The Five Biggest Bombshells About Taylor Frankie Paul: The Most Controversial Bachelorette Ever (Season 22)
The Bachelor Nation is about to be rocked to its core. After months of speculation, ABC has officially announced the new lead for the upcoming season, and it is a move no one saw coming: Taylor Frankie Paul, the infamous "MomTok" star and reality TV personality, is the next Bachelorette. This choice signals a dramatic, unprecedented shift for the franchise, moving away from its traditional pool of former contestants and embracing a lead with a highly public, complex, and controversial past. The decision to cast a star from a completely different reality universe—Hulu's The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives—is the biggest shake-up in the show's history, promising a season full of explosive drama, non-traditional dating, and a quest for love unlike anything viewers have seen before. The franchise is clearly aiming for a massive ratings boost by tapping into the massive social media following and intense curiosity surrounding Paul's life.
The highly anticipated The Bachelorette Season 22 is set to premiere on Sunday, March 22, 2026, marking a significant and "wild change" to the show’s typical Monday night schedule. The decision to feature Taylor Frankie Paul, who is currently 31 years old and a mother of three, has already sparked a furious debate among fans and critics alike. The producers are betting that her history, which includes a highly publicized "soft-swinging" scandal, polyamorous relationships, and a domestic violence charge, will make her the most compelling and "revolutionary" lead in the show's history. As filming is currently underway, the early spoilers and cast announcements confirm this season will be a must-watch television event, blending traditional romance with a new, unfiltered brand of reality chaos.
The Complete Taylor Frankie Paul Biography: #MomTok, Controversy, and the Road to the Mansion
Taylor Frankie Paul's life story is anything but traditional, making her selection as the Bachelorette a fascinating and polarizing choice. Her fame originated far from the hallowed halls of Bachelor Mansion, instead growing from the highly competitive and often dramatic world of Utah's "MomTok" community.
Paul first gained a massive following on TikTok, where she shared relatable content about motherhood and family life. She quickly became a prominent "Mormon momfluencer," amassing millions of followers. However, her true rise to infamy came with the revelation of her personal life.
- Full Name: Taylor Frankie Paul
- Age: 31 years old (as of late 2025)
- Hometown: Utah
- Primary Career: Social Media Influencer (MomTok), Reality Television Personality
- Previous Reality TV: Star of Hulu's The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (SLOMW)
- Children: Three children: Daughter Indy May (born August 2017) and son Ocean (shared with ex-husband Tate Paul), and son Ever (shared with ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen).
- Previous Marriages/Partners: Ex-Husband Tate Paul (divorced after the soft-swinging scandal) and Ex-Boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.
- Major Controversies: The 2022 "soft-swinging" sex scandal, a highly publicized domestic violence charge, and public feuds with other MomTok stars like Demi Engemann and Makenna Gibbons.
The "soft-swinging" scandal in 2022 was the pivotal moment that launched Paul into national headlines. She admitted on TikTok to a consensual, polyamorous arrangement within her friend group, a revelation that led to her divorce from her then-husband, Tate Paul, and the implosion of the tight-knit "MomTok" circle. This history of non-traditional relationships and public drama is precisely what makes her a "revolutionary" choice for the conservative Bachelor franchise.
Why Taylor Frankie Paul is the Most 'Revolutionary' Bachelorette Ever
The selection of Taylor Frankie Paul is a clear strategic move by ABC to inject fresh, high-stakes drama and topical authority into a franchise often criticized for being stale and repetitive. Her background provides a built-in narrative that deviates sharply from the typical storyline of a heartbroken contestant seeking a second chance.
The primary reason Paul is considered the most revolutionary lead is her past with polyamory and the "soft-swinging" scandal. The term "soft-swinging," which she popularized, refers to couples swapping partners but stopping short of sexual intercourse. This level of openness about non-monogamy and complex relationship dynamics—especially within a traditionally conservative Mormon context—is unprecedented for the show.
Producers are likely hoping to explore a more mature and nuanced view of modern dating. Paul, as a divorced mother of three with a history of public mistakes, represents a demographic that many viewers can relate to more than the typical 24-year-old marketing executive. Her journey is not just about finding a husband; it's about navigating love, co-parenting, public scrutiny, and a complex past. The show is expected to delve into how the 26 bachelors react to her history and whether they can handle the unique dynamics of her life.
Furthermore, Paul's casting highlights the franchise's willingness to cross-pollinate with other reality TV and social media universes. By bringing in a star from a Hulu series, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, ABC is attempting to capture a new, younger, and more social-media-savvy audience. This move essentially turns the new season into a crossover event, creating massive buzz and a built-in base of fans already invested in her personal life and the notorious #MomTok drama.
Season 22 Spoilers: Premiere Date, Cast, and Filming Twists
The details emerging from the filming of The Bachelorette Season 22 confirm that the show is embracing Paul's dramatic past and non-traditional approach to dating. The season is already generating significant spoilers and buzz.
Major Schedule Change
The biggest announced format change is the premiere date and time slot. The Bachelorette Season 22 will kick off on Sunday, March 22, 2026. This Sunday night premiere is a major deviation from the franchise’s long-standing tradition of airing on Monday nights, suggesting ABC is using Paul’s star power to anchor a new, premium viewing slot for the network.
Early Filming Spoilers and Locations
Filming for Season 22 began in late October 2025, and spoilers have already leaked, confirming the high-energy, dramatic tone of the season. Paul was reportedly seen on a group date in Las Vegas, where she was photographed kissing multiple dates. The Vegas dates and early footage suggest a fast-paced, high-octane beginning to the season, moving quickly past the initial introductions.
The Men of Season 22: Casting Details
ABC has announced a list of 26 potential bachelors who will be competing for Taylor Frankie Paul's final rose. The casting is expected to be diverse, featuring men who are prepared to handle the complexity of dating a single mother with a public past. Early names released for the potential cast include:
- Aaron Kahng
- Brad Ledford
- Brandon Perce
- Casey Hux
- Christopher (Last Name TBD)
- Dave (Last Name TBD)
- Kevin (Last Name TBD)
The suitors will have to contend not only with each other but also with Paul's reality: she has three children and a very public life. The focus will be on which men are truly ready to step into a ready-made family and embrace the unconventional journey of the most talked-about Bachelorette in franchise history. The mix of traditional reality TV contestants and men potentially drawn in by her influencer status is poised to create an unprecedented level of drama.
The choice of Taylor Frankie Paul for The Bachelorette Season 22 is a gamble that the franchise is fully committing to. By embracing her controversial past, her polyamorous history, and the viral nature of the "MomTok" scandal, ABC is signaling a new era for the show. Viewers should prepare for a season that challenges every traditional notion of the Bachelorette journey, premiering in March 2026. This is not just a quest for love; it's a social experiment on a global stage, and the world is watching to see if Taylor Frankie Paul can truly find her happily ever after.
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