Alex Cooper Names Taylor Frankie Paul as Season 22 Bachelorette

Lead On September 10, Alex Cooper revealed on her “Call Her Daddy” podcast that Taylor Frankie Paul, star of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, will lead season 22 of The Bachelorette.

Nut Graf The announcement marks the first time ABC has cast a reality TV figure outside Bachelor Nation as the Bachelorette, highlighting the franchise’s shift toward diverse, unexpected leads.

The Announcement

During the episode released at 1:06 p.m. UTC, Cooper surprised listeners by inviting Paul into the studio and asking, “You are on Call Her Daddy so we can officially announce that you are this season’s Bachelorette. How are you feeling?”.
Paul, 31, described the moment as “surreal” and admitted she didn’t believe it until she received the formal invitation to join the franchise.

Lead Selection and Logistics

ABC confirmed in March that season 22 would not air in July, delaying the typical summer schedule.
Paul weighed logistical concerns as a single mother of three, questioning how she’d balance filming with co-parenting obligations. Ultimately, she committed to “making it work” by enlisting additional support.

Franchise Evolution

Viewers first speculated about a Bachelor announcement after Cooper teased a cake with pink filling and captioned the clip “Change of plans 🌹” on Instagram.
By tapping Paul-known for her candid reality-TV persona-Producers aim to inject fresh energy into the long-running series.

What’s Next Filming for season 22 is set to begin in early October, with the first rose ceremonies slated to air in early 2026. Expect exclusive behind-the-scenes coverage on Call Her Daddy and ABC’s official Bachelor platforms.