Taylor Frankie Paul's Bachelorette Suitors: Lana Del Rey's Ex & Reality TV Vets!

Get ready, Bachelor Nation! MomTok star and Secret Lives of Mormon Wives personality Taylor Frankie Paul is making history as the newest Bachelorette, and her potential cast includes some seriously familiar faces, like a certain pop star's ex.

TL;DR

Taylor Frankie Paul, of MomTok and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives fame, is the lead for The Bachelorette Season 22, breaking franchise tradition.
One of her potential suitors is Clayton Johnson, known as Lana Del Rey's ex-fiancé, along with other men with reality TV ambitions.
Catch all the drama when The Bachelorette Season 22 premieres on ABC, Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET, streaming next day on Hulu.

Get Ready for a Fresh Face: Taylor Frankie Paul Takes on The Bachelorette!

Hold onto your roses, Bachelor Nation, because we’re in for a season unlike any other! Taylor Frankie Paul, the internet sensation known from #MomTok and Hulu's hit show The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, is officially our next Bachelorette. This is a pretty big deal, folks, as Taylor is the first lead ever chosen from outside the traditional Bachelor franchise. Talk about shaking things up!

Taylor, a 31-year-old mom of three from Utah, brings a unique backstory to the mansion. She's been incredibly open about her life, from her divorce from Tate Paul (with whom she co-parents Indy, 7, and Ocean, 4) to her relationship with ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, with whom she shares 17-month-old son, Ever. Her journey to stardom through #MomTok and the "soft-swinging" scandal that fueled The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has made her a relatable, if unconventional, choice. And let's be real, we're all here for it.

She recently confessed on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast that it all still feels "surreal." Imagine going from making TikToks to leading one of TV's biggest dating shows! "It has not hit me right now in this moment," Taylor shared. "I'm just thinking about it, and it's not real. And it's not going to be until I think the limo is pulling up, you know? And meeting the people." We feel you, Taylor!

The Suitors Have Arrived: A Glimpse at the Potential Cast for Season 22

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While ABC hasn’t officially locked down the final cast, they’ve already given us a tantalizing first look at 26 potential suitors who might be vying for Taylor’s heart. And let's just say, the casting team has been busy! From Utah locals to a few gentlemen in their 40s (a rarity on the show!), this group promises a diverse mix. But two names, in particular, have already set the internet buzzing.

Lana Del Rey's Ex-Fiancé Among the Bachelorette Hopefuls

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Get ready to add "pop star adjacent" to your Bachelor bingo card! One of the most talked-about potential contestants is none other than Clayton Johnson. You might recognize the 35-year-old Nashville native as the ex-fiancé of Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey.

"I think, just based on the articles that have come out, that Lana del Rey’s ex [will] stick around for a minute," said Heather, a reality TV casting producer, on "The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous podcast." "I don’t know if he’s going to go far, but I think with a celebrity connection, he’s not going to go home in the first couple of weeks."

Clayton and Lana had a whirlwind romance, getting engaged in December 2020 after reportedly meeting on a dating app just a few months prior. While they called it quits in September 2021, they were still collaborating on music as recently as July 2024. Talk about a complex modern relationship! His experience with a high-profile romance could be a huge plus for Taylor, who is no stranger to the public eye herself.

Familiar Faces and Reality TV Veterans in the Mix

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Clayton isn't the only potential suitor with a past connection to the reality TV world. Ashley Iaconetti and her podcast co-host Heather hinted that several "familiar faces" are among Taylor's potential crew. Heather, being a reality TV casting producer for various dating shows, revealed she'd been trying to get one specific guy on TV for years!

That man is Doug Mason, a 28-year-old from San Diego, California. "I actually have DMs going back to 2023 with Doug [Mason], trying to get him on TV," Heather claimed on the podcast. "I hit him up for all dating shows, and he responded to me every time that he was single."

Interestingly, Doug had apparently turned down previous offers to focus on his acting and modeling career. What changed? As Heather mused, "Maybe he saw the light and realized that going on a dating show does not kill either of these versions of your career?" It certainly seems like he's ready for the spotlight now! The presence of guys like Clayton and Doug raises questions about intentions, but for Taylor, someone who understands the demands of public life might just be the perfect match.

Taylor's Unique Wishlist: Utah, Social Media, and a Great Dad

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Taylor has been pretty upfront about what she’s looking for in a partner, and she's got some non-negotiables that are very "Taylor Frankie Paul." First up, her man needs to be willing to move to Utah. No long-distance reality show romance for this Bachelorette!

Second, he absolutely must be thrilled to appear in her social media videos. For a MomTok influencer, that's not just a preference, it's a lifestyle! "Paul also pointed out that she is not interested in a man who does not want to be in her videos," one source noted. Plus, as a mother of three, finding someone who is ready to be a loving, involved father figure to her children is paramount.

Her Secret Lives of Mormon Wives co-star, Mayci Neeley, even offered some advice: Taylor needs someone "in the middle," not too calm or too chaotic. "She needs someone that's in the middle, so they're not too calm and chill, because she needs a little bit of crazy in there. Someone that's not chaotic, but they're not, like, Eeyore," Mayci shared. Sounds like a delicate balance!

And for those wondering, Taylor has confirmed that this season won't only feature Mormon contestants. When asked, she responded with a clear "No lol" in a promotional video, indicating a diverse group of men will be joining her on this exciting journey.

Ex-Boyfriend Dakota Mortensen's Playful Reaction

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Speaking of complicated pasts, Taylor's ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, even weighed in on her Bachelorette news! After ABC revealed the first look at her potential suitors, Dakota—with whom Taylor shares son Ever—posted a TikTok playfully asking if he could be the next Bachelor, using the same Lindsay Lohan audio that Taylor had used to hint at her own Bachelorette gig.

He clarified it was "a joke… everyone relax," adding, "I am happy for Tay, and I hope she finds happiness." Taylor herself isn't entirely ruling out a surprise appearance from Dakota, telling Entertainment Tonight, "I wouldn't be shocked... 'Shocker you are here,' he's here, he wants to try, that wouldn't shock me." Imagine the drama if he actually showed up! It definitely adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already unconventional season.

Mark Your Calendars: When and Where to Watch The Bachelorette Season 22

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Alright, you’ve got all the juicy details, now for the important stuff: when can you actually watch this unfold?

The Bachelorette Season 22 is scheduled to premiere on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET on ABC. That’s right, mark your calendars! It's moving from its usual Monday night slot, so don't miss the big debut.

If you can't catch it live, don't sweat it! Episodes will be available to stream on Hulu the day after they air. So get ready for your weekly dose of romance, drama, and potentially very public social media appearances!

Frequently Asked Questions About The Bachelorette Season 22

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When does The Bachelorette Season 22 premiere? The new season of The Bachelorette starring Taylor Frankie Paul premieres on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET. Where can I watch Taylor Frankie Paul's Bachelorette season? You can watch The Bachelorette Season 22 on ABC. Episodes will also be available to stream on Hulu the day after they air. Will there only be Mormons on Taylor Frankie Paul's season? No, Taylor Frankie Paul has confirmed that not all of her suitors will be Mormon. The cast is expected to be diverse. Who is Taylor Frankie Paul? Taylor Frankie Paul is a 31-year-old MomTok influencer and reality TV star from Utah, known for her role in Hulu's The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. She is a divorced mother of three and the first Bachelorette lead chosen from outside the Bachelor franchise. Sources