Why Taylor Frankie Paul Is as Shocked as You Over Bachelorette Casting

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Taylor Frankie Paul is still waiting for the other petal to drop. 

Following the announcement that a former cast member from “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” would be the lead for season 22 of “ The Bachelorette“, she confessed that the revelation, which is an unusual selection considering past seasons typically select their star from “The Bachelor“, continues to seem “unreal” or “incredible.

She expressed to Alex Cooper on the September 10th episode of ‘Call Her Daddy’ that it hasn’t sunk in yet. She said it doesn’t feel real, and it won’t until she steps into the limo and meets the people.

The 31-year-old admitted, though, that she feels “nervous.”

“Like, how did I get here?” Taylor continued. “In my head, it’s like, ‘how is this happening?’”

It’s true that even Alex acknowledged that Bachelor Nation enthusiasts might find Taylor’s casting surprising. In fact, it was expected that a new season of The Bachelor would debut according to ABC’s usual release timetable.

Taylor, a mother to Indy (aged 8) and Ocean (5 years old), has had past posts about appearing on “The Bachelorette” on her social media. However, she clarified that these were just playful jokes and not actual participation in the show.

She said it seemed impossible at first. But then, rumors circulated about discussions, and they even had a meeting. She remained skeptical until she received an invitation that read something like, ‘Would you consider being our Bachelorette?’

In light of such a significant transformation, Taylor confessed she had some reservations about taking on the main acting role.

She expressed, “Is it feasible for me to achieve this goal as a single parent?” She questioned. “Will my aspirations align with the practicalities of life?” she also asked herself. But then she answered, “Absolutely! You can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

The surprising news that Taylor is starring on “The Bachelorette” emerges, making her the next notable figure in the series following Jenn Tran and Grant Ellis’ success. This announcement was preceded by Alex hinting at a significant change within the franchise on the platform of Call Her Daddy’s social media.

In a sneak peek for the episode airing on Sept. 9, Alex playfully asked, “How did you manage to get her to agree?” However, it’s interesting to note that she has never been associated with ‘The Bachelor’ before! This should certainly boost the ratings.

As an ardent admirer of Bachelor Nation, let me share that while Taylor’s unexpected rose-giving moments have caught everyone’s attention, she’s certainly not the first to do so! If you’re curious about how previous couples from this beloved series have fared, stick around for a rundown on their current status.

Status: Engaged

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but share my excitement about Spencer Conley’s recent success story. Just like Jenn Tran was captivated by his “golden retriever energy” on The Bachelorette, he truly hit the jackpot during the 10th season of Bachelor in Paradise.

If you recall, Jess Edwards made quite an impression when she showed interest in Joey Graziadei’s heart. Well, fast forward to August 2025, Spencer took to his Instagram Stories to announce that he and Jess are developing feelings for each other – a subtle hint in Bachelor lingo meaning I’m not quite ready to say, “I love you” yet. But based on his post, Spencer already considers himself the victor in this love game!

Jess, in her main post, expressed that she’s feeling a bit excited about this man and various other things.

When they decided to prioritize their relationship over a $250,000 prize, they got engaged and ended up receiving an unexpected check worth $190,000.

Jess later mentioned that all the experiences they’ve shared together have brought them to this very moment.

Soon, her love for Spencer will lead her to relocate to Dallas, as announced by the show.

Status: Dating

In August 2025, Bailey Taylor Brown expressed on Instagram that her first date with Jeremy Simon during Paradise’s 10th season was her best one, implying it might have been her last great date. As a contestant initially vying for Grant Ellis’ heart and a real estate investor who almost won over Bachelorette Jenn, they managed to endure their most intense argument ever when he hesitated about sending Susie Evans home.

Nonetheless, their bond grew stronger in Costa Rica. Although they were eliminated during the Bachelor in Paradise finale, they persisted in their relationship off-camera. Intriguingly, the show later disclosed that they had met each other’s families and intended to relocate to the same city.

Status: Dating

It appears that the bond between Andrew Spencer, one of Katie Thurston’s suitors from Paradise season 10, and Alexe Godin (from Grant’s season) has remained exceptionally strong post-show. Just six days after the Chicago-based football player affectionately referred to the pediatric speech therapist as “my love” in an August 2025 Instagram post, she reciprocated by addressing him as “my dear” in her own message.

Interestingly, although they opted for love over the $250,000 prize during the Bachelor in Paradise finale, they still managed to leave with a combined $125,000 in winnings.

