Reality star Taylor Frankie Paul’s made-for-TV search for romance will receive backing from Utah taxpayers.
The upcoming season of ABC’s reality show “The Bachelorette,” featuring Paul, will receive Utah Motion Picture incentive funds, the Utah Film Commission announced Wednesday.
Paul is no stranger to reality TV. The TikTok influencer is already starring in Hulu’s “The Secret Lives of Mormon Lives,” which returns for season 3 on Nov. 13.
The 22nd season of “The Bachelorette” doesn’t premiere until early 2026, but crews will start filming this fall around Utah. It was one of seven productions approved for state film incentives.
Determining how much tax-incentive money each production receives depends on how much each movie or TV production spends in Utah.
The film commission estimates the seven productions selected will collectively generate $15.6 million in economic impact and create more than 300 new jobs in Salt Lake, Summit, Utah, Washington, Wayne and Weber counties.
Lex Pascual, vice president of production incentives at Warner Bros. Discovery, the studio that produces “The Bachelorette,” said in a statement issued by the film commission that “Utah offers a stunning and diverse natural backdrop that is perfect for this romantic reality series.”
Pascuall added, “beyond the scenery, Utah’s blend of small-town charm and modern amenities offer a fresh take on romance. The state is known for its friendly communities, strong family values, and a culture that emphasizes connection — traits that align well with the emotional journey and genuine relationships that ‘The Bachelorette’ aims to showcase.”
ABC announced in September that Paul — whose mention of “soft swinging” first made her Utah #MomTok circle a media sensation — would be the central figure in “The Bachelorette” this season.
Other productions that were approved for state incentive money include:
• “Blood on the Promontory,” a Western produced by the team that made Kevin Costner’s “Horizon: An American Saga,” to film in Washington County this winter. The commission said the film centers on five escaped convicts in the Wyoming territory in the 1870s.
• “Iconoclast,” an independent feature to be filmed this fall in and around Salt Lake and Weber counties. Line producer Steven A. Lee, who has worked on such Utah-made productions as “One Big Happy Family” and “Emma Smith: My Story,” said in a statement that Utah is “truly one of the best places to film. The landscapes are amazing, giving us everything from iconic red rock deserts to lush mountain backdrops. The real treasure is the local crew.”
• “Into the Wilderness,” a documentary following a group therapy program, filming this fall in Washington and Wayne counties. “Utah was the natural choice for a film about the power of nature to heal,” producer Julian Cautherley said in a statement. “The state’s landscapes — golden aspen forests, rugged red rock cliffs, and canyon waterways — provide both a breathtaking backdrop and a living context for the story,”
• A TV pilot, with the working title “Jesus Sees Us,” to be filmed this fall in and around Utah County. “We’re building a first-of-its-kind hybrid pipeline combining live-action, 2D, 3D and AI-enhanced animation, and we’re doing it all right here in Utah,” producer Keith Grover said in a statement. “Our goal is to create world-class stories while training and employing local talent, helping make Utah a leader in the future of filmmaking.”
• “Ladybug’s Garden,” a children’s puppet series by a local filmmaking team, to be shot this fall in Utah County. Producer Ian Puente said in a statement, “Utah’s thriving community and dedicated talent have made this the perfect place to set down roots.”
• “Monsters & Aliens,” a documentary series by local filmmaker Gary Auerbach, to be shot this fall in Salt Lake and Utah counties.