‘Mormon Wives’ Star Taylor Frankie Paul Joined The Bachelorette to Break Free of a Toxic Relationship
Taylor Frankie Paul says she joined The Bachelorette to get away from a cycle of toxicity at home and to focus on herself and dating. The 31-year-old reality star — who has more than 7 million followers across social platforms — spoke in her first interview since production wrapped about why she took the lead on season 22.
Why Paul Says She Took The Bachelorette Role
Paul framed the opportunity as a personal reset rather than a bid for clout or a quick engagement. She said there was no other reason for her to do the show other than wanting to “get outside of Utah and the toxicity that I’m in and venture off and really do something for myself. ” She added that the chance to focus on dating and herself as a single mom was “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “
She acknowledged that viewers will question her motives but dismissed that scrutiny, saying, “I don’t really care… I didn’t have to do this. ” Paul also described her season as less structured than usual, calling it “fun, unexpected” and “very unpredictable. “
Background: Social Reach, Personal History and Public Scrutiny
Paul rose to national attention after a 2022 divorce from her ex-husband Tate Paul, who is the father of her daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5. In 2023 she faced legal trouble tied to an altercation with then-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen; the incident led to an arrest on assault and other charges. Her youngest son, Ever, 2, is Mortensen’s child.
Her ensemble show, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, vaulted Paul further into the spotlight: the program was the most-watched premiere on the streaming service this year and outperformed even a major reality franchise. The trailer for that series shows Paul and Mortensen together in the weeks before she left to film the dating series, a detail she says reflects the cycle she was trying to break.
Timing, Stakes and What Viewers Can Expect
Mormon Wives returns March 12, and Paul’s run as the lead on season 22 of The Bachelorette begins March 22 at 8: 00 pm ET on ABC. The casting marks a franchise first: she was not chosen from a prior season of the companion show, a twist producers hope will draw new viewers and re-engage lapsed fans.
Paul has said she addressed questions about her status with Mortensen, her past relationships and what fans can expect when she hands out roses. Beyond pledging candor and unpredictability, she framed the season as a personal bet on herself and a chance to break long-standing patterns.
The series will test whether audiences respond to a lead whose backstory diverges from past choices and whose motivations are explicitly framed as personal renewal rather than traditional franchise trajectories. Viewers will see the results beginning with the March 22 premiere.