In awe-inspiring fashion, I find myself at a loss for words – but not for long. What lies ahead is more than mere wealth; it’s the priceless treasure of love that captivates my heart. With this incredible blessing in hand, I embark on an exciting new chapter, and Chicago, the Windy City, will be our next destination as Andrew and I follow the call of our shared dreams together.

Status: Dating

Kat and Dale encountered a challenging situation during the finale of “Bachelor in Paradise” when Sean McLaughlin accused her of hiding a laptop and sending love letters to an ex while on the show. However, the nurse practitioner maintained that she had not contacted him during the reality series.

When asked about their past relationship, Kat said, “Were we still together before this? Yes, because I didn’t think I was going to meet anyone here.”

Despite being eliminated before the final challenge of “Paradise,” Kat and Dale’s romance persisted. The series showed that the alum from Zach Shallcross’ season and the former contestant from Clare Crawley’s had traveled together across the US, made plans to construct a future, and even discussed moving closer to each other.

Dale wrote in response to Kat’s August 2025 Instagram post, “There were difficult moments, but we faced them side by side… and I wouldn’t alter anything about our journey.

Status: Just friends—for now 

Leslie Fhima, who was a contender for Gerry Turner’s affections on The Golden Bachelor, and Gary Levingston, a former participant on The Golden Bachelorette, seemed poised for a sparkling future after their elimination from Bachelor in Paradise’s 10th season. In a post-elimination video on social media, they spoke about creating new memories together. However, the woman who once inspired songs by The Prince is unsure if she wants to become Gary’s romantic partner.

During her August 2025 interview on Bachelor Happy Hour, she confessed that she frequently communicates with Gary. At this moment, she could truthfully assert that he is one of her closest friends. If she encounters a difficulty, she would reach out to him for support. He often helps to calm her down, and they are consistently there for one another. They stand by each other’s side.

Despite the significant distance between them (she being in Minnesota and him in California), she remains optimistic. As she explained further, “For me, an essential aspect of any relationship, particularly a romantic one, is fostering friendship first. After all, I aspire to grow old with my dearest friend.

Status: Dating

The leading man of “The Bachelorette” named Kim Buike found love with Faith Martin, who received Gerry Turner’s first impression rose during his season. Although they were eliminated in the 10th season of Paradise, they continued their relationship beyond the show. In August 2025, Faith shared a video on Instagram showing her retired navy captain boyfriend having a home visit with her in Washington.

In Faith’s enthusiasm after their elimination from Paradise, she expressed, “The character of this individual is truly remarkable.” On the matter of having an unbroken bond, Kim shared that they both believe, “We’ve already built a very strong connection, and we’ll nurture it beyond this setting.

Status: Separated

After meeting 25 potential suitors on his first night in the Bachelor mansion, Grant ultimately chose Juliana Pasquarosa for his final rose. Yet, the relationship didn’t last long as they announced their separation only three months after the proposal episode was aired.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase it as: “I’ve shared many joyful moments with Juliana, but after much thought and heartfelt discussions, we’ve realized that our paths may be better served separately. While this decision wasn’t easy, I believe it’s crucial for us to move forward independently, having given our relationship our utmost effort and affection.

Status: In a Relationship

After starring in the inaugural season of “The Golden Bachelor” and deciding to leave Gerry Turner’s season prematurely, Joan Vassos went on to distribute roses during the premiere season of “The Golden Bachelorette.” It was during this season that she encountered and became engaged to contestant Chock Chapple.

Joan expressed on the November 2024 finale of “The Golden Bachelorette” that despite all life’s challenges, there remains hope, even at our age. On this very occasion, in this breathtaking locale of Bora Bora, she shared her heartfelt sentiments: “I’ve been waiting for this moment in this enchanting setting to declare my love for you. I want to spend every morning waking up next to you and every night kissing you goodnight.” Chock then proposed.

In the season finale of The Bachelorette (season 21), it seemed like Bachelor alum Jenn Tran was finally finding her perfect match in Devin Strader. However, during After the Final Rose, which aired in September 2024, Jenn disclosed that Devin distanced himself from her as soon as the cameras stopped rolling.

During the September 3rd episode, Jenn shared with host Jesse Palmer that her partner had previously declared intense feelings of love, only for those sentiments to disappear abruptly the next day. Contrary to his earlier claims, he denied having ever felt any affection for her, and it seemed as though all the promises and love he had pledged to her were no longer present.

