In a groundbreaking move for the long-running reality TV franchise, Taylor Frankie Paul, the breakout star of Hulu’s Emmy-nominated series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, has been announced as the lead for Season 22 of The Bachelorette.
This decision marks a significant departure from the show’s traditional casting formula and has generated considerable excitement among fans. Here’s an in-depth look at what this means for the franchise and what viewers can expect.
For the first time in the history of The Bachelorette, the lead is not a former contestant from The Bachelor or any other part of the Bachelor Nation universe. Instead, ABC has chosen a reality star from another popular series, Taylor Frankie Paul, who has captivated audiences with her raw and unfiltered storytelling on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives .
This move echoes the earlier unconventional casting of Matt James for The Bachelor Season 25, indicating a strategic shift by ABC to infuse new energy into the franchise.
Paul’s announcement was made on September 10, 2025, during an episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast hosted by Alex Cooper.
From MomTok to National Stardom
Taylor Frankie Paul, a 31-year-old single mother of three from Utah, first gained fame as a key figure in the MomTok community a subgroup of Mormon mom influencers on TikTok known for their parenting content and viral dances .
Her candid discussions about her personal life, including her experiences with divorce and open relationships, quickly made her a social media sensation.