New Bachelorette Taylor Frankie Paul has sent ripples through Bachelor Nation by revealing she “wouldn’t be shocked” if her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, attempts to win her heart on the show. This candid confession immediately ignited fan speculation, delving into their tumultuous past and the dramatic potential of his unexpected return.
The world of reality television is abuzz with the latest announcement from Bachelor Nation. After 21 seasons, “The Bachelorette” is set to embark on a fresh and intriguing chapter with a familiar face taking center stage. Taylor Frankie Paul, widely recognized from “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” and as a viral TikTok sensation, has officially been named the next Bachelorette, ready to hand out roses and pursue her quest for lasting love.
As she gears up for this highly anticipated journey, Taylor has shared a surprising revelation that has fans and critics alike talking. She admits she “wouldn’t be surprised” if another well-known figure, her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, makes an appearance during her season.
Taylor’s Candid Confession: “Wouldn’t Be Shocked”
In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, the new Bachelorette was directly asked about the possibility of an ex showing up to compete for her heart. Taylor Frankie Paul didn’t hold back, distinguishing between two significant past relationships.
“My first [ex] obviously wouldn’t, he’s married. But second one [Dakota], wouldn’t be shocked,” Taylor confessed, as reported by Us Weekly. She elaborated on her reaction to such a scenario, explaining her mixed feelings if he were to step out of a limo.
“That is something I don’t know,” she admitted. “I don’t know how I would react because, to me, if he gets out of the limo, I’m like, ‘Cool shocker you’re here! He’s here, he wants to try.’ That wouldn’t shock me, and also kind of the same thing with bad news from him, ‘Shocker! You did it again.’ It’s just like, for me, I wouldn’t be shocked. How I would react? I don’t know.” Her statement highlights a complex emotional history with Dakota, suggesting a pattern of both unexpected attempts and potential disappointments.
A Deep Dive into Taylor and Dakota’s Relationship History
The relationship between Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen has been a subject of public interest, particularly following Taylor’s highly publicized divorce from ex-husband Tate Paul. Their split came in the wake of the infamous MomTok swinging scandal, which involved Taylor engaging with various couples within her close-knit Mormon community, including Miranda McWhorter and her then-husband, Chase McWhorter.
After navigating the aftermath of that controversy, Taylor and Dakota began dating in 2022. Their relationship progressed rapidly, leading to the welcoming of their son, Ever. However, their union was not destined to last, as they ultimately decided to split in September 2024. Beyond Ever, Taylor is also a mother to daughter Indy and son Ocean, both shared with her ex-husband Tate Paul.
Dakota’s Initial Reaction to the Bachelorette Announcement
The announcement of Taylor Frankie Paul as the Bachelorette on September 10, 2025, caught many off guard, including, it seems, Dakota Mortensen himself. Taylor admitted in an exclusive interview with Us Weekly that she hadn’t informed him prior to the news breaking.
“I have not confirmed it with him. It’s just not something that’s been on, like, my priority list to confirm with him,” she shared at the time. She anticipated his reaction, noting, “[He’ll] probably [be] sad. I assume that it’s like, ‘Whoa, she’s gonna be dating people, a lot, and then also, in front of me,’ and that’s probably gonna be kind of hard to watch.”
Dakota’s own social media activity seemed to reflect his feelings. On September 10, the same day as the announcement, he posted a selfie on his Instagram Stories with a reflective caption: “Had so many curve balls today and every time I am always reminded there is nothing more important than God and family ❤️. Life is too short,” as documented by Yahoo Entertainment.
Two days later, on September 12, Dakota further addressed the news by sharing a TikTok video. In a humorous twist, he parodied a previous video Taylor had made, where she expressed her desire to be a Bachelor Nation lead by lip-syncing Lindsay Lohan’s Super Bowl commercial about finding love. Dakota’s video, mirroring Lohan’s sound, playfully asked, “Is this how it works to be the next Bachelor?” He captioned it with a supportive message for Taylor: “I am happy for Tay, and I hope she finds happiness,” also reported by Yahoo Entertainment.
The Bachelorette Journey Awaits: Taylor’s Anticipation
Despite the brewing drama surrounding Dakota’s potential appearance, Taylor Frankie Paul admits that the reality of being the Bachelorette hasn’t fully sunk in yet. “It hasn’t processed yet,” she revealed. “I think honestly, if I’m being honest, I don’t think it’s going to process until night 1, when I’m waiting for that first limo… it hasn’t hit yet, I’ll say that.”
Fans are eagerly anticipating Taylor’s journey to find love, which is set to unfold in 2026. The question on everyone’s mind remains: Will Dakota Mortensen truly be among the men vying for her heart? The prospect introduces an exciting, and potentially volatile, dynamic to the upcoming season, promising unprecedented drama and emotional depth.
Only time will tell if Dakota makes his grand entrance, creating one of Bachelor Nation’s most talked-about twists. Until then, the speculation, and the anticipation for Taylor Frankie Paul’s season, continues to build.
