‘Bachelorette’ Surprise: ‘Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Star Taylor Frankie Paul to Lead Season 22

“The Bachelorette” is switching things up. Instead of a past “Bachelor” contestant, Season 22 will be led by “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Taylor Frankie Paul.

The news was announced on Wednesday via Alex Cooper’s “Call Her Daddy” podcast. This is the first time ABC has chosen not to announce on one of their own platforms — ie, a late-night show or “Good Morning America” — but instead on Cooper’s podcast.

Paul, 31, is best known for her role on the breakout Hulu hit and has a large TikTok following. Per ABC’s release, “as a single mother of three, Paul shares the highs and lows of her life with unfiltered candor. With humor, resilience and a fearless openness, she inspires others to embrace life’s chaos and own their story.”

After Season 2 debuted in May, Paul told Variety that she was open to leading the ABC series as long as it didn’t come between “Mormon Wives.” She also shared that she’s “very scared” to date after being in the public eye.

“I can’t really even picture it happening for me. I don’t know people’s intentions, or if they’re just wanting to date to get on the show. And so you have to question people’s intentions,” she said. “I also have three kids, so who wants to come in and take over that role? But I do have a very good intuition, I will say. Like I can tell when something’s right and when it’s not. Clearly, that’s why I’m not with my baby daddy.”

During Paul’s interview on “Call Her Daddy,” she shared that she thought the goal of being on the dating show was “unattainable.” Then, when she got the offer, she wasn’t sure she could do it due to her situation at home. “I have two baby daddies, not one,” she said, adding that she asked herself, “Is this possible for me to do as a single mom? Can I make it work, realistically, no matter how much I want this? I can. If I want to, I can. You can do anything you want, if you want.”

“The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” returns with Season 3 on Nov. 13, and the new season of “The Bachelorette” will debut in 2026.

The announcement was originally believed to be for the lead of Season 30 of “The Bachelor,” due to timing. In the past, a season of “The Bachelorette” aired in the spring or summer, followed by “Bachelor in Paradise,” then “The Bachelor” in January.

However, things have changed over the last few years. Jenn Tran’s season of “The Bachelorette” aired in 2024, followed by the first season of “The Golden Bachelorette.” In January 2025, Grant Ellis’ season of “The Bachelor” aired and afterward, ABC skipped a season of “The Bachelorette.” Meanwhile, “Paradise” aired over the summer and Season 2 of “The Golden Bachelor” is set for the fall.

“The Bachelorette” is produced by Warner Horizon Unscripted Television, a Warner Bros. Television Group company, and Scott Teti is executive producer.