We Officially Know When The Bachelorette Will Premiere
Last week we learned that there will be not one, but two upcoming seasons of The Bachelorette (via ABC). Yup, we are excited too! Who are the stars of the seventeenth and eighteenth seasons of the franchise? Katie Thurston and Michelle Young — who both competed for Matt James' heart during his highly-controversial Bachelor season.
Even though Thurston went home on episode six, she became a fan favorite according to StyleCaster, with one fan tweeting about her, "I've watched several seasons of this show and I feel that Katie has been brave, intelligent, classy and the most considerate of others. If one of my sons were single I would love to have had her for a daughter-in-law. Lol..."
Meanwhile, Young was James' runner up on the season 25 finale (via Bachelor Fandom). While fans were initially disappointed that the two didn't end up together, it's clear judging from Twitter posts they are more pumped that she is getting her own season of The Bachelorette.
When we can watch Katie and Michelle on The Bachelorette
Now, we also know when we can see each lady's journey to find love, with Thurston's season set to air this summer, and Young's airing in the fall. That there are two Bachelorette leads in 2021 is being called the "reset" the franchise needs following the Chris Harrison scandal (via Marie Claire). In fact, the rosemaster is not returning to host the upcoming season, with CNN reporting former Bachelorette leads Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe will take his place.
Meanwhile, Reality Steve shared that filming has already begun on Thurston's season, tweeting on March 12, "Every1 is currently quarantining in New Mexico – Katie, the men, the co-hosts, and production – & filming begins late next week at the Hyatt Tamaya, just outside of Albuquerque, NM."
Marie Claire surmises that Young's season will begin filming in June or July, around the same time we get to see Thurston's journey air.