franchise's face

For much of its run, the franchise faced sustained criticism over its lack of diversity, particularly in its leading roles.

A 2012 lawsuit alleged that the show excluded contestants of color from becoming the lead, though the case was dismissed. The criticism persisted for years as the franchise continued to feature mostly white bachelors and bachelorettes.

Rachel Lindsay became the first Black lead in 2017, a milestone that came after years of public pressure. She later emerged as one of the show’s most prominent critics, pushing for deeper structural change in how the franchise approached diversity on-screen and behind the scenes.

ABC later cast Matt James as its first Black “Bachelor” in 2020, a move which was widely viewed as long overdue.

More recently, Jenn Tran became the franchise’s first Asian American lead in 2024. The Vietnamese American star called the role deeply personal in an interview with The Associated Press, while her season also sparked debate after early criticism that it featured few suitors of Asian descent.

Backlash follows more diverse casting

Even as the franchise expanded its casting, contestants and leads of color have often faced backlash from segments of the show’s audience.

Non-white participants — including Lindsay and James — encountered heightened scrutiny and racist commentary online. Tran’s season also sparked discussion around how contestants of color have historically received fewer roses and more criticism from viewers.

The response fueled ongoing questions about whether parts of the audience have evolved at the same pace as the franchise’s casting decisions.

What's behind the host controversy and cultural sensitivity

One of the franchise’s most high-profile controversies came in 2021 involving longtime host Chris Harrison.

Harrison stepped down from his role mid-season after defending contestant Rachael Kirkconnell in an interview as criticism grew over photos showing her at an antebellum plantation-themed event and dressed in a Native American costume.

Harrison later apologized, saying, “By excusing historical racism, I defended it.”

Former contestants Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe hosted the remainder of that season of “The Bachelor” — which Kirkconnell went on to win — and the 2021 season of “The Bachelorette” until Jesse Palmer was named the franchise's new permanent host later that year.

ABC said at the time it was committed to improving representation among its production teams.

Moments within the show itself have also drawn criticism. A 2019 episode set in Singapore faced backlash after contestants mocked local cuisine, with critics saying the segment reflected a lack of cultural awareness.

How a history of controversy continued to evolve

Earlier controversies included comments from former “Bachelor” Juan Pablo Galavis.

In 2014, Galavis said he did not believe a gay or bisexual man should lead the show and described gay people as “more pervert, in a sense” in an interview. The remarks drew widespread criticism and prompted an apology, with Galavis later citing a language barrier.

The episode remains one of the franchise’s most talked-about early scandals involving a lead. It highlighted long-standing questions about inclusion within the series.

Thursday's unprecedented cancellation of the already filmed season of the long-running reality television show comes days before it was to premiere, on Sunday.

“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 statement from Disney Entertainment Television said.

The statement appeared to reference a 2023 video of an altercation between Paul and Dakota Mortensen that was published by TMZ on Thursday. Paul was arrested in 2023 and charged with aggravated assault and other offenses, including domestic violence in the presence of a child. She pleaded guilty that August to a misdemeanor charge of aggravated assault; the other charges were dismissed.

A police spokesperson in Draper City, Utah, told People magazine that there was an open domestic violence investigation of Paul and her ex-partner Mortensen, and that allegations have been made in both directions. Mortensen is the father of one of Paul's three children.

Representatives for Paul and Mortensen didn't immediately return requests for comment. ABC's statement didn't include details on what the network planned to do with the show's time slot.

Paul, who was promoting Season 22 as recently as Wednesday on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and on the red carpet before Sunday’s Oscars telecast, was an unusual choice to helm “The Bachelorette.” Unlike previous leads, the 31-year-old had not appeared on the “Bachelor” franchise before — a departure from the typical practice of casting runners-up from previous seasons.

Her selection did offer synergy, though, as she also stars on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” a Hulu reality show. Both Hulu and ABC are owned by Disney. In a statement confirming her casting in October, ABC credited Paul with “igniting ‘MomTok’ and going viral for pulling back the curtain on Salt Lake’s soft-swinging scene.”