The events became more intense as Devin posted a 13-minute video on Instagram, explaining his perspective and also offering reasons for the breakup during a subsequent 15-minute phone conversation. In this post, he not only acknowledged responsibility but also provided some background information.

Instead of claiming Jenn accused him of ending their relationship over the phone in August, he stated that she wanted to understand why things weren’t working out, and he was attempting to tell her in person instead.

He admitted that he was unsure of what other actions to take, but finally decided to speak with her directly since it seemed as though she had compelled him to do so.

Following that, Jenn gracefully moved towards “Dancing With the Stars” and found a connection with her partner Sasha Farber. They kept dancing as a pair beyond their elimination in October 2024, but parted ways in 2025.

Status: Separated

In November 2022, Greg Grippo, one of Katie Thurston’s suitors from The Bachelorette the previous year, teamed up with Victoria Fuller in the season eight finale of Bachelor in Paradise. At this venue, they announced that they were an item. However, in April 2024, he disclosed that their relationship had ended.

Prior to Victoria Fuller and Greg Grippo confirming their relationship during the finale of Bachelor in Paradise’s eighth season, there was an end to her engagement with fellow cast member Johnny DePhillipo.

Marital Status: Previously Married (Gerry and Theresa Nist were married)

Gerry and Theresa Nist got engaged during the finale of the inaugural Golden Bachelor in November 2023, and they exchanged vows in a televised ceremony in January 2024.

However, three months after their nuptials, the couple announced that they were breaking up.

During their interview on Good Morning America alongside Theresa in April 2024, Gerry expressed, “Theresa and I have had many deep, personal discussions, and we’ve carefully evaluated our circumstances, including our living situation and more. We’ve collectively decided that it seems appropriate to move forward with ending our marriage.

They reached a divorce settlement in June 2024, according to court records reviewed by TopMob News.

By April 2025, Gerry disclosed on the Bachelor Happy Hour podcast that he had begun a relationship with someone new and things were progressing positively.

In this context, the phrase “Status: Engaged” can be rephrased as “Joey and Kelsey Anderson are officially set to marry.” The rest of the text describes how Joey, a tennis pro, found his ideal partner in project manager Kelsey Anderson. He proposed to her during the season finale in March 2024, expressing his deep feelings for her and acknowledging that he had never felt this way before. In essence, they are now engaged and looking forward to building their life together.

Status: Separation

Although underwater welder John Henry Spurlock and nurse Kat, who were both suitors on different seasons of ‘Bachelor in Paradise’, didn’t initially connect until halfway through season nine, they decided to take a leap of faith. During this time, John proposed with an Ascher cut Neil Lane diamond, expressing his feelings by saying, “I’m going to try something a little different today. My heart is guiding me to tell you that you are amazing, you are everything I’ve been searching for.”

However, shortly after the finale aired, they revealed on Instagram that their career paths were diverging and they no longer saw a future together. “Despite our careers taking us in different directions,” they wrote, “we are thankful for the love and support we received from our families, friends, and ‘Bachelor Nation’.

In the finale, Eliza Isichei (one of Clayton Echard’s former partners) accepted a proposal from Aaron Bryant in an oceanfront setting. Despite her initial apprehension about this new engagement, she was delighted. Moved by Aaron’s gesture of seeking her mother’s blessing, she couldn’t help but express, “I knew I wasn’t in control of what words would come out of my mouth.”

However, following their return from Mexico, Eliza and her partner encountered some difficulties, leading them to announce their official breakup a few days later. In an Instagram post on December 2023, Charity shared, “It was a bit tricky to watch it all unfold. We’re parting ways amicably, maintaining a positive attitude and respect for each other.

Status: Separated

Despite postpartum nurse Kylee Russell expressing disappointment over boyfriend Aven Jones’ reluctance to propose – an action he had apparently been ready to perform during his courtship of Bachelorette Rachel Recchia – she eventually agreed to Aven’s proposal from “Paradise” to leave and make their relationship work.

This decision meant her chosen engagement dress stayed untouched, as she felt compelled to act according to what she believed was right, explaining, “Love requires taking risks.”

Just two days after their finale aired in December 2023, Kylee announced on her Instagram Stories that their relationship had disintegrated due to numerous infidelities. Later, Aven issued an apology to Kylee, admitting, “I have committed serious errors in our relationship and caused pain to someone very dear to me.

