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A former 'Bachelorette' producer is calling BS on the idea that ABC was blindsided by Taylor Frankie Paul’s physical violence allegations involving her ex, Dakota Mortensen ... telling us there’s just no way that slipped through the cracks.

We spoke with Michael Carroll on "TMZ Live" Wednesday ... and he says back in his day, casting was unbelievably strict -- with deep background, medical, and psychological checks on every contestant ... adding that anyone with charges like that against her would’ve been an automatic no.

Catch the full clip, 'cause Michael doubles down, telling us current producers were fully aware of who the 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' star was. In his view, this wasn’t a surprise -- it was a setup ... calling it a publicity grab.

"Hannah Montana" star Jason Earles is exposing a "big secret" he had on the set of the popular Disney sitcom ... he told execs he was 10 years younger than he actually was in order to nab the part!

In the inaugural episode of the "Best of Both Our Worlds" podcast, Jason cops to lying about his age in his audition and telling producers he was 18 years old ... because he was really 28, but was supposed to be playing a teenager.

In fact, casting director Lisa London encouraged him to fudge the truth -- except she believed he was only 19 ... because the actor had "lied to her in a different audition."

JE admitted he almost didn't audition because he was "too old," saying ... "Nobody's gonna buy it."

But they did ... for a while. It wasn't until Season One's eighth episode that 'Hannah' producer and podcast cohost Douglas Danger Lieblein learned the truth.

The Disney alum also recalled being found out by a network exec, saying he "showed up on show night and was like, 'Hey, you're, uh, 28? And you're married?' I was like, 'Yeah, that girl I keep making out with … that's my wife.'"

Ultimately, Jason said showrunner Steven Peterman was grateful for the dishonesty and told him ... "Thank you so much for lying to us because we would’ve gotten nervous if we’d found out during the pilot and we would’ve recast you."

Douglas seconded the sentiment, adding that Jason made the show what it was because "the kids thought you were a kid and they treated you as such."

'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ star Taylor Frankie Paul told a counselor she didn't recall much after drinking vodka during her alleged 2023 attack on her ex, Dakota Mortensen, and that counselor determined she was a "problem drinker" ... at least temporarily.

TMZ obtained a 2023 substance abuse and mental health assessment filed as part of Taylor’s criminal case. The counselor who interviewed the reality TV star said Taylor showed up on time and was “smiling and friendly.” The report said Taylor was willing to share information “about the event that brought her in for the assessment.”

Taylor denied having any past or present drug use or prescription drug abuse. The counselor noted, however, that Taylor’s score on an alcohol screening test indicated she was an “intermediate problem drinker.”

Production on "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" kept viewers in the dark about serious abuse claims involving Taylor Frankie Paul ... TMZ has learned.

Sources connected to the series tell TMZ ... during filming of the Season 3 reunion, Dakota Mortensen accused Taylor of being abusive toward him ..., but we're told that entire exchange was cut and never made it to air.

However, a production source with direct knowledge tells us ... they BOTH hurled allegations of physical outbursts at each other. The volatile exchange was cut for air because the back-and-forth had nothing to do with the season they just shot.

The "Baywatch" reboot is officially underway, and star Brooks Nader told us she had a lot to learn ... Brooks says she needed someone to give her swimming lessons -- so she got the hottest trainer ever!

We caught up with Brooks on set Wednesday ... and after admitting she didn't grow up swimming and never had any lessons, she assured us she's making up for it.

She joked, "I'm an Olympic swimmer now!"

The model says she's taking acting lessons as well ... and if she acts as well as she takes pictures, we're in for the best show ever! Just watch our video ... we have the first shots of Brooks and Livvy Dunne in the iconic skintight red swimsuits.

Kerry Washington was feeling a little Scandalous -- calling up her former costar Tony Goldwyn for a cheeky chat about their famously steamy chemistry.

It all went down on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast … with Alex Cooper daring Kerry to ring Tony and relive the hottest moment between their characters Olivia Pope and President Fitzgerald Grant ... and yeah, he didn’t hold back!

The two picked up like no time had passed ... with Tony casually dropping that their steamiest scene was hooking up in an electrical closet.

