Reality TV is forever changed

The power once held by the silver screen is now being held by the tiny screen. Taylor Frankie Paul broke the internet when she announced what was happening behind closed doors in some Mormons’ homes. Now, she is doing it again. Reality TV is forever changed with the recent Bachelorette casting. Only time will tell if it will be for better or worse. In 2024, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (TSLOMW) dropped on Hulu. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been hooked on the franchise since the explosive first season. 

Today, Taylor Frankie Paul has over 8 million followers on TikTok and over 1 million followers on Instagram. This mom is authentic, honest, and ready to find love. When TSLOMW debuted, I was unsure how the show would fare. As a fan of reality TV, I was a bit hesitant. Not because it was about Mormon wives, but because reality TV has fallen a bit, shall I say, flat in recent years. It seems cast members are intent on keeping a likable image to keep brand deals flowing and follower accounts up. I get it. Business is business, but a polished persona doesn’t say anything. Taylor Frankie Paul isn’t afraid to go against the grain and say what she actually thinks. It’s refreshing to say the least. As someone who has never watched a full season of The Bachelorette, I’m excited! I’m also aware of what this casting means for the future of reality TV. 

Sure, Taylor Frankie Paul has never been on a Bachelor franchise show. While this may be a seismic shift for Bachelor Nation, it doesn’t mean as much to new viewers. The fact that a well-established mega-influencer and cast member of another reality show is helming an over 20-year-long franchise is jaw-dropping. Taylor Frankie Paul doesn’t have to gain a fanbase. It’s already established, and she brings potential new viewership to the show. However, this new viewership will affect the established Bachelor franchise. Just like when Harry Jowsey was on Dancing with the Stars, the old and the new crowd might not agree with how the season is being handled. Where will this happen? Social Media. 

Image from Taylor Frankie Paul's Instagram account

This begs the question: Will reality TV ever be able to separate itself from social media moving forward? The answer is no. This decision to cast Taylor Frankie Paul creates a new benchmark for reality TV casting: established followers. The fact is, TV shows have to show they can make the studios' money. It’s just a fact. It’s cold, but it’s true. This casting affirms the idea that reality TV shows with unknown cast members are more financially risky. Making studios ask, Is it worth it to make a show that maybe 200,000 viewers will watch, or should we invest in a show where castmates have an established base bringing in millions of potential viewers. The idea that social media numbers affect what’s developed isn’t new. Maya Hawke has already commented on the power of social media in Hollywood. It only makes sense that social media would also affect reality TV, but reality TV is in a league of its own. 

For years, reality TV has been a unique mirror of society. While it may not be perfectly accurate, it allows the audience to glimpse into the lives of what could be your neighbor. Not anymore. This casting sets a new precedent. The average person doesn’t have the same follower account or fanbase as Taylor Frankie Paul. She already has a fairly established social image. Is this the new expectation for reality TV stars? A loyal fanbase that is ready to follow them from one show to the next? Will this mean reality TV turns into an Avengers-like league of its own, where cast members guest-star on affiliate shows? Will an average person be the lead in the Bachelor franchise ever again? Only time will tell. What I do know is reality TV will never look the same. This also opens a wider world of possibilities for Taylor Frankie Paul, not like she needed them. Let me be clear. The Bachelor Nation isn’t skyrocketing Taylor Frankie Paul to stardom; she is bringing them back into the conversation. I can’t wait to see her season and how the world of reality TV will deal with the fallout.