Meet the 22 Men Courting Taylor Frankie Paul: From Songwriters to Paralympians

When Taylor Frankie Paul—31-year-old single mom of three and star of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives—stepped into the Lead Chair for Season 22 of The Bachelorette, she brought something new: none of the men vying for her rose have appeared before in Bachelor Nation. With the premiere set for March 22, 2026, ABC dropped the full cast of 22 diverse suitors. Think pro athletes, cowboys, creatives, technical wizards—and one Paralympian who just might be hard to beat.

Taylor Frankie Paul: A Different Kind of Bachelorette Lead

Taylor grew to social-media fame via #MomTok and later reality fame through Mormon Wives. At 31, with three kids, she has already shared that this will be her first time leading a season—making her the franchise’s first lead who didn’t emerge from a previous Bachelor or Bachelorette cast. It’s also a time of reinventing: she moved out of Utah seeking a fresh start after a high-profile breakup. This uniqueness shapes contestants who don’t just have charm, but character. Filming ran from late October through mid-December 2025, covering locations from Agoura Hills, California to Colorado, Nevada, Florida—and wrapping amid paradise in Saint Lucia.

The Knit, The Gnarly, And The Notable Faces

Here’s a taste of the 22 men Taylor will get to know:

• Aaron, 32—Product manager from Vineyard, Utah, described as a devoted Mormon and “total husband material.”
• Brad, 29—A cowboy-entrepreneur from Newport Beach who also co-founded an alcoholic seltzer company and is working toward his private pilot’s license.
• Clayton, 36—A singer/songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee, dreaming of writing songs that last.
• Trenten Merrill, 35—A professional athlete and three-time U.S. Paralympian from San Juan Capistrano, California, who lost his right foot after a serious dirt bike crash. Former bronze medalist and long jump specialist, he currently holds the American record in the T64 long jump category.

Others include Johnnie LaRossa—former pro baseball player from Massapequa, New York; Josh, a sales manager stationed in Provo, Utah; Kevin, a physical therapist who loves surfing and travel; and Lew, a 6’8” insurance tech founder from Salt Lake City. Ages in the mix span 28 to 43, careers from photographers and real estate brokers to creative directors and startup founders. Every man brings something different to the rose table.

What Sets This Season Apart

This isn't just another love competition. First, the landscape: Taylor isn’t pulled from someone else’s narrative—her journey, her story, her standard. Second, representation gets real—having a Paralympian like Trenten competing—not as a token, but elevating what strength looks like. Those track-and-field credentials speak volumes: from Rio 2016, to bronze in Tokyo, to contending again in Paris.

Taylor has also been vocal about not playing by old rules. She’s teased early eliminations—some before the traditional rose ceremony—for those she feels are “there for the wrong reasons.” She wants authenticity over pageantry, connection over polish. This season, chemistry, character, and honesty are on trial—not just fluff and fantasy.

Bringing It Home: Hopes, Stakes, And First Dates

With Taylor, a mother prioritizing family values, expectations are clear: suitors must be ready for more than sunset dates and dramatic rose ceremonies. Shared values, lifestyle compatibility—especially in relation to parenthood and faith—are expected to matter. Potential suitors from Utah or with Mormon backgrounds may have a head start in understanding Taylor’s roots, but Taylor has made it clear everyone will get a fair chance.

The decision-making will be just as textured. Taylor has confirmed she’ll keep an eye out for genuine interpersonal chemistry and integrity. She’s ready to send someone home early; she’s aware that being the lead with three kids adds complexity—and yet, she's embracing it.

Get ready: from March 22, 2026, when it airs on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu, this isn’t just the story of who gets the last rose—it’s the story of redefining what love looks like in Bachelor Nation.

Conclusion
Season 22 isn’t just about romance—it’s about reshaping expectations. With Taylor Frankie Paul at the center—a lead unlike any other—and 22 suitors bringing his-and-hers worlds from cowboys to tissue engineers to Paralympian glory, prepare for sparks that might set a new benchmark. This is The Bachelorette, remixed—and it might just be the freshest one yet.