Show summary Hide summary
The Bachelorette 2026 cast just dropped, and 22 men are ready to compete for Taylor Frankie Paul’s heart. From cowboys to athletes, this season promises unforgettable drama and romance. The Salt Lake City native gets her pick of eligible bachelors when the show premieres March 22.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Season 22 Premiere: Sunday, March 22, 2026 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
- Cast Size: 22 men ranging in age from 28 to 43 years old
- Lead: Taylor Frankie Paul, 31, from Herriman, Utah (star of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives)
- Cast Professions: Athletes, entrepreneurs, engineers, chefs, lifeguards, and more diverse backgrounds
Meet Taylor Frankie Paul, ABC’s Bold New Bachelorette
Taylor Frankie Paul is making history as the first non-franchise lead on The Bachelorette. The 31-year-old reality star rose to fame on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and is a devoted mother of three. Unlike previous seasons, Taylor wasn’t plucked from The Bachelor contestant pool, marking a significant shift for the franchise. She’s embracing the role with confidence, despite doubts about balancing single motherhood with this journey.
During an interview on Call Her Daddy, Taylor revealed her initial hesitations about taking on the lead role. “I’m like, ‘is this possible for me to do as a single mom?'” she shared. However, her determination won out. “I can do anything I want,” she declared. Taylor is openly searching for genuine love and a partner who can embrace her children and family-first values.
First lead No. 1 for Lil Uzi Vert on Rhythmic Airplay Chart
Taylor Frankie Paul’s Bachelorette season canceled by ABC after video surfaces
Standout Contestants: What Makes This Season Unique
The 22 contestants represent diverse professions and backgrounds, creating exceptional matchmaking potential. Brad, 29, is a self-proclaimed cowboy and entrepreneur from California with his best friend being his horse, Gus. Meanwhile, Clayton, 36, is a Nashville singer-songwriter who dreams of writing love songs. Trenten, 35, is a three-time Paralympian and professional athlete who approaches life with resilience and courage.
The cast also includes Conrad, 32, a Stanford MBA-educated startup founder; Rod, 35, an entrepreneur and 17-year military veteran who supports foster kids; and Brandon, 28, a single dad and loan officer from South Dakota. These men bring genuine depth, ambition, and maturity to the competition. Several contestants come from the Utah and Nashville areas, giving them natural commonalities with Taylor.
The Complete 22-Man Cast List
| Name | Age | Profession/Location |
| Aaron | 32 | Product Manager, Vineyard, Utah |
| Brad | 29 | Cowboy/Entrepreneur, Newport Beach, CA |
| Brandon | 28 | Loan Officer, Spearfish, South Dakota |
| Casey | 30 | Mechanical Engineer, Nashville, TN |
| Christopher | 35 | Business Owner, Vacaville, CA |
| Clayton | 36 | Singer-Songwriter, Nashville, TN |
| Conrad | 32 | Startup Founder, Santa Monica, CA |
| Doug | 28 | Ocean Lifeguard, San Diego, CA |
| Johnnie | 30 | Former Pro Baseball Player, NY |
| Josh | 28 | Sales Manager, Provo, Utah |
| Kevin | 32 | Physical Therapist, Miami, FL |
| Lew | 32 | Insurance Tech Founder, Salt Lake City, UT |
| Malik | 30 | Tech Executive, Brooklyn, NY |
| Marcus | 28 | Creative Director, Elmont, NY |
| Matt | 43 | Real Estate Broker, Carmel, Indiana |
| Michael Baba | 32 | Chiropractic Healer, San Diego, CA |
| Mike T. | 36 | Brand Protection Manager, Lavallette, NJ |
| Richard | 35 | Photographer, Charleston, SC |
| Rod | 35 | Entrepreneur/Chef, Austin, Texas |
| Ronn | 28 | Account Executive, San Francisco, CA |
| Shane | 28 | Private Wealth Planner, Atlanta, GA |
| Trenten | 35 | Pro Athlete-Paralympian, San Juan Capistrano, CA |
“People say they want to grow old with somebody. I want to stay young with somebody.”
— Clayton, Singer-songwriter from Nashville
What Fans Can Expect From Season 22
ABC’s promotional video, released February 23, showcased the 22 contestants dancing and sharing their dating philosophies. Shane, 28, called himself a “take home to mom” type, while Casey, 30, awkwardly admitted he hasn’t seen The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives yet. The energy is playful, competitive, and genuine. Fans expect familiar Bachelorette traditions: cocktail parties, group dates, one-on-one connections, and plenty of drama as contestants battle for Taylor’s time and affection.
The cast age range spans 28 to 43 years old, offering Taylor diverse perspectives and life stages. Some men are single dads ready to expand their families, while others are career-focused entrepreneurs seeking partnership. This diversity could create compelling storylines and genuine connections beyond surface-level attraction. Multiple contestants come from the Mormon faith tradition, which gives them shared values with Taylor.
Will Taylor Find Her Forever Partner in This Unique Season?
Taylor’s non-traditional journey to becoming The Bachelorette already sets season 22 apart from previous iterations. She’s not a Bachelor reject or a contestant plucked from another franchise show. Instead, she’s a MomTok influencer and Mormon Wives star who earned her spot based on her authentic personality and compelling story. With 22 men ready to compete and a lead genuinely seeking marriage and family integration, this season could deliver the emotional depth fans crave. Will Taylor’s search for love succeed where others have found lasting partnerships?