Chris O'Neal -- who played Kevin Reed in Nickelodeon's "How to Rock" -- was arrested Monday ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... deputies responded to a burglary call in Malibu at 5:45 AM. We're told the caller stated they viewed security camera footage and saw three adults inside the home.

According to our sources, officers were told the suspects entered through the rear, manipulating the cameras so that the caller couldn't see what happened afterward.

Dakota Mortensen was waving red flags to ABC about his baby mama, Taylor Frankie Paul, ahead of her time on "The Bachelorette" ... TMZ has learned.

Two sources in Taylor's circle tell us Dakota had conversations with 'Bachelorette' producers before she started filming to warn them about her behavior and past abuse ... but production pressed forward.

In fact, we're told producers were even interested in having Dakota appear on her season in some capacity ... though we hear he didn't end up filming. And that's not all.

"The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" cast is drawing a firm line with Taylor Frankie Paul -- while still firmly in her corner and pushing for her to get help ... TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... the entire cast believes Taylor isn't in a good place mentally, and they want her to seek help before anything else moves forward with filming. We're told the cast isn't icing her out ... far from it.

Our sources say they're all on her side and rooting for her to work through her issues, but feel production and Hulu haven't done enough to push her in that direction. We're told the cast remains fed up with what they see as production repeatedly sweeping Taylor's alleged abuse issues under the rug.

Before this sweet girl from Los Angeles, California turned into a TV personality and singer, she was just hittin' the beaches and singing in the choir ...

You probably best know her from MTV's "Ridiculousness."

Martha Stewart is stepping into "The Real Housewives of New York City" reboot ... TMZ has learned.

Sources connected to the series tell TMZ ... Martha recently filmed a cameo for season 16, appearing alongside her longtime makeup artist, Daisy Toye. We're told the shoot went down within the last couple of weeks, and the cameo is already in the can.

Daisy, one of the newest additions to the cast, has worked closely with Martha for years ... making the crossover a natural fit.

Christine Quinn's "Selling Sunset" comeback has hit a snag ... and it all comes down to location and accommodations ... TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Christine is still in active negotiations to return for Season 10, but the deal hasn't been finalized as both sides remain stuck on logistics tied to where she'll live during filming, and who's footing the bill.

We're told the main issue is that Christine currently lives full-time in the Dallas area with her son, Christian, after relocating in early 2025 for a fresh start following her divorce. Meanwhile, 'SS' shoots in Los Angeles, where producers want her based for 5 to 6 months. That’s created a major sticking point.

Can you guess which Hollywood hottie laid out her rockin' hot bod in this eye-popping shot?! Here are your clues:

She is a former Miss USA titleholder, and you probs saw her on MTV back in "The Osbournes" and "Newlyweds" days ...

'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' star Taylor Frankie Paul speed-dialing her baby daddy Dakota Mortensen nearly 150 times in a single night is just part of their toxic routine ... TMZ has learned.

A screenshot of Dakota's call log is going viral, showing all the times Taylor dialed Dakota in one night ... adding up to about 150 calls. That sounds bonkers to most of us, but sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ it's nothing out of the ordinary for these exes.

We're told Dakota actually expects hundreds of calls from TFP every night -- he kinda likes the validation and attention -- but, his past battles with addiction are also at play.

"Love Island USA" star Huda Mustafa is firing back to a recent restraining order her boyfriend's baby mom filed against her.

The reality star posted on her Instagram story a picture of a punching bag, along with the text ... "I'm aware of what's being said and it's not true. I'm handling everything the right way by letting legal take care of it. I appreciate everyone who continues to support me."

As we reported ... Nicole Olivera -- the mother of Louis Russell's child -- claims Huda showed up at her L.A. apartment and forced her way into the building last month

Nicole Young has officially closed the book on her time with "Selling Sunset" ... and she's starting a new chapter in Tennessee.

Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ … Nicole and her husband, Brandon, bought a home in Nashville -- and she's officially not returning for the upcoming tenth season of the hit Netflix real estate series.

We're told Nicole made it clear to Netflix she had no interest in returning to 'SS' and producers haven't reached out to her since the last season aired ... but her move back east is looking pretty baller.