Taylor Frankie Paul just landed the Bachelorette Season 22 lead spot Sept. 10, 2025 – and for the first time in 22 seasons, she’s never competed on The Bachelor.
Taylor Frankie Paul Announces Bachelorette Role Sept. 10 – First Non-Contestant Pick
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ABC made the announcement on Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy podcast Sept. 10, confirming Taylor Frankie Paul as the Season 22 lead. This breaks a 22-year pattern where every prior Bachelorette came from The Bachelor contestant pool.
The 31-year-old reality star rose to fame on Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, not Bachelor Nation. Paul brings 5.7M TikTok followers and a high-profile breakup with Dakota Mortensen into the franchise. She’s also a single mother of three children with two different fathers.
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Paul told Cooper she didn’t expect the casting. “It’s not real, and it’s not going to be until the limo is pulling up,” she said. “In my head, I’m like, ‘How is this happening?'”
Why Mormon Wives Fans Care More Than Bachelor Nation Traditionalists About Paul’s Lead
Mormon Wives viewers already know Paul’s story – the 2022 soft-swinging scandal that went viral, her divorce from Tate Paul, and her rocky relationship with Mortensen. Bachelor Nation traditionalists face a learning curve with a lead who’s never handed out roses before.
The split reaction showed up immediately. Fans praised ABC’s bold move on social media, while critics questioned elevating someone with a documented domestic violence arrest from February 2023. Paul avoided jail time through a plea deal after an altercation with Mortensen.
“She has three kids and two baby daddies, so will these bachelors line up to be baby daddy number three?” — Joy Behar, The View.
Lock These 4 Steps Before Nov. 13 Premiere – What To Do Now
Season 3 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives drops Nov. 13, 2025 with all 10 episodes at once. You’ll want to catch up before Bachelorette Season 22 premieres in 2026.
| Step | Detail | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Watch Mormon Wives Seasons 1-2 on Hulu to understand Paul’s backstory | Nov. 12 |
| 2 | Follow Taylor Frankie Paul on TikTok for behind-the-scenes Bachelorette updates | Now |
| 3 | Stream Mormon Wives Season 3 premiere episodes showing Paul’s post-Mortensen life | Nov. 13 |
| 4 | Check ABC announcements for Bachelorette Season 22 premiere date confirmation | Dec. 31 |
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The casting signals a Disney cross-platform strategy. ABC and Hulu both fall under Disney ownership, making Paul a strategic pick for integrated promotion. Here’s what to track before the 2026 premiere.
Social media chatter volume around Taylor Frankie Paul spikes above 1M mentions in the 90 days before premiere. Her TikTok and Instagram reach already brings built-in audiences that traditional Bachelor contestants don’t.
ABC announces the Bachelorette Season 22 premiere date before Dec. 15, 2025. The network confirmed 2026 airing but hasn’t locked a specific month yet. Watch for early January or February slots.
Ratings predictions from entertainment trades like Variety and Deadline before Nov. 30. If projections show a ratings bump from Paul’s crossover appeal, expect more non-traditional casting in future seasons.
Mormon Wives Season 3 viewership numbers post-Nov. 13 release. Strong Hulu performance would validate ABC’s bet that Paul’s existing fanbase translates to Bachelor audiences.
Which Bachelor Tradition Will Dominate Viewer Debate Before Season 22 Airs?
The franchise just tested whether outside celebrity beats internal contestant pipeline. Matt James became The Bachelor Season 25 lead in 2021 without prior franchise appearances, but no Bachelorette had ever broken that rule until now.
ABC essentially replaced The Bachelor Season 30 with Paul’s Bachelorette season in the 2026 schedule. The Bachelor likely returns in 2027 for the franchise’s 25th anniversary. That means Bachelor in Paradise follows Paul’s season instead.
Will Bachelor Nation embrace an outsider, or will traditional fans demand a return to contestant-only leads? The answer shapes casting decisions for the next 5 years.
SOURCES
- https://deadline.com/2025/09/the-bachelorette-season-22-taylor-frankie-paul-mormon-wives-1236519246/
- https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/secret-lives-mormon-wives-star-taylor-frankie-paul-bachelorette-rcna230282
- https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/bachelorette-season-22-taylor-frankie-paul/story?id=125403612
Daniel Harris is a specialist journalist focused on the crossroads of breaking news, extraordinary history, and enduring legends. With a background in historical research and storytelling, he blends timely reporting with timeless narratives, making complex events and ancient myths resonate with today’s readers. Daniel’s work often uncovers surprising links between present-day headlines and legendary tales, offering unique perspectives that captivate diverse audiences. Beyond reporting, he is passionate about preserving oral traditions and exploring how extraordinary stories continue to shape culture and identity.
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