Taylor Frankie Paul's Bachelorette Journey: Meet Her 26 Suitors!

MomTok sensation Taylor Frankie Paul is making Bachelor Nation history as the next Bachelorette! Get ready to dive into her quest for love with 26 potential men vying for her heart.

TL;DR

Taylor Frankie Paul, known from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, is the Bachelorette Season 22 lead, making her the first Mormon Bachelorette.
ABC officially unveiled 26 potential suitors on October 23, 2025, with filming kicking off shortly after.
The cast includes some eyebrow-raising names like Lana Del Rey's ex-fiancé, Clayton Johnson, and men with multiple children, prompting questions about their compatibility with Taylor's life in Utah.
Taylor's ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, has publicly reacted to her new role, jokingly expressing a desire to "win my baby momma back."
Season 22 of The Bachelorette is expected to premiere in 2026 on ABC and will be available the next day on Hulu.

From MomTok Star to Bachelorette Lead: Taylor Frankie Paul's Unexpected Journey

Alright, Bachelor Nation, buckle up because this season is already shaping up to be wild! Taylor Frankie Paul, the TikTok-famous personality from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, is officially stepping into the spotlight as our next Bachelorette for Season 22. This is a huge deal, not just because she’s a social media sensation, but also because she’s making history as the franchise's first Mormon lead!

If you're new to the Taylor Frankie Paul saga, she rose to prominence with her candid MomTok content and later starred in the Hulu series, which chronicled her life and friendships. Taylor, 31, is a proud mom of three: daughter Indy (8) and son Ocean (5) with her ex-husband Tate Paul, and son Ever (19 months) with her more recent ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen. Her journey has definitely had its ups and downs, including a highly publicized "soft swinging" scandal and a domestic violence arrest in 2023. So, yeah, it's safe to say she's no stranger to drama or living her life in the public eye, which means her season is going to be anything but boring!

Who's Vying for Her Rose? Get to Know Taylor's Potential Suitors!

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ABC dropped the official list of 26 potential contestants on Facebook on October 23, 2025, giving fans a sneak peek at the men hoping to win Taylor’s heart. Filming for Season 22 is expected to begin this weekend, likely Sunday, October 26, 2025, following the usual pattern of releasing contestants a few days beforehand. While the final lineup might shrink a bit before night one, we’ve got some fascinating insights into who could be stepping out of those limos.

The Men Who Could Steal Taylor Frankie Paul's Heart:

Aaron Kahng, 32, Vineyard, UT: A local Utah guy, which could be a huge plus for Taylor and her family.
Brad Ledford, 28, Newport Beach, CA / Nashville, TN: This dude has already had a taste of the influencer world, having previously dated TikTok star Cali Fuller, who boasts 300,000 followers. Sounds like he might be comfortable with Taylor's public lifestyle.
Brandon Perce, 28, Milwaukee, WI: Here's an interesting one—Brandon is divorced and has two children. While ABC lists Milwaukee, rumor has it he actually lives in South Dakota. Skeptics wonder if he'd truly be willing to relocate to Utah for Taylor, especially with kids involved.
Casey Hux, 30, Nashville, TN: Fans were quick to notice that Casey bears a striking resemblance to Taylor's ex, Dakota Mortensen. Talk about an awkward first impression!
Chris Braden, 34, Venice, CA: From sunny California, Chris adds another west coast flavor to the mix.
Christopher Wood, 35, Vacaville, CA: Another California hopeful.
Clayton Johnson, 35, Nashville, TN: Prepare for some celebrity crossover! Clayton is a musician and, get this, the ex-fiancé of none other than pop superstar Lana Del Rey! They were engaged in December 2020 after meeting on a dating app and broke up in September 2021. He was also in a band called Stereo Skyline, and apparently, his old band photos look absolutely nothing like him now! He even co-wrote a song with Lana in July 2024, so they're still in each other's orbits.
Conrad Ukropina, 32, Los Angeles, CA: This guy has some serious athletic cred. Conrad was a former kicker for Stanford University's football team from 2012 to 2016.
Dave, 44, Thornton, CO: At 44, Dave is officially the oldest potential contestant this season. It's rare to see men in their forties on the show, so he's definitely a standout.
Doug, 28, San Diego, CA: Another San Diego native looking for love.
Joe Ceraulo, 27, Los Angeles, CA: You know Taylor loves a good gambling story (or maybe just good odds!). Joe is a gambling podcast host for VSiN out of Vegas. We’re already guessing he'll be a favorite for some fans!
Johnnie LaRossa, 30, Massapequa, NY: Representing the East Coast in the competition.
Josh Harward, 28, Provo, UT: Okay, this one is intriguing! Taylor Frankie Paul herself reportedly follows Josh on social media. Could there be a pre-show connection or just a curious follow? Rumor has it there's a very interesting reason for it, but we'll have to wait for confirmation.
Kevin Montero, 32, Miami, FL: Bringing some Florida sunshine to the mansion.
Lew Evans, 32, Salt Lake City, UT: Another Utahn! Taylor might appreciate someone who truly understands her home life.
Malik Evans, 30, Brooklyn, NY: Hailing from the Big Apple.
Marcus, 28, Jamaica, NY: Another New Yorker hoping to find love with Taylor.
Matt Carroll, 43, Carmel, IN: The second-oldest contestant, Matt also has three young children. Like Brandon, his situation raises questions about the logistics of moving to Utah for a relationship with Taylor.
Michael Baba, 36, San Diego, CA: A potential suitor from Southern California.
Mike, 36, Lavallette, NJ: Another East Coaster in the mix.
Richard, 35, Charleston, SC: From the charming city of Charleston.
Rod, 35, Austin, TX: Bringing some Texas charm to the show.
Ronn, 28, San Francisco, CA: Representing Northern California.
Shane, 27, Atlanta, GA: From the heart of Georgia.
Spencer, 35, Vineyard, UT: Yet another local from Utah, which could give him an edge.
Trenton Merrill, 35, Los Angeles, CA: Trenton is truly inspiring. He’s a Paralympic athlete and an amputee (his left leg is amputated above the knee). His story will undoubtedly be a powerful one to follow this season.

