2025 Shift for The Bachelorette: What You Need to Know

Taylor Frankie Paul’s recent casting as the next Bachelorette on September 10, 2025, has stirred up a national debate. Known for her role in Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, she has a massive audience reach of over 7 million followers. The timing of this announcement is significant as Hulu’s Season 3 is set to release in November 2025, creating scheduling challenges.

The choice to cast Taylor Frankie Paul, who has been involved in a “soft-swinging” controversy, raises questions about the direction of the franchise. With conversations about non-monogamy becoming more mainstream, viewers will be watching closely to see how the show navigates this sensitive topic. This casting decision comes at a time when networks are vying for streaming audiences, and controversy often drives views, which could impact the show’s ratings strategy.

The reaction to Paul’s casting has been mixed, with some praising the representation while others criticize the normalization of taboo behavior. As reality TV casting trends shift towards influencers with large followings and built-in controversies, Paul’s cross-platform audience from MomTok and Hulu makes her a strategic choice. The numbers show that this casting decision could lead to an increase in viewership in the first week, but also a potentially polarizing fan conversation.

Fans of the show can expect a lively debate about the direction of the franchise and how much personal history audiences are willing to overlook. This casting could signal a shift towards more messy, real-life portrayals on romantic TV, raising questions about exploitation versus redemption. It remains to be seen how the show will handle this moment and whether viewers will tune in to find out.