Exclusive

The men competing for Taylor Frankie Paul's love on "The Bachelorette" say they were blindsided by the abuse allegations against the reality star ... TMZ has learned.

TMZ spoke with multiple contestants who said they were caught off guard by the allegations because their experience with Taylor was completely different. They all described her as kind, genuine, and well-intentioned -- saying they saw a softer, more authentic side of her during filming that doesn’t match the accusations.

While they acknowledge the allegations are troubling, the contestants believe there are misconceptions about her and say she came on the show with a pure heart, trying to do the right thing for herself.

"Love Island USA" contestant Cashel Barnett got a year behind bars in Utah for getting sexually violent with his ex-girlfriend in front of their kid ... but she says the sentence feels like an "injustice."

The Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office tells TMZ … Cashel has been sentenced to one year in jail with credit for time served, after pleading guilty to one count of second-degree felony forcible sexual abuse, one count of third-degree felony aggravated assault, and one count of third-degree felony domestic violence in the presence of a child. He began serving his stint in county jail on January 12.

After he completes his time behind bars, we're told Cashel will be put on probation ... and there's a protective order in place that bars him from going near his ex or their child.

The top brass at "The Bachelorette" didn't see it coming ... but according to one well-placed source, they're guilty of willful blindness.

A source connected to the show with direct knowledge tells TMZ ... the latest crop of producers on the ABC show wanted Taylor Frankie Paul from "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" in a bad, bad way. They felt she could bring in a wider audience because her reality show was such a hit, and that's why our source says they "cut corners" in the vetting process.

TMZ broke the story ... Taylor and her baby daddy, Dakota Mortensen, have both been ordered to undergo a psych evaluation after allegations of physical violence.

Mustard is on a roll! The famous DJ and music producer just scored a big win against his ex-wife, Chanel Thierry, in their nasty custody battle ... TMZ has learned.

According to court documents, obtained by TMZ, Mustard -- legal name Dijon McFarlane -- will be able to make final educational decisions for their 3 children until August 2026, after he complained in papers that Chanel was making disparaging comments about him online.

In the papers, the judge determined that at least some of Chanel's recent social media posts were in direct violation of a previous order to refrain from speaking in a "negative, disrespectful, or derogatory manner to or about the other parent in a child's presence or within hearing distance of the child." As a result ... Mustard has now been awarded tie-breaking authority over educational decisions concerning their kids -- Kiylan, Kauner and Kody.

TMZ Sports has learned that Dillon Brooks had a run-in with law enforcement not long before his DUI arrest earlier this month -- the Phoenix Suns player was cited for reckless driving and exceeding the speed limit.

According to an incident report, an officer claims he spotted Brooks traveling 85 miles per hour in a 45 zone shortly after midnight on January 12 ... hours after the Suns beat the Washington Wizards. In his report, the officer wrote that he grew "concerned about the extreme risk of a catastrophic collision or the vehicle striking a pedestrian."

"Several businesses in the area were open and operating," the report stated. "A collision at such speeds could have resulted in multiple fatalities or serious physical injuries."

There will be a public memorial for Eric Dane ... and in large part, it's thanks to the fans.

A source close to Rebecca Gayheart tells TMZ ... the family has been deeply moved by all the condolences and tributes coming in from around the globe ... and a celebration of life is being planned.

We're told the event will be for the fans ... but also to make Dane "smile and feel loved and know that his life was not in vain."

The family of Eric Dane is bummed he was not among the late Hollywood luminaries honored on Sunday night during the Oscars "In Memoriam" segment ... but they get it.

Here's the deal ... fans were pretty pissed that Eric -- along with James Van Der Beek, among others -- was not part of the remembrance portion of the show. We heard from an Academy source that it was not malice ... there just was not enough airtime to include everyone, but they pointed out all are honored online.

A source close to Rebecca Gayheart tells TMZ ... the family was "saddened" not to see him included in the main broadcast, but they understand ... "It was a year of profound loss for the industry."

"Love Island USA" star Huda Mustafa is catching some serious heat from her boyfriend's baby mom, who recently filed a restraining order against the reality star ... and that baby mama is now speaking out to share her side of the events leading up to the legal action.

Nicole Olivera -- the mother of Louis Russell's child -- tells TMZ the situation escalated back on February 21 around 1:30 AM … when she claims Huda showed up uninvited to her home.

