The buzz around The Bachelorette Season 22 is electric, with fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter of this iconic reality dating show. With a fresh face leading the charge and a shake-up in the usual formula, this season promises drama, romance, and a few surprises. Here’s a deep dive into everything known so far about The Bachelorette Season 22, from release date speculation to cast details and more.
Meet the New Bachelorette: Taylor Frankie Paul’s Big Moment
For the first time ever, The Bachelorette is shaking things up by picking someone outside the usual Bachelor Nation crew. Taylor Frankie Paul, the star of Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, is the one handing out roses this time. If you’ve seen her on TikTok, you know she’s got a huge following and a knack for keeping it real. She’s a single mom to three kids—Indy (8), Ocean (5), and Ever (2)—and hasn’t shied away from sharing her wild journey, from a messy divorce to that “soft swinging” drama with her ex, Dakota Mortensen.
Taylor spilled the tea about her casting on Call Her Daddy with Alex Cooper on September 10, 2025. Apparently, a silly TikTok she made, riffing on a Lindsay Lohan clip as a fake audition, caught ABC’s eye. “I still can’t believe this is happening,” she told Alex, laughing about how surreal it feels. Fans are already hyped about her bold personality bringing a new flavor to the show. No recycled Bachelor alums here—this is Taylor’s chance to shine.
When’s It Hitting Screens?
ABC hasn’t dropped an exact premiere date yet, but the word on the street is early 2026, probably around winter. Normally, The Bachelorette is a summer thing, following The Bachelor’s winter-to-spring run. But Season 22 is flipping the script, taking over the early 2026 slot usually reserved for The Bachelor, per Deadline. Why the change? Well, 2025 saw The Bachelorette take a break, with Bachelor in Paradise and The Golden Bachelor filling the airwaves instead.
Taylor herself hinted at why a winter drop makes sense. In a PEOPLE chat in February 2025, she mentioned summer airings can get lost when folks are off traveling. A cozy winter premiere might just pull in more viewers. You’ll catch it on ABC, with episodes hitting Hulu the next day for streaming. Get ready for some binge-worthy nights!
Who’s in the Cast? The Guys After Taylor’s Heart
The lineup of guys competing for Taylor’s affection is still under wraps, which has fans buzzing with curiosity. Since she’s not a Bachelor Nation vet, the casting could go in any direction. Will there be some familiar faces from past seasons, or a totally fresh group picked just for her? On Us Weekly, Taylor said she’s stoked to meet people outside her usual circle, hinting at a diverse mix of dudes with different stories.
What’s she looking for? Taylor’s all about realness—someone funny, honest, and ready to roll with her life as a mom co-parenting with two exes, Tate Paul and Dakota Mortensen. “I need someone who shows up and owns their stuff,” she said on Call Her Daddy. But cross her with lies or no accountability, and it’s a one-way ticket out the door. Some fans are even wondering if her Mormon Wives pals, like Jen Affleck or Whitney Leavitt, might pop up for a cameo, especially since they’re already crossing over to Dancing with the Stars Season 34. The Disney reality world loves a good crossover!
Who’s Running the Show? Host and Production Scoop
Jesse Palmer’s been the go-to host since 2021, and while nothing’s confirmed, odds are he’ll be back guiding Taylor through the rose ceremonies. That said, Taylor’s Call Her Daddy drop had some fans wondering if Alex Cooper might step in as a host or at least show up for a fun cameo. ABC’s keeping quiet on that front, so it’s all speculation for now.
As for where it’s all going down, filming locations are still a mystery. Taylor mentioned on Call Her Daddy that leaving Utah for too long is tricky with her co-parenting setup. Past seasons have used the Bachelor Mansion in California, but Season 21 switched to Hummingbird Nest Ranch, so who knows where they’ll land this time? Wherever it is, expect gorgeous spots for those swoony dates and tense eliminations.
Behind the scenes, things have been a bit rocky. Deadline reported in February 2025 that ABC hit pause on The Bachelorette after talk of a “toxic” set environment with showrunners Claire Freeland and Bennett Graebner. But with Season 22 greenlit and Taylor on board, it seems like the team’s working to bring back the magic.
Why This Season’s Got a Different Energy
Taylor’s not your typical Bachelorette, and that’s what makes this season so exciting. As a TikTok star and reality TV standout, she’s got a ready-made fanbase and a raw, honest vibe that’s hard to fake. Her life—divorce, kids, and all—feels relatable, unlike the polished stories of some past leads. This could be a game-changer for the show, mixing real-world messiness with the romance we all tune in for.
The winter airdate adds a new twist, too. Instead of sunny beach dates, picture cozy, heartfelt moments that fit the colder months. And with Taylor’s MomTok fame, social media’s gonna be lit with reactions, memes, and maybe even some viral dance challenges inspired by her journey.