Paul became known as an influencer in the #MomTok community, a group of women from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sharing their lives on TikTok. She made news when she announced, in 2022, that she had “stepped out” of an agreement with her husband in terms of relationships with other couples and they were getting divorced.

“The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” premiered in 2024. While Season 4 released last week, filming on Season 5 had already paused over the investigation.

“It was a decision that all of us girls came up with,” Paul’s co-star Mikayla Matthews said Wednesday on Instagram in response to a fan question about the production freeze. “We didn’t feel comfortable filming with everything that was happening.”

Paul posted on Instagram in December that filming had wrapped on “The Bachelorette,” which is hosted by Jesse Palmer.

Cyrus, who identifies as pansexual and has been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ rights throughout her career, elaborated on conditions under which she might accept the gig. She referenced her recent “Hannahversary” special, marking the 20th anniversary of Hannah Montana, as a model. “If I could find a way to make it exactly what the Hannahversary was—taking a journey through the discography and appreciating each song, each era for what it is—I think I could find it in myself,” she said. This special allowed her to curate a nostalgic performance on her terms, contrasting with the high-stakes, 13-minute Super Bowl format that has featured artists like Usher in 2024 and Kendrick Lamar in 2025.

Fans have propelled Cyrus to the top of betting odds for the 2027 Super Bowl halftime show, scheduled for February 8, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Online buzz intensified after her recent one-off performances and the success of her 2023 album Endless Summer Vacation, which earned her two Grammy wins, including Record of the Year for “Flowers.” However, Cyrus expressed reluctance tied to her current lifestyle preferences. She noted avoiding extensive touring since her 2013-2014 Bangerz tour, saying, “me being on the road for six months out of the year and leaving my family and my normalcy and my routine is just not best for me.”

Cyrus emphasized her contentment with a balanced life, stating, “My life is so beautiful. It never feels like I’m swimming upstream anymore.” She highlighted small joys like waking up in her own bed and caring for her dogs, alongside professional successes and a private engagement last year. This outlook aligns with her shift toward selective performances at intimate venues rather than arena tours.

Within the LGBTQ+ community, Cyrus's comments resonate as she has long been an affirming figure. Her 2015 coming out as pansexual and advocacy through organizations like the Trevor Project have positioned her as a role model for queer youth. Community responses on social media platforms like X and Instagram have mixed excitement for a potential Super Bowl appearance with support for her prioritizing mental health. Fans praised her honesty, with one viral post stating, “Miley setting boundaries is queen behavior—protect her peace!” LGBTQ+ media outlets have yet to issue formal statements, but her history of inclusive performances, such as featuring drag artists in past tours, underscores the potential impact of her participation.

The Super Bowl halftime show, produced by Roc Nation since 2019, remains a cultural juggernaut viewed by over 120 million people annually. Past performers like Lady Gaga and Shakira and Jennifer Lopez , both allies to LGBTQ+ causes, have used the platform for messages of empowerment. Cyrus's potential involvement could amplify queer visibility, given her discography's themes of self-discovery in songs like “Flowers,” an anthem of personal rebirth often embraced by transgender people and others navigating identity. No official announcement has been made by the NFL or Roc Nation regarding 2027 performers.

As speculation continues, Cyrus's measured response highlights broader conversations in entertainment about artist well-being versus commercial demands. Her pansexual identity and affirming stance continue to influence discussions on representation in major events.

"Well, that’s the question I’ve been waiting for," Doja Cat told Vogue when asked about her habit. She explained that she feels compelled to defend herself when she perceives a threat, even if it may not be one, stating it "rhymes with: You are failing."

The singer elaborated that engaging with detractors gives them undue power, noting, “I feel like I have to defend my creative choices, and then I give those people power even though they could be anybody — they could have Cheeto dust on their fingers and have no job." This reflection comes amid her history of public exchanges with fans and critics on platforms like X and Threads.

When questioned about when she might stop this behavior, Doja Cat responded, “I don’t know. In life, you grow. We’ll see where I am when I’m 50, if I’m still on Twitter doing stuff like that, who knows? Hopefully not." She further addressed whether she seeks out negative comments, admitting artists can be self-critical and sometimes look for external validation on insecurities.