According to Nicole, Huda allegedly took an Uber to Nicole's L.A. apartment, where she lives with her son, and trespassed by forcing her way into the building ... which Nicole says was captured on surveillance video. She insists she never gave Huda access, either verbally or physically.

Cardi B's next collab might not be in the recording studio! Sophie Rain tells us she wants to get the Grammy winner to link up with her on OnlyFans.

We caught up with the 21-year-old content creator in Beverly Hills on Monday, where she filled us in on her biggest fantasy.

When we asked which celebrity she would be most excited to work with, she didn't hesitate ... "Cardi B would be sick. I love Cardi B!"

Candiace Dillard Bassett’s got Wendy Osefo on her mind ... and she’s sending prayers as her 'Real Housewives of Potomac' costar stares down a serious legal mess with husband Eddie.

We caught Candiace in NYC Monday, and she kept it classy, saying she’s hoping for the best as Wendy and Eddie deal with the fallout.

Watch the clip -- Candace makes it clear she’s worried, especially for their kids, and just wants the family to come out okay on the other side.

Chase Stokes just added some fresh ink to his collection of tattoos ... and the meaning behind his latest piece suggests he’s moving on after his recent split from Kelsea Ballerini, according to his tattoo artist.

Celebrity tattoo artist Winterstone -- the man behind the scripted piece -- tells us Chase recently stopped by his studio to catch up and get a few tattoos ... though there’s only one the actor wanted to share publicly.

The "Outer Banks" star's clean tat reads “they will judge us by our fruit" -- a line inspired by a Bible verse -- and is placed strategically on his back. We're told Chase chose this phrase as a reminder while he "moves forward" in life. According to Winterstone, Chase said he’s feeling good and enlightened about where things are currently.

Brad Pitt is pushing to grill a wealthy Russian businessman about his winery dealings with Angelina Jolie ... TMZ has learned.

According to court docs obtained by TMZ, Brad is asking a Los Angeles judge to force businessman Yuri Shefler to appear for a remote deposition as part of the ongoing war between the actor and his ex-wife.

Brad sued Angelina in 2022, claiming she sold her stake in the French winery Chateau Miraval without his permission. The former couple purchased the estate while married, but Angelina told Brad she wanted out years after the divorce.

The NCAA Tournament Selection Committee screwed St. John's, but it doesn't make a bit of difference, according to former SJU star Metta World Peace ... who tells TMZ Sports the hoopers from Jamaica, Queens will soon be cutting down the nets!

"It makes no sense. I don't know how we were a 5 seed," World Peace told Babcock on Monday. "I thought St. John's was going to be a one-seed."

Many college basketball fans were shocked when the Johnnies were named a 5-seed on Sunday ... a day after running UCONN, a 2-seed, out of Madison Square Garden the day before in the Big East Championship game.

Taylor Frankie Paul is sharing custody of her son with baby daddy Dakota Mortensen amid an investigation into claims of child and spousal abuse ... TMZ has learned.

Sources connected to the situation tell TMZ ... the 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' stars have not seen or spoken to one another in three weeks, ever since a heated argument that allegedly turned physical and resulted in Dakota calling police.

Taylor and Dakota have a son, Ever, who turns 2 this week, and we're told they are sharing custody as the Utah Division of Child and Family Services conducts an investigation. It's unclear which parent -- or both -- are being investigated.

Taylor Frankie Paul's baby daddy, Dakota Mortensen, has a much different view of what went down between them 3 weeks ago, and believes he's the real victim ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" production tell TMZ ... Dakota and Taylor were spending time together at his place when they started fighting about Dakota's romantic past -- namely his hookup with cast member Shinia Powell.

We're told it got physical as Taylor allegedly choked Dakota and ripped his necklace off, and grabbed his throat and face ... and this happened with their son, Ever, in the room.

Meghan Trainor is looking to part ways with her sprawling Los Angeles area estate ... 'cause TMZ has learned she's put the property on the market for millions.

Real estate sources tell us the Encino compound hit the market about a week ago for $6.9 million, offering a massive celebrity retreat tucked behind gates and tall hedges.

The property is huge by any standard -- featuring 7 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms and about 14,164 square feet of living space, all sitting on roughly 1.09 acres.