At the end of a dramatic “The Bachelor: After the Final Rose” on Monday night, the franchise shocked fans with a surprising announcement.
“Bachelor” nation announced that there would be two “Bachelorette” seasons for 2021. Michelle Young and Katie Thurston, two contestants on this past season of “The Bachelor,” came on stage with fill-in host Emmanuel Acho where they both made the announcement.
Acho took over hosting duties for Chris Harrison following the long-time host’s temporary departure after making racially insensitive comments, defending "Bachelor" contestant Rachael Kirkconnell.
Thurston’s season will air this summer and is expected to go into production next week. She has high hopes for her turn as the “Bachelorette.”
“I’m ready to find love, and not just, like, the temporary kind. I’m talking forever. My husband,” Thurston said. “And I’m at a place in my life where I feel like I’m the best version of me. Honestly, I’ve seen it work before, why can’t it work for me.”
Young will be the third Black lead to star in “The Bachelorette,” following Tayshia Adams and Rachel Lindsay. While Young was excited, she was also anxious about the role.
“I would be lying if I didn’t say when they first told me, I thought we were gonna be the Bachelorette at the same time, and so I was a little nervous,” Young said. “But once I found out it was two different seasons, I was here for it. I’m excited that I get to have somebody to bond over with this and share notes as we go.”
Related
Bachelor fans learned last week that veteran show host Chris Harrison will not be returning for the next season of "The Bachelorette" and will be replaced by past show stars Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe.
Harrison's departure along with the co-hosting gigs for Adams and Bristowe were confirmed in a joint statement from Warner Horizon and ABC Entertainment.
"Chris Harrison will not be hosting the next season of 'The Bachelorette,'" the statement said.
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