Social media influencer Taylor Frankie Paul is stepping into a brand new reality: dating in front of millions as the next Bachelorette.
On Wednesday, one of the stars from the Hulu original “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” confirmed the news during her recent appearance on Alex Cooper’s podcast “Call Her Daddy,” telling listeners she is set to lead Season 22 of ABC’s “The Bachelorette.” The announcement comes as both a shock and an opportunity to shake up the long-running franchise with a fresh face whose path to the mansion has been anything but ordinary.
Paul first rose to prominence as part of the “MomTok” wave, a viral corner of TikTok populated by young Mormon mothers documenting their daily lives in Utah. Her willingness to speak candidly about the complexities of balancing faith, motherhood, relationships and personal desire made her a standout among viewers.
Fans were drawn to her honesty and relatability, even as her story took a turn when she found herself at the center of a swinging scandal that quickly became tabloid fodder. Rather than shy away from the spotlight, Paul leaned into it, addressing her past openly and ultimately landing a role on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” alongside other influencers. There, she further cemented her reputation as someone unafraid to share her struggles as well as her triumphs, winning over viewers who appreciated her candor.
Unlike most Bachelorettes, Paul has no prior ties to the Bachelor franchise. For longtime fans of the show, this means a lead whose narrative is not weighed down by previous onscreen romances, rivalries, or lingering heartbreak. Instead, Paul arrives with her own kind of fame and a unique backstory that promises to bring new energy to a format in need of reinvention.
ABC has leaned on fresh faces before, but rarely have they chosen someone whose notoriety began in the unpredictable world of TikTok and who comes with a built-in following that extends far beyond traditional Bachelor Nation.
What fans can expect from Paul’s season remains to be seen, but early signs suggest her trademark openness will play a central role. If her social media presence and past reality TV experience are any indication, audiences can anticipate a season full of emotional transparency, bold conversations and possibly a few moments of chaos. For a franchise that thrives on both romance and drama, Paul seems like the kind of lead who can deliver both in equal measure.
Her casting also highlights a growing trend of Mormon personalities moving into mainstream reality television. From fellow MomTok members, Whitney Leavitt and Jen Affleck, appearing on the upcoming season of “Dancing With the Stars” to Paul herself, Mormon women are increasingly becoming visible in spaces that once felt out of reach.
Paul’s journey adds a layer of cultural intrigue to the upcoming season. Not only is she navigating the pressures of finding love in front of a national audience, but she’s also redefining what it means to come from a community often associated with privacy and restraint.
For Paul, the road ahead promises to be complicated, but it’s also a chance to reshape her narrative. What began with TikTok videos and a scandal that nearly derailed her public image has now brought her to the center of primetime television.
In the Bachelor Mansion, she will have to juggle the demands of fame, the scrutiny of an audience eager to dissect her every move and the very real task of searching for a lasting relationship that she has openly struggled with finding. Whether the experience ends in an engagement or not, one thing is certain: Taylor Frankie Paul is no stranger to reinvention and her turn as the Bachelorette is poised to be one of the most discussed seasons yet.
@emiliedeoreo
