It’s a fresh trove for “Bachelorette” and “Stars”

Grasping for more (and younger) viewers, ABC has found a fresh treasure trove: “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.”
That show’s central character — Taylor Frankie Paul (shown here), 31 and a mother of three — has been announced as the new “Bachelorette” star.
The news comes shortly after two of the show’s other regulars were chosen for ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.”
Both Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt will be dancing on the show, which starts its season from 8-10 p.m. Tuesday (Sept. 16). “Secret Lives” returns Nov. 13 on Hulu (which, like ABC, is owned by Disney). “Bachelorette,” is merely listed for some time in 2026.
“Bachelorette” used to be a summer staple. But ratings fell and ABC made two moves: The show skipped this summer and hired new producers for a revamp.
They ditched the habit of turning former “Bachelor” contestants into the next bachelorette. Paul emerges from a different world.
On the internet, she revealed that she and her then-husband were doing “soft-swinging” in the Mormon community in Utah. “Secret Lives” focused on the aftermath for Paul and others.
Affleck and Leavitt are both married moms; Paul’s world is more complicated. She has two children with her ex-husband and a 1-year-old with her ex-boyfriend. She’s also said that a new husband must move to Utah.