TikTok star Taylor Frankie Paul is shaking up Bachelor Nation as The Bachelorette Season 22 lead, bringing new energy and some unexpected schedule changes with her.
TL;DR: Here's the Scoop on Taylor Frankie Paul's Bachelorette Journey
- Taylor Frankie Paul is officially The Bachelorette for Season 22, making history as the franchise's first Mormon lead with three kids.
- Mark your calendars for Sunday, March 22, 2026! This season breaks tradition, moving to a spring premiere and Sunday night slot on ABC and Hulu.
- Get ready for a diverse cast of men, including Lana Del Rey's ex-fiancé, Clayton Johnson, and the potential for some serious ex-boyfriend drama involving Taylor's former partner, Dakota Mortensen.
Big news, Bachelor Nation! The Bachelorette is making a groundbreaking return for its 22nd season, and it's unlike anything we've seen in at least 15, maybe even 17, years. Get ready to adjust your viewing habits because Taylor Frankie Paul's season is set to premiere on Sunday, March 22, 2026, on ABC, with streaming available on Hulu.
This is a massive shift! For decades, The Bachelor and The Bachelorette have been Monday night staples. The Bachelor usually kicked off in January, running through March, followed by The Bachelorette filming in spring and airing in the summer. But not anymore! This time around, Taylor's season will air from March to May, a period traditionally reserved for filming. It's a complete flip-flop with American Idol, which is now taking over the early 2026 Monday night slot, starting January 26th.
The move to Sunday nights is also unprecedented for the main Bachelor/Bachelorette series. While spin-offs like Bachelor in Paradise or The Golden Bachelor have aired on different days, the flagship shows have always owned Monday. It seems ABC is really throwing everything against the wall to see what sticks, turning the franchise upside down for what promises to be a memorable season.
Get the inside scoop on Taylor Frankie Paul's Bachelorette season 22! Discover the 26 potential suitors, including Lana Del Rey's ex, filming updates, and her ex-boyfriend's reaction.
Meet Taylor Frankie Paul: Your Unconventional and Fascinating Bachelorette Lead
If you're wondering who Taylor Frankie Paul is, you're in for a treat! She's not your typical Bachelor Nation alumna, and that's exactly why her season is already generating so much buzz. Taylor rose to fame on TikTok, boasting an impressive 5 million followers on the platform and 1.7 million on Instagram. She's also a star of Hulu's hit reality show, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, where fans have followed her journey.
Taylor is making history as the franchise's first Mormon lead, and she comes with a full, rich life story. She's a proud mother of three children: daughter Indy (8) and son Ocean (5), whom she shares with ex-husband Tate Paul (they were married from 2016 to 2022). She also welcomed son Ever in 2024 with her most recent ex, Dakota Mortensen.
Taylor Frankie Paul on becoming The Bachelorette:
"I can’t even process what is going on. I am the Bachelorette, guys – that’s wild! I don’t want to get emotional, because I’m always emotional, but these are good emotions. When they flew to town to ask me, my first thoughts were why me? It goes without saying that I come with a lot, and I was like, ‘Who is going to want me?'"
– Taylor Frankie Paul, Us Weekly interview
Get ready for a totally fresh Bachelorette! Taylor Frankie Paul is shaking up Season 22 with a new Sunday premiere on March 22, 2026. Discover her unique backstory, the older cast, and all the juicy details.
Her Search for Love: Faith, Family, and Finding "The One"
Despite her unconventional path, Taylor's goal is clear: she's "definitely" aiming for an engagement by the end of this season. She describes herself as a "lover girl" who falls in love quickly and is excited to "take her time" getting to know a diverse group of men, hoping to discover new things about herself and what she truly wants in a partner.
When it comes to her ideal match, Taylor is open-minded. While she is a practicing Mormon, she isn't exclusively looking for a partner of the same faith. She expressed to Us Weekly that she's "open to any religion" as long as they align on "values and morals," and, crucially, believe "in faith and God." This becomes especially important for her when considering raising her children, as she wants to ensure they share a vision for what to teach them.
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Meet the Suitors: From Lana Del Rey's Ex to a Dakota Mortensen Lookalike
ABC has teased an initial list of 26 potential suitors who are vying for Taylor's heart. Most of these men are in their 30s, with a couple even in their 40s – a rarity for the franchise! While the final cast list typically shrinks before filming concludes, a few names have already generated significant buzz.
