The Bachelorette 2025: Why ABC Skipped A Season And The Shocking New Premiere Date Revealed

The question of "When does The Bachelorette start 2025?" has a surprising and definitive answer: it doesn't. As of today, December 18, 2025, ABC has officially confirmed a significant, unprecedented shake-up in the Bachelor Nation schedule, choosing to skip the traditional summer 2025 season entirely. This unexpected pause means fans will have to wait longer than ever for the next journey to find love, with the highly-anticipated Season 22 now slated for a 2026 premiere.

The network's decision to halt the usual production cycle for a full year has fueled intense speculation across Bachelor Nation. However, the biggest news is the identity of the next lead: viral TikTok sensation and reality star Taylor Frankie Paul. Her casting, combined with the delayed air date, sets the stage for what is already being called the most controversial and talked-about season in the franchise's history, promising a dramatic and fresh twist when it finally hits screens.

The Bachelorette Season 22: Taylor Frankie Paul's Complete Biography and Controversies

The announcement of Taylor Frankie Paul as the next Bachelorette has sent shockwaves through the reality TV community. She is a massive departure from the typical contestant-turned-lead, bringing a pre-existing level of fame and a history of public controversy that is unprecedented for the role. This move signals a clear intention by ABC to inject new energy and high-stakes drama into the franchise.

• The Enduring Legacy Of Haylor 5 Shocking Facts About Harry Styles And Taylor Swifts Relationship 10 Years Later Sf662

• Full Name: Taylor Frankie Paul
• Date of Birth: May 23, 1994
• Age (as of 2025): 31
• Hometown/Base: Utah
• Occupation: Viral TikTok Influencer, Reality Television Star
• Rise to Fame: Paul gained significant popularity on TikTok, specifically within the "MomTok" community, sharing content about her life, marriage, and motherhood.
• Reality TV History: She is a prominent cast member on the Hulu series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which documents the lives of women navigating modern life while adhering to or breaking away from Mormon cultural norms.
• Controversial History: In 2023, Paul was involved in a highly publicized domestic incident. She later pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated assault, stemming from an altercation with her then-boyfriend and the father of her third child, Dakota Mortensen. This legal history and the public nature of her relationship drama are key factors contributing to the intense pre-season buzz.
• Children: She is a mother to three children.
• Relationship Status Prior to Filming: She was recently single following the end of her relationship with Mortensen.

Paul's inclusion as the lead is a calculated risk for the network, leaning heavily into her existing fanbase and the intense media scrutiny that follows her. Her journey on The Bachelorette is expected to be a major ratings draw, given the public's curiosity about how her complex personal life and "unfiltered" persona will translate to the traditional format of the show. She represents a new era of casting for the show, prioritizing social media celebrity over a traditional journey through the Bachelor Nation ecosystem.

The Official Premiere Date: When The Bachelorette Season 22 Actually Starts

For those eagerly searching for the "The Bachelorette 2025 start date," the definitive answer is a major delay. The next season, officially Season 22, will not begin until the following year.

The official premiere date for The Bachelorette Season 22 starring Taylor Frankie Paul is scheduled for:

• The One Where They Tanked Jokes 15 Shocking New Secrets From The Friends Tv Show Behind The Scenes G9zdh

Sunday, March 22, 2026

This date is a significant departure from the show's long-standing summer slot. Historically, The Bachelorette has premiered in late May or early June, running throughout the summer months. Moving the show to a mid-season Sunday slot in the spring of 2026 is an unprecedented move that reflects ABC's broader scheduling strategy and the unique nature of this particular season.

The filming schedule, which began in the fall of 2025, has allowed the production team to take advantage of unique locations, including a major portion of the season being shot in Paul's home state of Utah. This regional focus is another way the network is attempting to differentiate this season from its predecessors.

• The Chilling True Story 5 Key Facts About Richard Evonitz The Serial Killer Who Kidnapped Kara Robinson Chamberlain Xpjje

Why ABC Skipped The Bachelorette's 2025 Summer Season

The biggest lingering question in Bachelor Nation is why ABC chose to skip the entire summer 2025 season, a move that left a massive gap in its reality programming lineup. While the network did not provide a single, official reason for the pause, several strong theories and insider reports point to a combination of scheduling fatigue and performance concerns.

1. Franchise Over-Saturation and Viewer Fatigue

One of the most compelling theories suggests that the franchise's intense, year-round schedule finally caught up with it. For years, ABC aired The Bachelor in the winter, The Bachelorette in the summer, and Bachelor in Paradise in the fall. This continuous cycle meant that the franchise was on the air for nearly 40 weeks of the year.

Insiders suggest that the network felt the audience needed a "break" to build anticipation and excitement for the next season. By pausing The Bachelorette, they are allowing the audience's appetite for the core show to regenerate, ensuring a stronger viewership when Taylor Frankie Paul's season finally premieres in 2026.

2. Low Ratings from a Previous Season

Another theory, supported by comments from franchise alums like Rachel Recchia, Ashley Iaconetti, and Trista Sutter, links the pause to the performance of a recent *Bachelor* season. Specifically, the ratings for Grant's season of *The Bachelor* were reportedly lower than expected, especially when compared to other recent seasons. The decision to skip a season may have been a strategic move to reset the franchise's trajectory and avoid a further decline in viewership, rather than simply moving forward with a back-to-back schedule.

3. The 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' Synergy

The timing of the skip and the subsequent casting of Taylor Frankie Paul, a star from the Hulu reality series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, suggests a possible corporate synergy play. Both Hulu and ABC are owned by Disney. By casting a star from a successful streaming show, ABC gains a built-in, highly engaged audience that might not typically tune into traditional network reality TV. The delay allowed the network to finalize this unprecedented casting choice and integrate the promotional strategy across both platforms, maximizing the cross-promotion potential between the two Disney-owned entities.

What to Expect from Taylor Frankie Paul's Season (2026)

Despite the long wait until March 2026, details about Season 22 are already leaking, promising a truly unique experience. The season is being produced with a clear focus on Paul's life and unique background.

• The Host: While not officially confirmed, Jesse Palmer is the expected host for Season 22, continuing his role from previous seasons of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette.
• The Cast of Suitors: ABC has already released the initial list of men vying for Taylor Frankie Paul's heart. The cast is rumored to be diverse in background, with a strong emphasis on men who are comfortable with her public profile and complex family dynamics.
• Filming Locations: The season began filming in the fall of 2025, with a significant portion of the early dates taking place in and around Salt Lake City, Utah. This focus on her home state is a major departure from the typical California-based start. International travel destinations are still under wraps but are expected to feature as the season progresses.
• The Narrative: The central theme is expected to revolve around Paul's quest for a partner who can handle her fame, her history, and her role as a mother. This narrative is a stark contrast to the typical "finding my person" storyline, offering a more mature and complicated look at modern dating in the spotlight.

The anticipation for this season is enormous, precisely because of the delay and the controversial lead. The long pause until the March 22, 2026, premiere date has transformed the question of "when does The Bachelorette start 2025" into a countdown for a major television event. Fans are already predicting high drama, unexpected twists, and a season that will redefine the standards of the entire Bachelor Nation franchise.