Taylor Frankie Paul: Changing the Reality TV Game
Taylor Frankie Paul is rapidly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the reality television landscape. For over two decades, The Bachelorette has presented a carefully curated fairytale, built on the premise that contestants are genuinely seeking love. But this season, producers have chosen a lead who challenges that very notion – and she’s perfectly fine with it.
Paul, 31, boasts over 7 million followers across her social media platforms. Her life took a dramatic turn in 2022 when her divorce from ex-husband Tate Paul (father of Indy, 8, and Ocean, 5) became public amidst a viral “soft-swinging” scandal within her Utah-based Mormon community. This catapulted MomTok – the community of Utah content creators – into the national spotlight. The following year brought further challenges, including an arrest for assault stemming from a dispute with then-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.
Adding another layer of complexity, the teaser for the fourth season of her ensemble reality show, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, reveals Paul in a compromising situation with Mortensen – the father of her youngest son, Ever, 2 – just weeks before embarking on her journey to find love on The Bachelorette.
Why ‘The Bachelorette’ for Taylor Frankie Paul?
Understandably, viewers might question Paul’s motivations for joining a show centered around finding a partner. However, Paul is unfazed. “I don’t really care,” she stated in her first interview following production. “I didn’t have to do this… There was no other reason for me to do this other than I wanted to get outside of Utah and the toxicity that I’m in and venture off and really do something for myself.”
For the mother of three, this wasn’t about fame, followers, or even an engagement. It was about breaking free from a cyclical relationship with Mortensen and prioritizing her own well-being. “Who gets this opportunity as a single mom to just purely focus on dating and love and yourself? It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she explains. “That is why I was there. And anyone that doesn’t want to believe that, that’s their own issue.”
A Rising Star in Reality TV
2022 brought Paul into the public eye, 2024 established her as a reality TV star – with The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives becoming Hulu’s most-watched premiere of the year, surpassing even The Kardashians – and 2024 is poised to make her unavoidable. Mormon Wives returns on March 12, followed by the premiere of her season as the 22nd Bachelorette on March 22 (ABC, 8 p.m.).
This marks a historic moment for the franchise, as Paul is the first lead not selected from a previous season of The Bachelor – a move that could attract new viewers and win back those who have drifted away. While drama is anticipated, many are tuning in to support a woman who is refreshingly honest, endearingly flawed, and redefining the role of the Bachelorette.
“Usually there’s structure to it,” Paul teases about her unconventional season. “We had no rules. It was fun. Unexpected, on my end and their end. It was very unpredictable.”
Addressing the Questions
In a candid conversation, Paul addresses the questions on everyone’s minds: her relationship with Mortensen, her past, and what viewers can expect as she hands out roses.
On Her Relationship with Dakota Mortensen
“Honestly, I think it was just still in the same cycle that I’ve been in for a while now, and it’s been really hard to get out… It’s been so hard to remove myself from that.”
Pregnancy Speculation
When asked about the possibility of being pregnant, Paul responded with a playful, “Do I look pregnant? Just look at me and make your observation there. That’s all I’ve got to say.”
Reassuring the Men
“It was a choice. Ready, at the end of the day, is a decision. So I made the decision to leave for two months and try. I reassured them that was why I was here.”
Addressing Doubts About Her Intentions
“That’s completely valid to think that and to see that. It took me making those decisions [with Dakota] to be ready for something else. A lot of these decisions aren’t the best, but I think I’m so open with it and honest, and even as many times as I backtracked, I still am open. Something I’ve [also] learned over the course of time is being OK being misunderstood.”
Facing the Past
“It’s freeing. Even though it sucks sometimes and you don’t look the best, you feel a little bit more trapped unless you just tell on yourself.”
The Men’s Reactions
Paul revealed that the men were generally receptive and non-judgmental, even when asking about her past controversies, including the “soft-swinging” scandal and her arrest. “I’ve got nothing else to hide.”
Defining a Toxic Relationship
“It was hard because I’m, obviously, a part of that — it’s not like I am pointing the finger like, “He is [the toxic one.]” It takes two to tango. We were just not progressing. We like each other sometimes, and then we fight. It’s really hard to explain to people and unless you’ve been in that situation, it is hard to understand.”
Her Biggest Misconception
“I am a very soft, gentle person. On Secret Lives, you get my chaotic, reactive, petty side, so there’s this persona of me. I think when people meet me, they’re usually like, “Oh my gosh, you’re a lot nicer than I thought you would be.” I’m a very chill, relaxed person if you’re hanging out with me. I am a lover girl through and through. That’s why I’m here: because as much as I feel pain that I felt with love, I am still here wanting to find it. I have hope for it.”
Taylor Frankie Paul’s journey is a testament to vulnerability, self-discovery, and the courage to redefine expectations. Her story is resonating with audiences, and her impact on reality television is undeniable.