One of the most talked-about contenders is Clayton Johnson, a 35 or 36-year-old from Nashville, TN. Fans of Lana Del Rey will recognize him as her ex-fiancé! The two were engaged in December 2020 after a whirlwind romance and broke up in September 2021, though they were still making music together as recently as July 2024. Having someone accustomed to the spotlight could be a great fit for Taylor's public lifestyle.
Another contestant, Casey Hux (age 30, with reported hometowns of Midlothian, VA or Nashville, TN), immediately drew comparisons from fans who noted his resemblance to Taylor's ex, Dakota Mortensen. Talk about an interesting dynamic!
Other men initially listed by ABC (though ages and locations may vary slightly across different early reports) include:
- Aaron Kahng (32, Bellevue, WA or Vineyard, UT)
- Brad Ledford (29, Asheville, NC or 28, Newport Beach, CA/Nashville, TN)
- Brandon Perce (28, West Allis, WI or Milwaukee, WI)
- Chris Braden (34, Goleta, CA or Venice, CA)
- Christopher Wood (35, Rowlett, TX or Vacaville, CA)
- Conrad Ukropina (32, Pasadena, CA or Los Angeles, CA)
- Dave Pigott (44, Thornton, CO)
- Doug Mason (28, Hailey, ID or San Diego, CA)
- Joe Ceraulo (27, Syosset, NY or Los Angeles, CA)
- Johnnie LaRossa (30, Massapequa, NY)
- Josh Harward (28, Provo, UT)
- Kevin Montero (32, Miami, FL)
- Lew Evans (32, Salt Lake City, UT)
- Malik Evans (30, Brooklyn, NY)
- Marcus Richardson (28, Elmont, NY or Jamaica, NY)
- Matt Carroll (43, Carmel, IN)
- Michael Baba (37, Lake Forest, CA or 36, San Diego, CA)
- Mike Turitto (36, Lavallette, NJ)
- Richard (35, Charleston, SC)
- Rod (35, Austin, TX)
- Ronn (28, San Francisco, CA)
- Shane (27, Atlanta, GA)
- Spencer (35, Vineyard, UT)
- Trenten (35, Los Angeles, CA)
It's worth noting that some individuals from the initial list, like Joe Rallo, didn't make it to the final cast. He was reportedly doing a podcast on the first night of filming!
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The Drama is Already Brewing: Dakota Mortensen's Public Reactions
No Bachelorette season would be complete without some drama, and Taylor Frankie Paul's journey is already delivering before the premiere! Her most recent ex-boyfriend and father of her son Ever, Dakota Mortensen, has been quite vocal online since Taylor's announcement.
Dakota famously commented on a TikTok video about Taylor's suitors, saying he was "making me wanna go win my baby momma back." He also publicly fact-checked Taylor during her "Call Her Daddy" podcast appearance when she discussed their last hook-up, adding his own "1 or 2 times... Got it lol" in the comments section. He even posted cryptic messages on his Instagram stories about "God and family" amidst the news.
Taylor hasn't directly discussed her new role with Dakota but admitted she "wouldn't be shocked" if he showed up out of a limo on Night 1. Given their public and dramatic past, which included Taylor's 2023 domestic violence arrest (where she pleaded guilty to assault), his appearance would certainly add another layer of intrigue to an already explosive season.
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Filming is On: Behind-the-Scenes Peek at Taylor's Bachelorette Journey
While the premiere is still a ways off, filming for Taylor Frankie Paul's season is already well underway! Contestants moved into the mansion on a Sunday night, followed by the first group date on Monday and the first one-on-one date on Tuesday. Another date is planned for Wednesday, leading up to the second rose ceremony on Friday.
In a surprising twist for Bachelor Nation, Taylor seems to be allowed to have her phone during filming, as she's reportedly posted sponsored content on her Instagram stories. This level of access for a lead is unusual and further highlights how ABC is bending the rules for this unique Bachelorette. It’s definitely a different era for the franchise!
Frequently Asked Questions About Taylor Frankie Paul's Bachelorette Season
Sources
This article synthesizes information from various news reports and podcasts covering Taylor Frankie Paul's Bachelorette season, including updates from Reality Steve, Us Weekly, Life & Style, and ScreenRant, based on official announcements from ABC and Taylor's own statements.