Taylor Frankie Paul, a breakout star of Hulu’s reality series "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," was announced as the lead for Season 22 of The Bachelorette during an appearance on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast on Wednesday.
The 31-year-old Utah native was introduced as the franchise’s next Bachelorette in a reveal that surprised some viewers, who had expected the network to cast another Bachelor for the upcoming season. A network press release described Paul as "ready to trade headline-making heartbreak for hometown dates" and called her a "TikTok powerhouse" whose "raw, unapologetic storytelling" has drawn a large following.
The release noted Paul is a single mother of three and provided the names and ages of her children: daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5, with ex-husband Tate Paul; and son Ever, 1, whom she co-parents with ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen. Paul will be the second Bachelorette lead to enter the role as a parent, following Emily Maynard in 2012.
On the podcast, Paul said she expects contestants to be willing to move to Utah and discussed her dating preferences. She said a partner having children would not be a "dealbreaker at all" and that while she prefers someone who believes in God, it is not required that they share her Mormon faith. "I do preferably want someone that does believe in God," she said, adding, "Because when you’re raising children it can be confusing when one does and one doesn’t. … But also, I’m up for hearing their side." She later emphasized, "I don’t care what religion you are. How do you treat other people?"
Paul rose to prominence after the 2024 premiere of "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," which showcased members of the "MomTok" community, including Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt. The network’s announcement highlighted her candid storytelling and wide social media reach as factors that helped make her a franchise contender.
Alex Cooper, host of "Call Her Daddy," teased the reveal on Instagram on Tuesday with a video showing her cutting into a cake with pink frosting and the caption "Change of plans." The show’s podcast served as the platform for Paul’s public confirmation as the Bachelorette lead.
The production timetable and premiere date for Season 22 have not been released. The network’s statement framed Paul’s casting as the start of her "making her mark on Bachelor Nation," and noted her combination of humor and frankness as a draw for viewers.
Further casting details, filming schedule and the season’s premiere date were not disclosed by the network. Paul’s season will follow a recent period in the franchise that has experimented with varied casting and formats as producers seek to broaden the series’ audience.