The Shocking Truth About The Next Bachelorette: 5 Major Controversies And What To Expect From Taylor Frankie Paul’s Season 22

In a move that has shattered decades of franchise tradition, the identity of the next Bachelorette has been officially confirmed, and it is a name no one saw coming. For the first time ever, the lead is not a contestant from the previous season of *The Bachelor* but a highly controversial reality star and TikTok influencer: Taylor Frankie Paul. This unprecedented casting choice signals a dramatic shift for the entire franchise, promising a Season 22 in 2026 that is guaranteed to be the most talked-about and explosive in history.

The announcement, which came in late 2025, has sent shockwaves through Bachelor Nation. Taylor Frankie Paul, best known for her role on the Hulu series *The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives* and her tumultuous history as a #MomTok star, is set to hand out the roses. With a premiere date set for Sunday, March 22, 2026, this season is already breaking the mold—from its lead's scandalous past to a major schedule change. Fans should brace themselves for a wild ride that promises more drama and less tradition than any season before it.

Taylor Frankie Paul: Full Biography and Profile

Taylor Frankie Paul is an American reality television personality, social media influencer, and single mother who rose to viral fame on TikTok before transitioning to mainstream reality TV. Her selection as the next Bachelorette is a landmark moment, as the franchise has historically chosen leads who are relatively uncontroversial and fresh off a recent *Bachelor* season.

• Full Name: Taylor Frankie Paul
• Age: 31 (as of the announcement)
• Primary Occupation: Reality TV Personality, Social Media Influencer (TikTok/Instagram)
• Known For: Star of the Hulu reality series *The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives* (SLOMW); viral #MomTok content.
• Hometown: Utah, USA
• Family Status: Single mother (Divorced from Tate Paul).
• Education: Information not widely publicized; focus is on her social media and reality career.
• Estimated Net Worth: Varies, generally reported around $400,000, with projections reaching up to $3 million by 2026 due to reality TV contracts and brand deals.
• Bachelorette Season: Season 22, scheduled to premiere March 22, 2026.

Paul's public life has been anything but private, making her a figure of intense scrutiny and fascination. Her career is built on sharing the unfiltered, often chaotic, details of her life, which is precisely why her casting is seen as a bold, high-risk, high-reward gamble by ABC and the producers of *The Bachelorette*.

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The Controversial Past: 5 Scandals That Define the New Bachelorette

The decision to cast Taylor Frankie Paul is a clear indication that the franchise is pivoting toward a more dramatic, headline-driven approach. Paul’s history is laden with public controversies that will undoubtedly be a central talking point of Season 22. This is what sets her apart from any previous lead and gives her a unique, albeit controversial, topical authority.

1. The Viral "Soft-Swinging" Scandal

Paul first became a major national headline in 2022 when she publicly disclosed details of a "soft-swinging" arrangement within her close-knit friend group in Utah. The scandal became a viral sensation across TikTok and other social media platforms, leading to her public divorce from her then-husband, Tate Paul. This event established her as a figure willing to push social boundaries and discuss non-traditional relationships openly, which is a major departure from the show's traditional conservative dating model.

2. Domestic Violence and Child Endangerment Charges

Perhaps the most serious of her controversies, Paul was arrested in February 2023 on charges of domestic violence, aggravated assault, and child endangerment. The charges stemmed from a drunken altercation with her then-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, during which she was accused of throwing household items, including chairs, and allegedly throwing a chair at her child. While the case details are complex, the public nature of the arrest and the severity of the charges have made her one of the most polarizing figures ever to lead the franchise.

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3. The "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" Drama

Paul's role on the Hulu reality series *The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives* capitalized on her viral fame and provided a deeper look into her life post-scandal. The show focused on the lives of Mormon social media influencers navigating their faith, relationships, and public images. Her participation cemented her status as a reality TV star, not just a social media personality, making her a more plausible, yet still unconventional, choice for ABC.

4. Volatile Relationships and Public Breakups

Beyond her divorce from Tate Paul, Taylor's subsequent relationships have been highly public and volatile. Her relationship with Dakota Mortensen, which led to the 2023 arrest, and other rumored hookups have been extensively documented by the media and on social media. Her journey has been marked by accusations of cheating, weaponizing sex, and general relationship chaos, which provides a dramatic backdrop for a show centered on finding lasting love.

5. The Unprecedented Casting Choice

The biggest controversy in the context of Bachelor Nation is the casting itself. By choosing a non-alumna, the show has broken an unwritten rule. This decision bypasses fan-favorite contestants from recent *Bachelor* seasons who were considered frontrunners, such as Juliana Pasquarosa (from Grant Ellis's Season 29). This move has alienated some purists while thrilling those who crave a fresh, unpredictable, and potentially messy new direction for the dating show.

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What to Expect from The Bachelorette Season 22: Filming and Twists

With Taylor Frankie Paul at the helm, Season 22 is poised to be a chaotic spectacle, and early spoilers and production details suggest the show is embracing the drama. The show is currently in production, and a few key details have already emerged, feeding the intense curiosity surrounding this new era of the franchise.

A Major Schedule Change and New Vibe

In another break from tradition, *The Bachelorette* Season 22 will premiere on a Sunday, March 22, 2026. The show has historically aired on Monday nights. This Sunday slot is a significant scheduling change, suggesting ABC is positioning the new season as a major, high-profile event that can dominate the weekend conversation. The overall vibe is expected to be more mature, less fairytale, and more focused on the complexities of modern dating as a single mother with a complicated past.

The Contestants and Early Spoilers

ABC has released a first look at Taylor Frankie Paul's potential suitors, and the cast is rumored to be as diverse and dramatic as the lead herself. There are reportedly 26 men vying for her final rose. Early filming spoilers have already leaked, including reports of "Vegas Kissing Dates," indicating a fast-paced, high-stakes season with plenty of public-facing drama. The show is expected to lean into Taylor's reputation, featuring more candid conversations about co-parenting, social media fame, and navigating a non-traditional path to love.

The season will be a litmus test for the future of Bachelor Nation. Will the audience embrace a lead with a pre-existing, controversial public persona, or will they reject the franchise's move away from its established narrative? Regardless of the outcome, Taylor Frankie Paul’s Season 22 of *The Bachelorette* is guaranteed to be a must-watch television event, generating massive topical authority and discussion across all social media platforms.