Bachelor Nation is no stranger to surprises. From last-minute rose ceremonies to shocking breakups, viewers have been conditioned to expect the unexpected. But even the most seasoned fans couldn’t have predicted ABC’s September 10 announcement: Taylor Frankie Paul, the controversial TikTok influencer and breakout star of Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, will lead Season 22 of The Bachelorette.
At 31 years old, Paul isn’t just stepping into the spotlight of one of television’s most storied dating franchises—she’s bringing an entire storm of controversy, curiosity, and cultural conversation with her. ABC’s casting choice represents a seismic shift, not only for The Bachelorette, but also for Disney’s broader reality TV strategy.
Paul first rose to notoriety in 2022 when she publicly revealed that she and her then-husband, Tate Paul, were part of a “soft-swinging” group within their Mormon community in Utah. Her confession went viral on TikTok, sparking widespread fascination and outrage. Almost overnight, Paul went from being a “momfluencer” with a niche following to a polarizing figure whose every move was dissected across social media.
Her personal scandal ultimately led to her divorce later that year, but instead of fading into obscurity, Paul leaned into the spotlight. Hulu capitalized on the public’s obsession by greenlighting The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, a reality series that followed Paul and her circle of influencer friends, dubbed “MomTok,” as they navigated the fallout of the scandal. The show premiered in 2024, quickly becoming a streaming sensation thanks to its mix of domestic drama, religious tension, and reality TV spectacle.
Now, just two years later, Paul’s trajectory has come full circle: from viral infamy to headline-grabbing lead on one of network television’s most recognizable shows.
This casting marks several unprecedented milestones for The Bachelorette. Paul will be the first divorced single mother to take on the role. She’s also the first contestant to simultaneously star in another ongoing reality series—Mormon Wives is slated to return for its third season on November 13, just months before Paul’s season of The Bachelorette begins filming.
Bachelor Nation is already buzzing about how the show will integrate Paul’s real-life identity as a mother of three into its usual format. Will producers adapt the structure of the series to accommodate her family responsibilities? Will potential suitors be tested not just for romantic compatibility but also for their readiness to step into a blended family dynamic?
The decision also signals a clear break from tradition. Past leads have typically been chosen from within the franchise’s own ranks, often as runners-up from previous seasons of The Bachelor. By reaching outside its own universe and pulling a star from Hulu’s reality lineup, ABC is rewriting the rules—and possibly reshaping the future of the franchise.
It’s no accident that Paul hails from a Hulu property. Both ABC and Hulu fall under Disney’s massive media umbrella, and the company has been increasingly strategic about cross-pollinating stars between its reality programs.
In July, ABC announced that two other Mormon Wives stars—Jennifer Affleck and Whitney Leavitt—would join Season 34 of Dancing With the Stars. With Paul now fronting The Bachelorette, it’s clear Disney sees enormous potential in Mormon Wives as a talent pipeline and cultural talking point.
By merging the fan bases of Hulu’s breakout hit and ABC’s long-running dating franchise, Disney is effectively creating its own self-sustaining ecosystem of reality programming. If successful, this could set the stage for even more crossover casting in the years to come.
Of course, not everyone is applauding the move. Paul’s polarizing reputation means her season is likely to draw just as much criticism as it does curiosity.
Some longtime fans of The Bachelorette are worried that casting Paul represents a move away from genuine romance toward tabloid-style sensationalism. On TikTok, reactions were split: some viewers expressed excitement at the chaos Paul might bring to the franchise, while others lamented what they see as the erosion of the show’s original spirit.
There are also practical challenges. As a mother of three, Paul’s schedule and priorities will inevitably differ from those of past Bachelorettes. Producers will need to strike a careful balance between highlighting her maternal role and ensuring the series retains its signature escapist glamour.
And then there’s the issue of religion. Paul’s affiliation with and departure from Mormon traditions has been a central part of her public persona. How much of that will make it into the Bachelorette edit remains to be seen—but given the public’s fascination with the intersection of faith, sexuality, and scandal, it’s hard to imagine ABC leaving it out entirely.
The announcement sparked immediate chatter across Bachelor Nation. Some fans argue that Paul’s casting could inject fresh energy into a franchise that has struggled with ratings decline in recent years. Others fear her notoriety could overshadow the romantic storylines the show is supposed to deliver.
One fan on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “Taylor Frankie Paul as the Bachelorette? Chaos is coming. I’ll have my popcorn ready.” Another countered: “I miss when this show was about finding love, not chasing clout. This is a jump-the-shark moment.”
Bachelor alum also weighed in, with several former leads offering cautious optimism. “It’s definitely unexpected, but maybe that’s what the show needs right now,” one past contestant shared in an Instagram story.
For Paul herself, stepping into this role could be a redemption arc—or another chapter in her ongoing saga of controversy.
As the lead, she’ll have to navigate not just 25 or so suitors vying for her heart, but also the scrutiny of millions of viewers who already have strong opinions about her. Every choice she makes—whether in handing out roses or in discussing her past—will be dissected, memed, and debated.
Yet if Paul succeeds in showing vulnerability, growth, and authenticity, she could win over skeptics and redefine her public image. For a woman whose name has long been synonymous with scandal, The Bachelorette could serve as an opportunity to reintroduce herself on her own terms.
Paul’s casting also reflects a broader trend in reality television: the blurring of boundaries between different platforms, audiences, and storylines.
Where once reality stars were confined to a single show or network, today’s media landscape allows them to move fluidly across franchises, leveraging notoriety in one space to build opportunities in another. From Bravo stars appearing on Peacock spin-offs to Netflix contestants jumping to streaming specials, Paul’s trajectory is part of a larger shift in how fame operates within the genre.
For Disney, this is more than just a casting stunt—it’s a business strategy. By tying Hulu’s breakout hit to ABC’s flagship dating franchise, the company is ensuring that audiences invested in one story will be compelled to follow the other. It’s a cross-platform synergy play tailor-made for the streaming era.
The Bachelorette Season 22 won’t premiere until 2026, but anticipation is already sky-high. Between now and then, Paul’s ongoing role in Mormon Wives will keep her firmly in the public eye, ensuring that interest doesn’t wane.
The question is whether audiences will tune in out of genuine excitement to see Paul find love—or simply to watch the drama unfold. Either way, ABC and Disney have secured what they wanted: relevance, conversation, and headlines.
For Taylor Frankie Paul, the journey ahead promises to be as unpredictable as her rise to fame. Whether she emerges as a beloved romantic heroine or fuels more controversy, one thing is certain: her season of The Bachelorette will not be business as usual.