While most reality television shows are meant to find love or portray genuine reality, recent productions have become calculated and filtered for entertainment value. Networks are intentionally casting stars of questionable backgrounds to get better ratings by inciting controversy. These shows are known for their scandals, drama and gossip, but recently it has become common for shows to cast public figures with a volatile history.
Taylor Frankie Paul — single mom, content creator and star of the show The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and now the newest bachelorette — is a prime example of this. Paul rose to fame when her shocking swinging scandal was virally exposed.
The Secret Lives follows the “MomTok” content creation group, a circle of women living untraditional Mormon lives. After two viral seasons and demands for more drama, Hulu has renewed the series for a third.
Traditionally, bachelorettes are casted from a prior Bachelor season. Season 22 is breaking the mold — Hulu and ABC are taking a star from their other show to cross-promote and increase viewership.
The network’s attempts to gain viewers seem to have proved successful. Senior Julia O’Brien said, “I’ve never watched The Bachelorette or The Bachelor, but I want to watch this season if Taylor is there.”
Paul’s off-screen life has also raised eyebrows. She was charged with a felony, aggravated assault and child abuse while filming The Secret Lives, leaving some viewers shocked and uncomfortable with her role on The Bachelorette. Paul’s casting seems like a desperate bid to revive declining ratings.
Paul is not the only controversial figure recently cast on reality television. Convicted con artist and fraud Anna Delvey competed in Season 33 of Dancing With The Stars soon after being released from jail, even dancing wearing her ankle monitor. She received backlash for her participation, but the season gained attention from the media coverage of the controversy.
Hulu and ABC are clearly capitalizing on Paul and Delvey’s scandals to attract viewers and spark conversations to further their own economic gain.