"You feel you’re more in control in a sense. 'I’ve got it all figured out. I can’t sing. I’ve got it all figured out. I am ugly. I got it all figured out. I got cankles,'" she said, illustrating the mindset. Ultimately, she deemed it “a useless way to spend your time. It doesn’t do anything for you other than entertain a part of you that was built during your childhood, a part of you that is stuck in the past."

This interview arrives against a backdrop of prior fan interactions that have drawn attention. In July 2023, Doja Cat posted now-deleted messages on Threads criticizing her fanbase's self-named "Kittenz," urging fan accounts to delete and rethink their existence. She wrote, “My fans don’t name themselves s—,” rejecting the pet-themed moniker. Several prominent accounts, including Doja HQ the Kittens Room and Doja Cat News, deactivated following her comments.

More recently, during the opening of her Ma Vie world tour in Auckland on November 18, 2025, Doja Cat faced backlash over the show's production and visuals. Fans compared it unfavorably to prior tours, prompting her to retort, “And I’m not your f*cking costume monkey; I move at my own pace and break my f*cking back out there every night." She referred to attendees as "watchers," not fans, escalating the exchange.

Doja Cat's candidness resonates in broader discussions about artist-fan dynamics online, where parasocial relationships often blur boundaries. While no specific LGBTQ+ community responses to this interview were documented in available coverage, Doja Cat has previously incorporated queer-affirming themes in her music and visuals, supporting person-first language and inclusive expression in pop culture. Her defense of creative autonomy underscores challenges for LGBTQ+ artists navigating public scrutiny over personal and artistic choices.

Earlier incidents, such as her 2022 response to backlash over a canceled Paraguay concert, saw her temporarily change her X bio to "i quit," expressing exhaustion with fan expectations. These patterns inform her current reflections, emphasizing growth amid persistent online pressures. As her tour continues, her comments offer insight into the mental toll of fame.

Joseph Duggar, 31, was arrested in Arkansas, where he lives, and was awaiting extradition to Florida on Thursday. Duggar is charged with lewd and lascivious behavior on a child under 12 years old, according to an arrest affidavit from the Bay County Sheriff's Office in Panama City, Florida.

Police officers in Tontitown, Arkansas, on Wednesday contacted deputies in Bay County, saying they had interviewed a 14-year-old girl who told them that Duggar had molested her several times during a family trip to Panama City Beach when she was age 9, according to the affidavit.

The girl's father confronted Duggar about the abuse this week, and the father said Duggar admitted to it. Police officers in Tontitown had the father call Duggar with a detective on the line, and he again admitted to the actions, the arrest affidavit said.

There was no online court docket in Florida for Duggar so it wasn't known if he had an attorney. Nobody responded immediately to an inquiry made on the Duggar family media request website.

Police in Tontitown didn't respond to inquiries made by email and phone.

TLC's “19 Kids and Counting” followed the lives of devout Baptists Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar and their 19 children, all of whose names began with the letter “J.”

TLC canceled the show in 2015 following allegations that Josh Duggar had molested four of his sisters and a babysitter years earlier. Josh Duggar’s parents said he had confessed to the fondling and apologized.

He was sentenced in 2022 to about 12 1/2 years in prison on one count each of receiving and possessing images portraying child sexual abuse.

The couple, who have been married since 2020, found themselves sheltering in place as gunfire and street violence erupted nearby. Nash-Betts later recounted the frightening circumstances to podcast host Keke Palmer, describing the shock and fear experienced by family members, including the children of friends who had joined the trip. "It was scary because I let my kids bring their friends, so I had other people's children. It was scary, but we got out unscathed," Nash-Betts said.

As supplies dwindled at their accommodation, Nash-Betts and her group identified a nearby W Hotel as a potential source for food and provisions. However, when they attempted to access the hotel directly, staff refused to assist them. Undeterred, the group devised an unconventional solution. "We snuck in through the back," Nash-Betts explained.

