Taylor Frankie Paul is a social media influencer and reality TV personality best known as the breakout star of the Hulu series “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” and she is now stepping into the spotlight as the lead of “The Bachelorette” season 22. The Utah-based creator built a large following through TikTok’s #MomTok community before her personal life became a national headline and eventually the center of a reality TV storyline. With a new season of “The Bachelorette” set to premiere on March 22, Paul is bringing her unique backstory into the dating show world. Here’s what you need to know.
1. Taylor Frankie Paul Is the First ‘Bachelorette’ Lead From Outside the Franchise
Paul is making history with her casting.
Paul is the first lead of “The Bachelorette” who did not previously appear on “The Bachelor” franchise. Instead, she rose to fame through the Hulu series “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” which follows a group of Mormon mom influencers navigating friendships, relationships, and life in Utah.
Her casting marks a notable shift for the franchise, which has traditionally selected its leads from previous seasons of “The Bachelor” or “The Bachelorette.”
Paul told People that accepting the opportunity felt like the right decision.
“It was like the best thing I could have done,” she said. “I think it was like the best thing and something I’ve never done before, so I have no regrets.”
2. She Rose to Fame Through MomTok and Reality TV
Before reality television, Paul was already well known on social media.
She became one of the most recognizable members of #MomTok, a corner of TikTok where Mormon mothers shared lifestyle content, dancing videos, and parenting moments. The group’s popularity eventually helped launch “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.”
Paul’s personal life became a major storyline after she publicly discussed a controversial “soft-swinging” arrangement within her social circle in 2022, according to her official Hulu bio.
Since then, Paul has remained one of the show’s central figures.
3. Taylor Frankie Paul Is a Mother of Three
Paul shares daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5, with her ex-husband Tate Paul. She also has a 1-year-old son, Ever, with her former boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen.
Paul explained that one of her biggest concerns before agreeing to star on “The Bachelorette” involved her children.
“That was the biggest question I had going into it,” she told People.
Despite the filming schedule, she said joining the show was still an easy decision.
“It was like almost an immediate yes,” she added.
4. ‘The Bachelorette’ Offered Her a Chance for a Fresh Start
Paul said filming “The Bachelorette” gave her the opportunity to step outside her everyday life in Utah.
During a press preview event in New York City, she explained that the experience helped her move past a difficult chapter.
She wanted to leave behind what she described as the “toxicity of a life in Utah and bubble.”
The filming process also allowed her to meet a wide range of potential partners.
Paul said she enjoyed “meeting so many” men with “different personalities” while exploring new relationships on the show.
5. Taylor Frankie Paul’s Recent Relationship Drama Led to Her ‘Bachelorette’ Journey
Paul’s personal life leading up to the show has also been documented on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.”
Her on-again, off-again relationship with Mortensen became a major storyline on the series. The two share a young son together.
Season 3 revealed that Mortensen had been involved in a secret relationship with a friend of her mom, which created another dramatic turning point.
“The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” seasons 1-4 are available to stream on Hulu.
Season 22 of “The Bachelorette” premieres Sunday, March 22, on ABC.
