Taylor Frankie Paul is The New Bachelorette – Mom of 3 and Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Star Takes the Lead

In a surprising franchise twist, ABC has selected Taylor Frankie Paul, star of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, as the next leading lady for The Bachelorette Season 22. The official announcement was made during the September 10, 2025 episode of Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy podcast.

Rumors began swirling a day before the reveal when Cooper shared a cryptic Instagram reel. In the video, she sliced into a cake labeled Season 30 in blue icing, revealing pink frosting inside. The caption read “Change of plans” with a red rose emoji, prompting speculation that the next Bachelorette would be someone new and unexpected. The following day, the podcast confirmed that the new lead would not be a returning contestant from Bachelor Nation but rather Taylor Frankie Paul.

Taylor brings a completely fresh perspective to the franchise. Unlike previous leads, she did not come from The Bachelor or other spinoffs. Instead, she gained widespread recognition through her appearance on Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which premiered in 2024. On social media, particularly TikTok, she has built a loyal following by sharing honest and often humorous insights into her life as a single mother of three. Her authenticity and willingness to be vulnerable have resonated with many fans.

Her personal life has been in the spotlight recently. In May 2025, Taylor revealed that she had ended her relationship with Dakota Mortensen after discovering he had been unfaithful. The breakup came shortly after the birth of their child, Ever. She also shares two other children, Indy and Ocean, with her ex-husband Tate Paul. Despite these challenges, Taylor has emphasized that her focus remains on her children and her personal growth.

ABC’s decision to cast Taylor represents a bold shift for the franchise. Rather than selecting someone from within Bachelor Nation, the producers have chosen to bring in a reality star with her own established identity and audience. This move seems to reflect a desire to inject new energy into the series by highlighting real-life stories and more relatable experiences.

Fans will not have to wait long to see more of Taylor outside The Bachelorette. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is set to return for its third season on November 13, 2025. Meanwhile, The Bachelorette Season 22, with Taylor Frankie Paul at the center, is scheduled to premiere in January 2026.

Taylor’s selection signals a new direction for the series. Her story is not only unique but also deeply human. As the newest Bachelorette, she offers viewers a journey defined by honesty, resilience, and the hope of finding love after loss.

Taylor Frankie Paul’s Kids

• Indy May Paul — born on August 31, 2017, with her ex-husband Tate Paul . Taylor’s heartfelt Instagram announcement read: “Indy May Paul officially arrived Aug 31st … She is perfection…” 

• Ocean Paul — her son with Tate Paul, born on June 18, 2020. Taylor affectionately described him as “a sweet soul” in her social posts.

• Ever True Mortensen — her son with ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, born on March 19, 2024. She shared, “Ever True was born March 19th … thank you for blending our family”

Relationship 1: Tate Paul (2016–2022)

• Timeline & Children: Taylor married Tate in 2016. They welcomed Indy in 2017 and Ocean in 2020.

• Why It Ended: In May 2022, Taylor revealed they were getting a divorce live on TikTok. The split followed a “soft‑swinging” scandal—a controversial intimate arrangement involving friends—that Taylor exposed, which thrust her into the public eye and destabilized their marriage.

• Post-Divorce: Despite the painful end, Taylor and Tate appear to co-parent amicably. They often share updates about attending soccer games together and maintaining regular communication.

Relationship 2: Dakota Mortensen (circa 2022–2024)

• Meeting & Timeline: After her divorce, Taylor began a relationship with Dakota Mortensen, a real‑estate agent and recovering addict, whom she connected with via Instagram.

• Relationship Challenges: Their dynamic was tumultuous: they faced trust issues, therapy, revelations of cheating, and a deeply personal pain in the form of an ectopic pregnancy, followed later by a miscarriage.

• Birth of Ever True & Split: Their son Ever True was born on March 19, 2024. However, the relationship continued to fluctuate—Taylor and Dakota officially broke up in December 2024. Since then, they’ve maintained a co-parenting relationship, attending birthday celebrations together