This Star Being The Bachelorette Is A High-Risk Move For The Franchise
With controversy encompassing The Bachelor and its spin-offs, the franchise has been facing backlash in more area than one. While some have held the show accountable for long-standing issues surrounding racial insensitivity and cast treatment, others have complained about the changes being implemented in the editing and development of the franchise. The Bachelorette specifically has had a tough time finding its footing recently.
Although there have been rumblings of The Bachelorette taking some time off, viewers have been theorizing that the next lead of the series would be announced sooner rather than later. Making their grand announcement on Alex Cooper's Call Her Daddy podcast, the franchise has chosen a lead for The Bachelorette season 22. For the first time, The Bachelorette isn't someone viewers know from the franchise.
The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives' Taylor Frankie Paul Is The Next Bachelorette
She's Taking On A Brand-New Franchise
After taking the lead on The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives on Hulu, Taylor Frankie Paul will be ushering in a new era of The Bachelorette by becoming the first lead to be cast outside the franchise. Taylor's time on The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives has been controversial to say the least, but her raw honesty has brought her a huge fanbase.
Taylor Frankie Paul Being A Reality TV Star Means The Franchise Is Taking A Risk
She's A Confusing Choice For A Lead
Casting a reality TV star for a reality TV show shouldn't be a controversial choice, but it's a high risk move for The Bachelor franchise. After years of only casting within the same pool of contestants, the franchise has finally taken a bold move in a new direction by choosing Taylor as the next lead. It may or may not pay off.
The directional changes from Bachelor In Paradise season 10 made for a difficult season for the series, and seeing that some viewers may not know much about Taylor's background, it could be risky for The Bachelorette to bring someone in without establishing them first. Taylor's casting could be a make or break moment for The Bachelorette as the franchise tries something new.
WILL’S SHOCKING REVELATION SHAKES HIM TO HIS CORE, AND THOMAS IS LEFT REELING FROM TAYLOR’S DEVASTATING UPDATE!
As Will reels over Luna being alive in the top floor apartment, Electra’s across town in the design office at Forrester telling Ivy that things between her and Will are better than she ever could have dreamed! Naturally, Electra tells her aunt that it was particularly special because Will hasn’t been with anyone else since they met.
In the apartment, Luna tells Will that thoughts of him kept her fighting for her life. He regards her like she has six heads. As Electra gushes about their “first time” over at Forrester, declaring her life “perfect”, Will stammers at Luna, “How are you not dead?” Luna creepily leers about what’s in store for them now… every laugh, every smile, every touch… Will makes an "ick" face.
As Electra and Ivy mistakenly conclude that Luna will “never be a problem” for Will’s girlfriend ever again, across town, Luna coos over Will’s detective skills and tells him he looks hot. Will vows to go to the cops… she shot his brother! Luna teasingly asks if she wants to see her scar. Will mutters about her having nine lives and lets her know they were glad to be rid of her. Luna runs down her horrible life and insists Li sees good in her. She’s ready to start her next, best chapter. Will cringes as she talks about proving she's a good person.
More: B&B just set in motion a super triggering plot!
Will Daphne's Guess Prove Correct?
In the wardrobe room, Carter tells Daphne that Ridge is busy figuring out his complicated love life. She’s confused given he’s engaged to Taylor. Carter hedges that there’s another woman he will always love. Daphne nods, “Brooke.” Daphne guesses, correctly, that Ridge will end his engagement and get back with the blonde. At that very moment, Brooke accepts Ridge’s marriage proposal in the main office. Spotting a ring from the jewelry line, Ridge pops it on the blonde’s finger to make it official. “You’re my forever.”
Ridge tells Brooke he hated hurting Taylor, but the accident changed everything. He wants to come home and fulfill their destiny. They express their love, kiss, canoodle, and go over the accident in Italy for the cazillionth time.
More: Crew Morrow’s turning point as Will
How Will Thomas Take the News?
In her guesthouse at the Forrester Estate, Taylor moons over her breakup until Thomas arrives and asks where his father is and if they set a wedding date. Taylor starts crying, then pulls herself together to break the news that she and his father are no longer engaged.
More: New love interest for Taylor?!
Thomas asks who ended it. “Or do I even need to ask?” Taylor hedges and Thomas jumps up, “I knew it!” Brooke got to him, that’s why Ridge ended things. Taylor’s son rants about Brooke worming her way back in, even as his mother warns she can’t be blamed for this. Ridge made this choice on his own. Taylor vows she’ll get through this (as she has so many times before). Thomas and Taylor embrace.
More: Thomas’ return storyline sparks anger
Fastest Flip-Flop Ever?
Back at Forrester, Brooke declares that she always knew this day would come (who didn't?). Carter enters the office and Ridge tells him they could use his help. The Forrester, who just slept with Taylor last night, announces he wants to marry Brooke, “Today. Right now. In this office. What do you say?” he asks. Brooke gasps and giggles.
Across the hall, Electra tells Ivy she's glad she let Will sleep alone the night of the party… he’d hardly have remembered it anyway. Over at Luna’s place, she hides the mask behind her back as Will grabs his phone to call the cops. He demands Luna show him what she's hiding. She slowly reveals the mask. Will asks what games she’s playing with him. Why does she have Electra’s mask? Luna holds it over her face, and Will flashes back to the night of the rape. Putting two and two together, Will backs up and begins to yell out, “No, no! Oh my God, no!” over and over as Luna smiles triumphantly.
More: First look! Jacqueline MacInnes Wood returns as Steffy
Next on The Bold and the Beautiful: Will Brooke and Ridge wed?. See the in-depth fall preview below.
