The official “Bachelor Happy Hour” podcast will introduce franchise fans to the season 22 contestants despite the show’s shocking cancellation.
“We have heard so many incredible things about the men of Taylor’s season,” Golden Bachelor alum Kathy Swarts said on the Friday, March 27, episode of the “Bachelor Happy Hour” podcast. “Now, it’s time to make a proper introduction.”
Kathy, 72, was filling in for Rachel Recchia on Friday’s episode. Rachel, 30, usually hosts the Bachelor Nation podcast with fellow former Bachelorette Charity Lawson.
“‘Bachelor Happy Hour’ will be the only place that you are gonna hear directly from the men of Taylor’s cast,” Charity, 30, explained.
Taylor Frankie Paul was named the season 22 lead of The Bachelorette in fall 2025, which was filmed weeks later and was scheduled to premiere on March 22. ABC unceremoniously pulled the plug days in advance of the season’s debut, after resurfaced footage leading up to Taylor’s 2023 arrest was leaked. (Taylor, 31, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault after physically assaulting now-ex Dakota Mortensen in exchange for the dismissal of additional charges pertaining to child abuse. She was placed on probation as part of the deal.)
“Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security,” a spokesperson for Taylor told Us Weekly in a March 19 statement. “After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm.”
Taylor shares Indy, 8, and Ocean, 5, with ex-husband Tate Paul, as well as son Ever, 2, with Dakota, 33.
“There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives,” the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star’s rep added at the time. “Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation and public shaming. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story.”
Dakota, who categorically denied the accusations regarding his behavior, has since been granted a temporary protective order against Taylor. He was also awarded sole custody of Ever until an April court hearing.
As for the future of the Bachelor franchise, ABC has not offered an update about replacing Taylor or airing her season sometime in the future.
“That show is about finding love, and it will come back bigger and better than ever,” Kathy exclusively told Us at the iHeartRadio Music Awards on Thursday, March 27, predicting the Bachelorette’s next steps. “I think [Taylor’s] story was meant to be a redemptive story. It was still about love. … And the truth is not out yet. We don’t know the truth.”
She continued, “We are praying that it all works out for the best. We’re praying for the kids that the best resolution happens.”
The next day, Kathy joined Charity to interview military veteran Christopher Lovehall about his experience on the show.
“Honestly, this just been, like, a whirlwind,” Christopher, 35, said, acknowledging the ongoing drama with the show and Taylor’s scandals. “I don’t think I’ve been able to articulate
the way that I feel, you know, I’ll go to bed and I’ll wake up and it’s something else. I haven’t had the time to get my feet underneath me yet with all this, I’m just trying to take it day by day.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
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