The internet has a funny way of manifesting things that aren't actually happening. If you’ve spent any time on TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen the whispers, the fan-made edits, and the frantic comment sections asking the same question: Is Taylor Frankie Paul going to be the next Bachelorette? It sounds like a reality TV fever dream. One of the most controversial figures in modern social media history joining the most "wholesome" dating franchise on ABC? It’s a wild thought.
But honestly, the reality is a lot more complicated than a simple casting call.
Taylor Frankie Paul didn't just stumble into fame; she blew the doors off the "Mormon Mom" aesthetic back in 2022. Since then, her name has been synonymous with "Soft Swinging," legal drama, and a very public redemption arc. Because of that chaotic energy, people naturally assume she’s headed for a major network television show. However, the connection between Taylor Frankie Paul and The Bachelorette is currently a mix of fan theories and some very strategic branding.
The Origins of the Bachelorette Taylor Frankie Paul Rumors
So, where did this actually start? It wasn't a press release from ABC.
The rumor mill churned into high gear after Taylor’s massive success with the Hulu reality series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. The show was a juggernaut. It dominated the cultural conversation for weeks. When a star becomes that big, the next logical step in the "reality star pipeline" is usually something like Dancing with the Stars or a high-profile dating show. Fans began tagging the official Bachelorette account, begging for Taylor to bring her brand of raw, unfiltered honesty to the mansion.
It makes sense. ABC likes ratings. Taylor brings ratings.
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But there’s a massive catch. Taylor isn't exactly "single" in the way the Bachelor franchise usually prefers. Her relationship with Dakota Mortensen has been a rollercoaster, to say the least. They've gone through breakups, a domestic violence arrest (which Taylor has been very open about), and the birth of their son, Ocean. While The Bachelorette has started to embrace leads with "baggage"—think Jenn Tran or Charity Lawson—Taylor’s history is a bit more... explosive than what Disney-owned ABC usually greenlights for their flagship dating show.
Why Taylor Paul Likely Won't Be The Bachelorette (And Why That's Okay)
Let's look at the logistics.
- The Hulu Contract: Taylor is a cornerstone of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Hulu and ABC are both under the Disney umbrella, but they serve different audiences. Hulu is for the gritty, "prestige" reality drama. ABC is for the broad-market, middle-America romance. Moving Taylor to The Bachelorette would feel like a step backward for her brand. She’s already the lead of her own ensemble show. Why would she go back to being a contestant or a lead on a show that’s heavily edited to fit a "fairytale" narrative?
- The Relationship Status: As of early 2026, Taylor and Dakota are very much a unit. You can't be the Bachelorette if you're raising a newborn with your partner. Unless, of course, they were to do a "couples" version, which isn't how the show works.
- The Brand Fit: Taylor is famous for being "messy." She talks about things the Bachelor franchise tries to hide: religious deconstruction, sexual fluidity, and the dark side of influencer culture. ABC usually wants their leads to be polished. Taylor is the antithesis of polished. She's real.
What Taylor Frankie Paul is Actually Doing Instead
Instead of handing out roses, Taylor has been leaning into her role as the "Villain who became the Hero" of the Utah influencer scene. Her focus has shifted toward her family and the continuation of her Hulu series. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has basically become the new Jersey Shore or Vanderpump Rules in terms of cultural impact.
If you're looking for Taylor Frankie Paul on your TV, you should be looking toward Season 2 and beyond of her current show. That’s where the real drama is. The producers know that the "Soft Swinging" scandal was just the tip of the iceberg. The real story now is about how these women—Taylor, Demi, Layla, and the rest—navigate life after the world judged them.
Dealing with the "Momtok" Aftermath
The fallout from Taylor's 2022 admission didn't just affect her; it shattered the entire "Momtok" community. Some women, like Camille Munday and Miranda McWhorter, distanced themselves completely. Others stayed. Taylor has had to navigate the loss of her marriage to Tate Paul while being the face of a national scandal.
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That kind of life experience makes for great TV, but it's not the "I'm here for the right reasons" kind of TV that The Bachelorette thrives on. Taylor's story is about survival and rebranding. She’s turned a PR nightmare into a multi-million dollar career. That’s a business move, not a romantic quest for a fiancé.
The Power of the Taylor Paul Brand in 2026
Taylor’s influence hasn't waned. If anything, she’s more relevant now than she was during the initial scandal. Why? Because she’s consistent. She posts the highs and the lows. When she got arrested in February 2023 following an incident where a chair was thrown, she didn't hide. She did her community service, she went to therapy, and she talked about it on her podcast.
That level of transparency is rare. It’s why her followers are so loyal.
People don’t want a scripted version of Taylor Paul. They want the woman who dances in her kitchen while talking about her mental health struggles. They want the woman who is honest about how hard it is to co-parent after a public divorce. If she were cast as The Bachelorette, that authenticity would likely be stripped away by the heavy-handed production the show is known for.
Reality TV's Shifting Landscape
We're seeing a shift in what people want from reality stars. The era of the "perfect" lead is over. We want people who have lived lives. While Taylor might not be the Bachelorette, she has paved the way for more "unconventional" leads in the future. She proved that you can have a "scandalous" past and still be the most liked person in the room—or at least the most watched.
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The fascination with Taylor Frankie Paul and The Bachelorette really stems from a desire to see her in a position of power. Being the Bachelorette means you’re the one making the choices. After years of being the one "in trouble" or the one being judged by the LDS community, fans want to see her win.
Moving Forward: How to Follow the Real Story
If you’re genuinely interested in the trajectory of Taylor Frankie Paul’s career, stop looking at ABC's casting announcements. The real moves are happening in the streaming world.
- Watch the Hulu Series: This is the primary source for her life. It’s where the "Momtok" drama is actually documented.
- Follow her TikTok: Taylor is a native creator. She often breaks her own news there before it hits the tabloids.
- Listen to her Guest Appearances: She frequently pops up on podcasts like The Viall Files (ironically, a Bachelor alum's show) where she gives much more detail than a 60-second clip allows.
Taylor Paul is a survivor of the "cancel culture" era. She was supposed to disappear after the swinging scandal. Instead, she became the face of a new generation of reality TV. She doesn't need to be the Bachelorette; she's already the Queen of her own corner of the internet.
The lesson here is simple: Don't believe every casting rumor you see on a "For You" page. Taylor Paul is busy building an empire that doesn't require a rose ceremony. She’s proving that you can fail publicly and still come out on top, provided you’re willing to be honest about the mess.
Actionable Takeaways for Following Celeb News
When rumors like "Taylor Frankie Paul is the Bachelorette" start circulating, here is how you can verify the truth without getting sucked into the clickbait:
- Check the Production Timeline: The Bachelorette usually films during specific windows (March-May). If a creator is posting daily content from their home in Utah during that time, they aren't on the show.
- Look at Contractual Obligations: Most reality stars are "locked" into their home networks. A Hulu star jumping to ABC for a full season is a legal nightmare that rarely happens unless the shows are directly related.
- Monitor the "Soft Launch": Celebs often hint at big projects. If Taylor were headed to a major network show, she would likely start "cleaning up" her content months in advance to satisfy corporate sponsors. She hasn't done that. She’s stayed exactly who she is.
The fascination with Taylor isn't going anywhere. Whether she’s in a mansion in California or a kitchen in Draper, Utah, people are going to watch. Just don't expect her to be looking for a husband on national TV anytime soon—she’s already got enough drama to keep us entertained for years.