ABC has announced that the next season of The Bachelorette will take a different approach. Instead of choosing from the usual pool of past Bachelor contestants, it will spotlight Taylor Frankie Paul, a name already familiar to reality TV fans.

Paul, 31, is a single mother of three from Utah who first rose to prominence through “MomTok,” a collective of young mothers who gained viral attention for their TikTok videos. Her candid posts, often filled with humor and honesty, earned her a devoted following.

She later became the central figure of Hulu’s Emmy-nominated series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which explored the complexities of family, faith, and friendships among a group of Utah women. Paul’s openness about her struggles and personal choices made her one of the show’s breakout stars.

According to ABC’s announcement, Paul brings “comedic, heartwarming and bitingly honest content” into her storytelling. The network described her as someone who, “with humor, resilience, and fearless openness, inspires others to embrace life’s chaos and own their story.”

Paul’s journey hasn’t been without controversy. In 2022, she revealed that she and her then-husband had been involved in “soft swinging” within their social circle. The confession, coupled with her subsequent divorce, became a major storyline that launched The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.

Reflecting on that season of her life, Paul admitted, “I would have never opened my relationship and my marriage. I feel like that was a disaster waiting to happen. I think announcing it to the world, I wish that hadn’t had to happen as well, but also it got us where we are today.”

Her honesty about past mistakes, combined with her desire to move forward, has struck a chord with viewers. In many ways, her new role on The Bachelorette mirrors her ongoing journey of seeking love, stability, and a fresh start.

In addition to her fame on reality TV, Paul is a mother to three young children. Her life as a single parent has been a prominent part of her social media presence, where she shares both the highs and lows of parenting.

Her most recent relationship with Dakota Mortensen, which included a pregnancy and later a breakup, also played out in the public eye. These challenges, combined with her willingness to be vulnerable with her followers, have made Paul a polarizing but relatable figure.

Paul will begin her new chapter as The Bachelorette when the season premieres in 2026, giving viewers another glimpse into her pursuit of love and new beginnings. Meanwhile, season three of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is set to premiere on Hulu on November 13, 2025.