“In my head I’m like, ‘How do I make this work?’ I’m a co-parent. I have two baby daddies, not one, so I’m dealing with two different people. My children, my home base is here. Can I travel that long? Can I be gone that long?”

— Taylor Frankie Paul on her reservations about being The Bachelorette (via Call Her Daddy podcast)

Dakota Mortensen's Take: An Ex-Boyfriend's Public Reaction to Her New Role

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It's never easy watching an ex move on, especially when it's on national television. Taylor’s ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, with whom she shares son Ever, has made his feelings known in a rather public way. After TikToker Zachary Reality broke down the new cast list, Dakota jokingly commented, "Making me wanna go win my baby momma back."

This sparked quite a reaction from fans, with some finding it a bit "messy" and others wondering if he was trying to sabotage her opportunity. Taylor had previously admitted she hadn't even told Dakota about her Bachelorette role, saying she assumed he'd be "sad" and that it would be "hard to watch." Dakota also weighed in on Taylor's confession about their "last hookup," playfully adding, "1 or 2 times... Got it lol." It definitely seems like their dynamic will be a talking point throughout her season.

When Can We Watch? Filming Details and Release Projections for Season 22

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While the excitement is palpable, we'll have to hold tight for a little while longer. Taylor Frankie Paul's season of The Bachelorette (Season 22) is officially set to premiere sometime in 2026. Typically, new Bachelorette seasons hit our screens in the summer, similar to Jenn Tran’s season which premiered in July 2024. However, some reports hint at an early 2026 debut, so we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for an exact date!

As for filming, it’s all happening now! With the potential cast list dropping on October 23, 2025, filming for the season likely kicked off on Sunday, October 26, 2025. According to insider scoop, the initial schedule for the first week might look something like this: a grand entrance and cocktail party on Sunday night, followed by an off-day on Monday, a group date on Tuesday, a one-on-one date on Wednesday, and another group date on Thursday. Keep an eye on social media from Los Angeles, where early group dates are expected to take place!

This season promises to be a unique chapter in Bachelor Nation history, blending the worlds of MomTok, reality TV fame, and the classic quest for love. We can't wait to see Taylor Frankie Paul navigate it all!

Frequently Asked Questions About Taylor Frankie Paul's Bachelorette Season

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When does Taylor Frankie Paul's Bachelorette season premiere?

Taylor Frankie Paul's season (Season 22) of The Bachelorette is expected to premiere in 2026. An exact date has not been announced yet, but seasons typically air in the summer or early in the year.

Who is Taylor Frankie Paul?

Taylor Frankie Paul is a social media personality and star of the Hulu series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. She rose to fame on TikTok for her "MomTok" content and is making history as the first Mormon lead of The Bachelorette. She is a mother of three children from two previous relationships.

Will Lana Del Rey's ex-fiancé really be on The Bachelorette?

Yes! Clayton Johnson, musician and ex-fiancé of singer Lana Del Rey, is among the 26 potential suitors revealed by ABC for Taylor Frankie Paul's season of The Bachelorette.