Taylor Frankie Paul, a 31-year-old social media creator and star of Hulu’s Emmy-nominated reality series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, was announced Wednesday as the next lead on ABC’s The Bachelorette.
The network confirmed Paul will headline Season 22 in a press release and in an appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast with host Alex Cooper. The Utah native, who has built a large following on TikTok and Instagram for candid videos about parenthood and her personal life, is a single mother of three and was described by ABC as ready to “trade headline-making heartbreak for hometown dates” as she begins her run on Bachelor Nation.
ABC’s official Bachelorette biography called Paul “the breakout star” of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and said her “comedic, heartwarming and bitingly honest content” has drawn millions of viewers. The announcement marks an unconventional casting choice for the franchise: Paul is not a former contestant from The Bachelor or The Bachelorette and is best known for documenting life as a mother and former member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on social platforms and in the Hulu series.
An exact premiere date for Paul’s season has not been announced. The franchise previously said it would skip a production cycle in 2025 following Jenn Tran’s season, indicating the new season of The Bachelorette is not expected to air until 2026.
Paul’s selection comes amid broader efforts by the franchise to refresh its casting and programming. Fans and media outlets had anticipated breaking news related to The Bachelor’s 30th season but were surprised by the Bachelorette reveal. Paul confirmed details of her casting during the podcast appearance and spoke about joining the franchise with Cooper.
Viewers who want to see Paul before her Bachelorette season can stream The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives on Hulu; the series is set to return Nov. 13. Paul has conducted several interviews about her life and her role on the Hulu series, and maintains active social media profiles where she shares personal updates and promotional material.
ABC did not immediately provide additional production details, including filming locations, format changes or the size of the incoming pool of contestants. Representatives for Paul did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The announcement continues a recent trend of reality shows drawing leads from outside traditional franchise pools and from digital platforms, reflecting the industry’s increasing attention to creators with built-in audiences. Paul’s season will test whether that established online following translates into the traditional reality-TV audience of The Bachelorette.