At the hotel bar, Nash-Betts and Betts struck up a conversation with another couple and quickly learned they were swingers. Rather than being deterred by this revelation, Nash-Betts saw an opportunity. She obtained the couple's room number and arranged to have food and supplies delivered to their room, paying in cash to ensure the charges would not appear on the couple's bill upon checkout. The couple, significantly intoxicated at the time, remained unaware of the arrangement.

"We ordered everything that we need to take back to the house to their room because we're not guests. And then we say, 'No, we want to pay for it in cash.' So it wouldn't be on their bill when they checked out," Nash-Betts recalled.

Two days after her birthday on February 23, Nash-Betts and her entire group successfully returned to Los Angeles on February 25. The actress documented their safe return with a joyful social media post, sharing a video of their family singing "Thank You For Being A Friend," the theme song from the television series "The Golden Girls," at the airport.

Nash-Betts later reflected on the experience with resilience and gratitude, emphasizing the importance of maintaining joy and celebrating life despite adversity. "One thing for sure, two things for certain. We. Will. Keep. Our. JOY!" she posted on Instagram, noting how her family's visible happiness inspired other stranded travelers in the chaotic airport environment.

The incident underscores both the real dangers facing tourists in Mexico amid ongoing cartel violence and the unexpected human connections that can emerge during crises. Nash-Betts' openness in sharing her story, including her marriage to Jessica Betts, reflects the visibility of same-sex couples in mainstream media and entertainment narratives.

Labubu, a mischievous elf-like monster from Lung's "The Monsters" series, exploded in popularity through Pop Mart blind box collectibles, amassing a global fanbase particularly among younger demographics and collectors. The toy's appeal lies in its cute yet cheeky design, often depicted with sharp teeth and playful antics, leading to resale prices soaring into thousands of dollars on secondary markets. Sony's move to adapt it into a live-action/CGI hybrid film aims to capture this zeitgeist, with early concept art suggesting a family-friendly adventure in a whimsical world.

The core event unfolded on March 18, 2026, when Entertainment Weekly published exclusive details, confirming King's involvement and outlining the film's tone as "heartfelt and visually stunning," drawing parallels to King's previous successes. Industry podcast The John Campea Show discussed the news the prior day, noting Sony's rapid development post-rights acquisition and speculating on a two-year production timeline involving heavy visual effects. Hosts expressed optimism about King's ability to deliver a quality film, even if the Labubu craze wanes by release, estimated for 2028.

No official statements from Sony or King were immediately available, but sources close to the production described it as a "high-priority project" with a budget potentially exceeding $100 million due to extensive VFX requirements. Pop Mart, the primary distributor of Labubu merchandise, has not commented on the film but continues to fuel the hype with new releases.

While the story lacks direct LGBTQ+ ties, Labubu's fan community includes diverse collectors, with social media influencers from queer spaces praising its inclusive, non-binary aesthetic appeal—often styled in gender-fluid fashion looks on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Community responses highlight how the character's androgynous design resonates with transgender and non-binary individuals, who share customizations affirming personal identities. One TikTok creator noted, "Labubu doesn't fit boxes—perfect for us," in a viral clip amid the movie buzz.

The announcement arrives amid Hollywood's trend of adapting viral IPs, following successes like Minions and Paw Patrol, but skeptics question Labubu's staying power given fad cycles. King's track record—Paddington grossed over $268 million worldwide, Wonka $634 million—bolsters confidence. Production is slated to begin pre-production in late 2026, targeting a family audience with themes of friendship and adventure.

This development underscores the toy industry's influence on cinema, with potential for Labubu to join ranks of enduring animated icons if King's vision succeeds.

The participants included NeNe Leakes, Phaedra Parks, Candiace Dillard Bassett, Erika Jayne, Luann de Lesseps, Melissa Gorga, and Marysol Patton, who joined MISTR founder and CEO Tristan Schukraft for discussions with members of Congress and legislative staff. MISTR, recognized as the nation's largest telehealth platform focused on sexual health, organized the initiative to raise awareness about PrEP's effectiveness and the barriers to its widespread use.