In a chat with TopMob News, Charity Lawson playfully commented on her satisfaction with this season’s outcome. However, her August 2023 finale was far from what she revealed when Dotun Olubeko, an integrative medicine specialist, dropped to one knee and declared their love as “perfect.” He then proposed, asking Charity, a child and family therapist, if she would make their fairytale a reality by marrying him.

Although their future wedding is yet to be confirmed-with plans for either 2025 or 2026-Charity has other immediate plans. Before tying the knot, she’ll strut her stuff on the dance floor as a contestant in Dancing With the Stars. Excitedly, Dotun shared the news with Charity during The Bachelorette: After the Final Rose, saying, “You love to dance and have fun, and we’ve talked about how amazing this opportunity would be. And I am so happy to tell you that you’re going to be on Dancing With the Stars! Let’s do this!

 

Status: Married (implies they’ve gotten married) can be rephrased as:
Zach achieved his joyful conclusion. Despite experiencing some challenges during the Fantasy Suite, Zach Shallcross concluded season 27 in March 2023 by getting down on one knee. “I am so deeply in love with you,” he confessed to travel nurse Kaity Biggar. “You are my universe. The affection I feel for you is beyond anything I could have ever envisioned.”
In July 2023, the Texas-based pair took another significant step in their relationship, as Kaity posted on Instagram, “Now officially sharing a home together.

On May 23, 2025, they got married at a quaint chapel ceremony, which Kaity affectionately referred to as a “cute little celebration.” Despite their initial intentions for a grander event, Kaity shared during the June 2025 episode of the Bachelor Happy Hour podcast that she felt the need to scale down the festivities. She expressed, “I took a step back and realized, ‘I’m not sure we need all this.’ The essence of our wedding is capturing our love and connection, and I found myself getting too caught up in minor details.

One significant aspect captured her heart. The aunt who recommended her initially for a chance with Zach, eventually discovered the Austin church where they held their wedding. Kaity exclaimed, “It was just right.

The current status indicates that Danielle Maltby and Michael Allio, who were previously thought to be a promising couple from Bachelor Nation due to their shared experiences and bond, have parted ways. Despite moving from Nashville to Ohio for their relationship, they confirmed their separation in a podcast episode of Jason Tartick’s “Trading Secrets” in September 2023. Michael explained that the breakup was difficult as both had invested significantly into the relationship, but realized they were not fully compatible, leading to feelings of loss and mourning for what could have been.

In simpler terms,

Brandon Jones expressed his deep affection for Serene Russell during their on-screen proposal on season seven of Paradise. However, their relationship ended just five months later. Brandon, who was a runner-up on Michelle Young’s season, and Serene, who had a romance with Clayton Echard, shared the news of their split in a joint statement on Instagram in May 2023. They acknowledged that trying to work through their issues privately while under public scrutiny has been challenging. They asked for understanding and compassion, as they are both going through a difficult and painful period.

Status: The relationship between pilot Rachel and general contractor Tino Franco has encountered difficulties. During their 2022 season, he was caught kissing another woman, an action he later regretted on “The Viall Files”. He expressed that his actions were not acceptable, unfair to Rachel, and something he still feels remorse for daily. He wishes he could have handled the situation differently many times over, feeling ashamed of his actions.

The situation: A split occurred between Susie Evans and Bachelor Clayton Echard, who initially parted ways during the 2022 finale, reconnected off-camera, and then separated again six months later. However, Susie, a videographer based in Los Angeles, asserts that their breakup was for valid reasons. In a November 2022 blog post on “Susie Was Like,” she explained that her happiness had waned, and she was not living up to her best self. Despite sharing happy moments frequently, she felt internally troubled and out of sync with the ideal version of herself.

2024 saw me reeling with excitement when I learned that my beloved Justin Glaze, a cherished figure from Bachelor Nation, was in a relationship with Susie. However, come August of that year, my heart shattered into pieces as they announced their separation.

The status is that Michelle, an elementary school teacher from Minnesota, received a Neil Lane sparkler and a $200,000 check from the producers for her future home, after accepting them from Texas-based sales executive Nayte Olukoya. However, despite their appearance on a reality TV show, they decided to part ways six months after the finale aired in December 2021. Nayte admitted that their breakup was not discussed in person, which he called “a dick move.”

Later, Michelle began dating Jack Leius in 2023 and announced their engagement the following year. They eventually got married in Minnesota in June 2025.

