The Bachelor Nation finally has its new leading lady.
Taylor Frankie Paul, influencer, mom of three, and star of Hulu’s hit reality show Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, has officially been revealed as the next Bachelorette for season 22.
The announcement came on Wednesday, September 10, during an episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast hosted by Alex Cooper. In a dramatic reveal, Cooper confirmed the news directly to Paul, asking how she felt about stepping into one of the most high-profile roles in reality television.
Paul, 31, admitted she was still processing it. “Surreal. It has not hit me right now in this moment. I’m just thinking about it, and it’s not real. And it’s not going to be until I think the limo is pulling up, you know? And meeting the people,” she said.
Though she confessed to being nervous, Paul added that this opportunity felt almost unbelievable. She explained that her Bachelorette journey started as a joke when she posted a TikTok three years ago – but to her surprise, it ultimately turned into reality. “I still didn’t believe it until I got the invitation, ‘Will you be our Bachelorette?’” she revealed.
Balancing Motherhood and Reality TV
One of the biggest questions surrounding Paul’s new role is how she’ll balance it with being a single mom. She co-parents her three children – daughters Indy and Ocean with her ex-husband Tate Paul, and son Ever with former boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.
Paul admitted she had concerns about managing her responsibilities while filming. “I’m a co-parent. I have two baby daddies, not one, so I’m dealing with two different people, my children, my home base is here. Can I travel that long? Can I be gone that long?” she said.
However, she drew inspiration from her Secret Lives of Mormon Wives co-stars Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt, who competed on Dancing with the Stars while raising families. “For me, I’m like, is this possible for me to do as a single mom? Can I make it work realistically no matter how much I want this? And I was like, I can. If you want to, you can. It comes down to that. I will make it work … I can ask for help more,” Paul explained.
Family and Co-Star Reactions
While the news came as a shock to her family, Paul says they’re fully supportive. As for her reality TV co-stars, she confirmed that they all know about her new role and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. “I think most of them are going to be happy for me and support me. I can’t speak for everyone … but I think we’re all kind of doing our own thing, so everyone is getting their own shots,” she said.
When asked whether her casting might spark drama or secret group chats among her castmates, Paul laughed it off, saying she wasn’t sure – but acknowledged that the reality TV world thrives on surprises.
From MomTok Scandal to Primetime
Paul’s road to stardom hasn’t been a typical Bachelor Nation origin story. She first gained attention as part of the MomTok influencer community. In 2022, she announced her divorce from Tate Paul and soon after revealed that members of her circle were involved in a so-called “soft-swinging” arrangement.
The scandal became a central storyline in Hulu’s Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which followed Paul’s divorce, her controversial love life, and her rocky relationship with Mortensen. The series has been a streaming hit, with season 3 premiering November 13, 2025.
A First for The Bachelorette
Paul’s casting marks a unique turn for the long-running ABC dating show. Unlike most Bachelorettes, she has never been a contestant on The Bachelor. Her entry from a separate reality franchise is expected to shake up the format and potentially bring in a new audience.
ABC had already signaled changes earlier this year, announcing that The Bachelorette would not air during its usual summer slot in 2025. Franchise host Jesse Palmer assured fans that while the show was delayed, it wasn’t going anywhere, promising that its return would be “absolutely tremendous.”
Season 21, led by Jenn Tran, ended in September 2024 with a dramatic breakup shortly after filming wrapped. Paul’s season, set to debut in 2026, will now carry the weight of rejuvenating the series.
With her headline-making past, candid personality, and journey as a single mom, Taylor Frankie Paul is already shaping up to be one of the most talked-about Bachelorettes in franchise history.
- Shock and Awe: Lady Gaga Drops New ‘Mayhem Ball’ Tour Dates, Presales Go Wild! - September 12, 2025
- LeAnn Rimes Breaks Silence: The Untold Truth Behind 14 Years with Eddie! - September 12, 2025
- “Wake Up Dead Man” Review: The Darkest, Sharpest Knives Out Yet! - September 12, 2025
