Taylor Frankie Paul, the 31-year-old star of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, just landed The Bachelorette lead role Sept. 10 – and her age makes this ABC casting choice matter more than you’d think for 3 kids and two baby daddies.
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ABC announced Taylor Frankie Paul as the Season 22 Bachelorette during her appearance on Call Her Daddy podcast Sept. 10. The 31-year-old reality star breaks franchise tradition – she’s never appeared on The Bachelor before.
ABC borrowed from Hulu’s roster instead. Taylor Frankie Paul rose to fame through MomTok on TikTok before starring in The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which earned its first Emmy nomination in July 2025. The show follows the group navigating a swinging sex scandal that made international headlines.
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Season 22 of The Bachelorette premieres in 2026. Season 3 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives drops Nov. 13 with all 10 episodes at once.
Why Older Bachelorettes Connect More With Single Parent Viewers
Taylor Frankie Paul joins at 31 years old – the same age Gabby Windey was during her season. That’s 5 years older than most recent lead Jenn Tran, who was 26, and 4 years older than Charity Lawson at 27.
The age gap matters for single parents watching. Paul brings 3 kids into the equation – daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5, from ex-husband Tate Paul, plus son Ever born March 2024 with ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen. She’s only the second Bachelorette in franchise history with children.
“I have three kids, and I don’t wanna be Mom and Dad. That’s what I am now, and it’s really hard,” — Taylor Frankie Paul, Call Her Daddy podcast.
Lock These 5 Reality TV Moments Before Nov. 13 Mormon Wives Drop
Season 3 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives arrives Nov. 13 on Hulu. Here’s what you’ll want to catch up on before Taylor Frankie Paul starts handing out roses in 2026.
| Step | Detail | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Watch Season 1 soft-swinging scandal that launched the show on Hulu | Now |
| 2 | Stream Season 2 finale featuring Dakota Mortensen breakup drama | Nov. 10 |
| 3 | Follow Taylor Frankie Paul on TikTok for MomTok content (5.7M followers) | Now |
| 4 | Check out Taylor’s CMA Awards presentation that became Season 2 plot point | Nov. 13 |
| 5 | Binge all Mormon Wives Season 3 episodes when they drop simultaneously | Nov. 13 |
Watch For These 4 Signs Before Dec. 2025 As Bachelorette Filming Starts
The Bachelorette Season 22 filming should kick off late 2025 or early 2026 based on typical production schedules. These signals tell you what’s coming next.
Social media mentions of Taylor Frankie Paul spike above 500K on X when contestant casting announcements drop – typically happens 60-90 days before filming starts.
ABC releases official premiere date for Season 22 between Nov. 2025 and Jan. 2026. Previous seasons premiered in January or February, so watch for announcements during holiday season 2025.
Mormon Wives co-stars Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt finish their Dancing with the Stars Season 34 run this fall – their availability signals when Taylor might start filming since the cast stays connected.
Dakota Mortensen posts on social media increase dramatically. Paul predicted he’d be “sad” and “definitely watching” after learning about her casting Sept. 10 alongside the public.
Which Mormon Wives Star Will Dominate Bachelor Nation By 2026?
Taylor Frankie Paul isn’t the only Mormon Wives cast member crossing into ABC territory. Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt both landed spots on Dancing with the Stars Season 34 this fall.
The casting strategy shows Disney betting big on the MomTok phenomenon. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives earned an Emmy nomination for outstanding unstructured reality program just months after its September 2024 debut.
Here’s what makes Paul’s crossover different: she’s leading an entire franchise season, not competing as a contestant. At 31 years old with 3 kids, she brings lived experience most Bachelorette leads lack. Will her unconventional path – from TikTok to Hulu to ABC – reshape how networks cast reality dating shows for older, parent audiences?
SOURCES
- https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/bachelorette-season-22-taylor-frankie-paul/story?id=125403612
- 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
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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