Taylor Frankie Paul Crowned ABC’s New Bachelorette

Lead ABC named Taylor Frankie Paul its next Bachelorette, elevating the Mormon Wives reality star to lead Season 22 after a viral “MomTok” scandal reshaped her public image today, September 10, 2025.

Nut Graf Paul’s selection marks a strategic pivot for Bachelor Nation, leveraging her substantial social media following and controversial backstory to reignite viewership. ABC aims to build on waning summer ratings by spotlighting a lead whose real-world drama promises heightened engagement.

The network broke the news this morning via a joint press release and social media rollout. Paul, 29, rose to fame on Secret Lives of Mormon Wives before sparking debate with online revelations about her unconventional dating life. Her candid admission of a swinging-lifestyle past on “MomTok” last month sparked both criticism and curiosity, making her a polarizing yet compelling figure for the franchise’s first fall-airing Bachelorette season.

ABC Entertainment President Craig Erwich hailed Paul as “an authentic, fearless woman whose journey embodies growth and self-discovery.” He emphasized that her backstory-and the debates it ignited-align with the franchise’s renewed focus on unfiltered storytelling.

Fans and critics alike reacted within hours. #BachelorNation trended on X as supporters praised ABC’s bold choice, while detractors questioned the network’s emphasis on controversy. Industry analysts predict Paul’s season could break streaming records for early online engagement, given her 1.2 million Instagram followers and viral podcast appearances.

Production will begin October 15 in Salt Lake City, Utah, with the premiere slated for late November and a three-hour finale in January. Alongside Paul, the season will feature 30 suitors selected to navigate both traditional rose ceremonies and new emotionally raw one-on-one formats designed to delve deeper into participants’ backstories.

With Taylor Frankie Paul at the helm, Season 22 of The Bachelorette seeks to redefine reality-dating television by marrying franchise staples with a host whose real-life controversies promise to keep viewers glued to their screens.