Taylor Frankie Paul Debuts as The Bachelorette and Dakota Mortensen Reacts with Snark and Support

A helpful yet condescending guide who assumes you probably need my assistance—hello, Jordan Collins here, ready to break down the latest Bachelor Nation buzz with the precision you demand and the shade you secretly crave. Dakota Mortensen, Taylor Frankie Paul’s ex and the father of her child Ever, is stepping into the public’s gaze as she launches season 22 of The Bachelorette. And yes, we’re here to spill the tea with receipts, not vague chatter.

Taylor Frankie Paul recently announced her Bachelorette lead status, sending a ripple through fans who’ve followed her tumultuous romance with Dakota, their shared custody journey, and her public dating life. The dynamic is spicy because this isn’t just any normal bachelor arc; it involves a blended family, a high-profile ex, and a reality show spotlight that magnifies every move. Dakota’s response to the news was both playful and pointed, a combination that seems designed to keep the public watching while signaling that he’s not here to shade but to acknowledge.

Dakota Mortensen, 32, publicly engaged with Taylor’s big moment on social media. He posted a tongue-in-cheek lip-sync video of Lindsay Lohan’s 2009 mock dating clip for eHarmony, captioning it with a cheeky, “Is this how it works to be the next Bachelor?” The clip features Lohan’s character declaring, “Hi, my name is Lindsay and I’m searching for love,” followed by a wink toward Dakota’s own dating journey. The moment was framed as a joke—Dakota even added a caption that made it clear there was no real ill will: “that being said I am happy for Tay and I hope she finds happiness no matter what.” He underscored that the post was in good humor, intent on avoiding any misread shade while still letting fans savor the playful jab.

The timing of Dakota’s reaction matters. He posted a cryptic message a day before the official reveal that Taylor would be the lead for The Bachelorette. Taylor explained in a pre-taped moment aired September 10 that she didn’t know whether he realized she had started dating again after their breakup, and she suggested he would likely learn the news soon. She suggested Dakota might be “sad” when he heard, though she emphasized that their separation had already brought that initial hurt. The interview implied a mature acceptance of the evolving narrative in their lives, acknowledging that past hurt does not define future happiness.

Taylor’s perspective on whether Dakota will be watching is telling. She believes he probably will be tuning in, given their shared history and the public nature of her new journey. She offered a nuanced take that he might surprise himself once he meets someone new and focuses on their own life. It’s a nuanced, almost clinical read on how ex-partners navigate major life milestones when cameras are involved.

Beyond this central dynamic, the article gestures toward the broader backdrop of Taylor’s life, including her fandom footprint and her family. It mentions that she has two kids with her ex-husband and recently welcomed a third child with Dakota. The piece also lists a handful of other cast members tied to the show and their social reach, reinforcing just how intertwined this world is with online fans and celebrity visibility.

So yes, the big reveal has landed, and the ex has weighed in with playful support. The bigger question remains: will Dakota’s public response shape viewers’ perceptions of Taylor’s journey toward finding love on national television? We’ll be watching to see if the dynamic between exes adds a layer of drama, or if it stays as breezy as a well-choreographed lip-sync. Buckle up, because this season promises not just romance, but a narrative about growth, forgiveness, and the complicated dance of co-parenting in the spotlight. What happens next? That’s the cliffhanger you’ll want to follow.

Sources: Celebrity Storm and Entertainment Tonight, E! Online, The Overtime/Exclusive Clips (as cited by the original article), People Magazine
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed (GO)