PrEP is a daily medication regimen that, when taken as prescribed, reduces the risk of acquiring HIV through sexual activity by up to 99 percent, according to public health authorities. For transgender people and others in the LGBTQ+ community, who face disproportionately high HIV rates, expanded access through insurance mandates and telehealth is seen as vital to curbing the epidemic. Organizers noted that the stars shared personal reflections on HIV's ongoing impact on communities nationwide, underscoring the need to protect federal policies supporting prevention resources.

The event leverages the cultural reach of the reality TV personalities to spotlight public health priorities, encouraging lawmakers to prioritize funding and coverage for HIV prevention medications. This approach aligns with broader efforts by LGBTQ+ advocates to destigmatize HIV prevention and ensure equitable access for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, as well as transgender individuals, who are often at higher risk.

HIV, which targets the body's immune system by attacking T-cells, can progress to AIDS if untreated, leading to severe health complications or death. The virus spreads primarily through bodily fluids during sex, sharing needles, or from mother to child during pregnancy or delivery. Prevention strategies like PrEP have proven essential in reducing transmission rates, particularly in marginalized communities disproportionately affected by the virus.

While the event focused on advocacy rather than specific legislative outcomes, it comes amid ongoing debates over federal health policies, including Medicare expansions for HIV-positive organ transplants under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services . NMAC CEO Harold Phillips, who lives with HIV, hailed recent CMS changes allowing HIV-positive-to-HIV-positive transplants as a "positive step forward that will help save lives," noting years of exclusion for people living with HIV from donor pools. Adrian Shanker, former deputy assistant secretary for health policy at the Department of Health and Human Services, described the shift as expanding opportunities beyond the HOPE Act.

LGBTQ+ health advocates view initiatives like "Housewives on the Hill" as complementary to these advancements, using high-profile voices to humanize the fight against HIV stigma. Nina Martinez, the first HIV-positive person to donate an organ to another HIV-positive recipient in 2019, emphasized that effective treatments render the virus undetectable and untransmittable, countering public misconceptions. "People don’t generally understand that treatment works," Martinez said.

The collaboration highlights how entertainment figures can amplify calls for health equity, particularly for LGBTQ+ communities where HIV remains a persistent challenge despite medical progress. As new infections persist, such advocacy underscores the urgency of maintaining access to tools like PrEP to support people living with or at risk of HIV.

The Lakers said James is dealing with left foot arthritis. Also questionable: Luka Doncic (right hip soreness) and Austin Reaves (right forearm contusion).

Those three players combined for 84 points in the Lakers' 124-116 win at Houston on Wednesday night. The Lakers flew to Miami after that game, landing at 3:59 a.m. — later than most teams arrive in their next city when facing games on back-to-back days.

James went 13 of 14 from the field in the win, tying the best shooting performance of his NBA career. It was the 1,610th regular-season game of his career, one behind Parish's all-time mark.

James hit his right elbow on the court in the final minutes of Wednesday's win, remaining down briefly and grimacing in obvious pain. He told ESPN in the televised on-court interview after the game that he was hoping to play Thursday in Miami — a city he called home for four seasons, during which he won the first two of his four NBA championships.

Parish — who went into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003 — has been the outright leader in career games played since April 6, 1996. He played in game No. 1,561 that night, breaking a tie with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the all-time top spot.

Parish wound up playing 50 more regular-season games, then retired after the 1996-97 season. He started his NBA career with Golden State, then spent more than a decade with Boston before finishing his 21-season run with Charlotte and Chicago.

“No player is better deserving to break that Ironman record, that 1,611 games played record, than LeBron," Parish told Sirius NBA Radio earlier this week. “He deserves it, in my opinion.”

The games played mark will be another entry on the long list of NBA records for James, who already has the league’s all-time top spot in a number of categories including points scored, minutes played, field goals made and field goals attempted.

He’s also the NBA record-holder with 23 seasons played, 22 All-Star selections and 21 All-NBA team selections.

If he doesn't play Thursday, James' next chance to tie the mark would be Saturday in Orlando.