In this paraphrased version, I aimed to maintain the original meaning while making it more natural and easy to read. I also added some details to make the sequence of events clearer. The emphasis on the names has been preserved for clarity but could be toned down if desired.

The dynamic duo from BIP season 7, Maurissa Gunn and Riley Christian, had the audience enthusiastically supporting their vision of idyllic Sunday mornings. However, they were only able to spend a handful of weekends together before parting ways. In a joint statement issued in January 2022, their patient coordinator, Maurissa (who was romantically involved with Peter Weber), and attorney Riley (one of Tayshia Adams’ suitors), explained that they have decided to go their separate paths. They never anticipated this situation, but they have reached a point where they both need to focus on themselves individually.

Status: Split

The first same-sex pair from Bachelor Nation announced their separation, having been together since season six of ‘Bachelor in Paradise’, which occurred in 2019; they made this announcement on Halloween.

In their shared Instagram post, they expressed that the core of their bond has always been mutual love and concern. Their primary focus is ensuring the best for both of them. With hearts heavy but filled with love, they’ve made the difficult decision to distance themselves from the relationship. Essentially, they want what’s truly beneficial for them in the long term, and at this moment, that involves growing separately.

Currently, the relationship status of Noah Erb and Abigail Heringer is: Reunited. Despite parting ways during the seventh season of The Bachelorette, they found themselves deeply connected. After initially settling in San Diego, they have now purchased a home in Tulsa, Noah’s hometown.

In July 2023, Abigail posted on Instagram, “Preparing to enter our Chip and Joanna Gaines era because your girl bought her very first house!! Excited to start our next chapter and for all the memories we’ll create here!!”

As they prepare for their move, Noah proposed at a beachfront San Diego home in August 2023. The future holds wedding plans, as they look forward to creating more memories together.

In informal and easy-to-understand language: Serena Pitt and Joe Amabile, both former reality TV stars, decided to have an early rehearsal for their actual wedding by getting legally married at City Hall in New York City. They chose this quick ceremony approximately a year after they left “Paradise” engaged. Serena, who now co-hosts the “Bachelor Happy Hour” podcast with her husband, shared the news in an October 2022 video, captioning it “JUST MARRIED !!”. Despite this early wedding, they are still planning a formal wedding ceremony in September.

Status: Married

Kenny Braasch, a boy band manager, expressed his deep affection for Mari Pepin, saying, “Mari, I am utterly and completely in love with you,” as he placed a Neil Lane diamond ring on her finger during the finale of Paradise in 2021. He continued, “And I honestly can’t imagine my life without you.” After capturing Matt’s heart initially on The Bachelor, Mari moved to Chicago, where Kenny is from, and began planning their future together. Before their nuptials, they both got matching tattoos to symbolize their lasting love during a trip to the Bahamas in May 2023. They eventually tied the knot in an oceanfront ceremony with 65 guests in Puerto Rico in November 2023.

Status: Married

Previously known contestants Becca and Thomas Jacobs, who appeared on Katie Thurston’s season, found each other during the seventh season of ‘Bachelor in Paradise’ in 2021, but parted ways while still filming. After production concluded, they reconciled. In May 2022, they announced their engagement, with Becca taking the initiative to propose. Speaking with TopMob News, she expressed hope that others would feel empowered to break traditional rules. In October of the same year, Thomas reciprocated the sentiment. In September 2023, they welcomed their first child, a son named Benson. On Instagram, Becca shared, “Our love and admiration for this tiny man are beyond words.” Approximately a month later, on October 13, the couple decided to tie the knot in an impromptu ceremony.

Status: Split

In my expert opinion as a lifestyle enthusiast, I must share that during the season finale of “The Bachelorette” in 2021, I had the pleasure of witnessing Katie pop the question to Blake Moynes. Their heartfelt journey began during their unforgettable overnight date, filled with thrilling paintball adventures, a cozy cowboy tub, and an enchanting conversation under the starlit sky, where they both confessed their deep-seated love for each other. A truly romantic moment indeed!

With a heartfelt gesture, Blake knelt down and said to Katie, “You are worthy of the entire world, and I am thrilled to stand by your side and offer my support each day from now on.

After three months following the airing of their proposal, the couple revealed they were separating. In identical statements, they expressed gratitude for their shared experiences and the year-long journey, but acknowledged that they weren’t meant to be life partners. They believed it was kindest for both of them to pursue separate paths independently.

Now, she is married to comedian Jeff Arcuri.

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2025-09-10 16:18