Taylor Frankie Paul, star of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, has been announced as the lead for the next season of The Bachelorette, a role typically reserved for non-famous civilians. The news, revealed on Wednesday's episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast, has divided fans of the ABC show.
Paul has faced controversy in the past, including a viral video about 'soft swinging' among her Mormon influencer friends that led to her divorce from Tate Paul. In 2023, she pleaded guilty to aggravated assault stemming from an incident with her then-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, reaching a plea deal.
Fans took to social media to voice mixed reactions. One wrote on X: 'I have to say I’m not a fan of Taylor Frankie Paul being the next Bachelorette. ABC is wild for that. She is toxic and so is her family.' Another countered: 'Having Taylor Frankie Paul from Secret Lives of Mormon Wives as the next Bachelorette is quite possibly one of the smartest moves in the reality television space that I’ve seen in years!'
Speaking on the podcast, Paul described the casting as 'surreal' and admitted she is 'nervous'. She said she had joked about starring on the show on TikTok but never saw it as 'attainable'. The mother of three also confirmed she will continue appearing on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.
Paul's casting follows the announcement that her co-stars Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt will appear on Dancing with the Stars. Paul said their involvement helped her decide to take on the role, despite concerns about co-parenting and travel. 'I can make it work realistically,' she said. 'I will make it work... I can ask for help more.'
The Bachelorette follows one woman dating a group of men, with eliminations each week leading to a final proposal. The new season will debut on ABC and Hulu in 2026.
