'Bachelorette' Charity Lawson on why 'Golden Bachelor' brought franchise back to life

Charity Lawson had a whirlwind 2023.

She starred on season 27 of "The Bachelor," which debuted in January, before becoming the lead on season 20 of "The Bachelorette." Her run as the face of the long-running franchise ended in an engagement to Dotun Olubeko. She then followed that up by finishing fourth on "Dancing With the Stars."

It's hard to imagine a more successful year.

So how is the Columbus, Georgia, native kicking off 2024? Lawson first served as a gold carpet correspondent for the "Golden Bachelor" wedding on Jan. 4. Now she is getting ready to join the "Dancing With the Stars" tour, which started in Richmond, Virginia, on Jan. 11.

Her first stop as the show's special guest will be at Cincinnati's Taft Theatre on Feb. 6.

The visit is Lawson's first time becoming acquainted with the Queen City. We tested her knowledge in our Cincinnati Trivia game on TikTok, and she does at least know of our town's pride and joy: Joe Burrow.

We also informed her about our beloved Fiona the hippo, to which she responded, "My city doesn't do fun stuff like this."

Our chat, of course, covered much more. Take a look below.

This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Charity Lawson talks 'Dancing With the Stars' and more

Question: Looking back at "Dancing With the Stars," what are you most proud of?

Charity: I'm really proud about how strong I was and how much I was able to overcome. I say that in the sense of physically because this show is extremely demanding. Going into it, I did not realize how much work it was going to take, and I for a second really thought, "Oh my goodness, can my body withstand this? This is a lot." But I think once you get in the routine and you keep pushing yourself and really not giving up, this was something so exciting and fun to learn.

You received a lot of unwarranted negative comments from fans. How were you able to block those out and still perform really well?

That definitely came unexpected. It kind of wasn't there at first, which was interesting for me to see that shift. Then toward the middle of the season, I wanna say unfortunately right when Harry (Jowsey) left, is when the influx came in. And it was odd to me because I was like "This wasn't here." I was not foreign to it because of my time on "The Bachelorette," once you step in the public eye, you can't please everyone.

So my mindset had to become, "I am doing my best and people maybe aren't seeing that for what it is, or it's not being showcased for what it is." But I know that, and my partner, Artem (Chigvintsev), knew that. I had to try my best to block it out. It was rough seeing every now and then, but it got to the point where I just didn't go on social media. I just didn't post as much as I could've, and that was one of the big reasons.

I was on a mission, which my mission was to become a better dancer and really enjoy and take in this experience. I was not going to let something I have no control over taint that for me.

Did you get any advice from the former "Bachelorettes" who were on "Dancing With the Stars"? And did you feel any pressure to perform well due to all their success?

I actually talked to all of them. They did give me advice. Kaitlyn (Bristowe) was just like "stay afloat," which I was like "Yeah that's probably the best one. Just get through this s---." Gabby (Windey) is so funny. She was just like, "Really try to enjoy this and have fun because it does pick up at a point in the season." And everything they said was exactly true. The point in the season where it shifts, you feel it in your body, but also it's almost to a point where I think everybody that is casted is like "Why am I here? Should I still be doing this?" Because it gets really hard.

I don't think I came in with any pressure because I knew if I gave myself that expectation and I didn't live up to it, it would be really hard to deal with. I was like "Yes, I'm coming in as 'Bachelorette,' but I'm coming in as Charity. 'Bachelorette' is just something that I did. It was an experience I got to experience. Even if I don't place where I'm supposed to place as a 'Bachelorette,' it's OK because for me, this is something I have never done. I've never had dance experience, never had dance training, never took a dance class." So that is where I was starting off as. I was not thinking "Oh my goodness I have to get to a certain place. This is where I have to work harder." I was just trying to really, again, stay afloat and do my best.

Were there any celebrities who really cool to meet or work with?

Everybody on our cast was so friendly. And even the crew tells us this all the time, we were one of the most tightest, friendliest casts ever. Obviously, I love Harry and Lele (Pons). They are so goofy and fun to be around. Alyson (Hannigan), she was like my mom on set. She was amazing and has the sweetest heart. Tyson (Beckford), he went home earlier, but he is so fun to be around. Everybody. Xochitl (Gomez) is like my little sister. Everyone is so close.

What are you most excited for about touring with "Dancing With the Stars"?

I've never done bus life, tour life. Never done anything like this. I'm just really anticipating what that's going to look like, but also just being able to dance again and being back with everyone. The whole "Dancing With the Stars" family is really a big family. Being able to do this all over again, even if it's for a brief period, I'm just really looking forward to it.

What will differ in preparing for the tour compared to the TV show?

In a way, I feel like there's less pressure almost just because live television is actually terrifying.

I'm acclimated with how things go. I feel like, with handling the pressure of a live (TV) show, this is going to be a lot easier. ... I think learning a show number is going to be different than learning a new dance every week and having less than two days to figure that all out.

How are things with Charity and Dotun?

I'm obligated to ask this: How are things with Dotun?

Things have been super great. We are in New York now. We made that transition after the holidays and spending some time with family. ... We're just doing super great. Life is slowing down, kind of getting into that normal rhythm for us because things were chaotic. We're now going into wedding planning, which is exciting. We're just trying to live a normal life.

We're happy to be in New York. This is really a place where he thrives at, and I always wanted to live here but just was waiting on the perfect timing, and it's now. So we're doing good.

Are there any funny quirks you have learned about him or he has learned about you? I know my wife probably has a whole list for me.

He's super goofy and really funny. I feel like not too many of you guys saw that if you watched my season of "The Bachelorette." He has a completely different side. What's so crazy, is I feel like we bring that out in each other. We are just two true goofballs. We always say we're going to have a stand-up comedian show because we're so funny, and I'm not trying to toot my own horn, but literally he is actually hilarious.

He's a big snorer. He likes to deny that. He hates when I talk about that in interviews, but he does. We have such a good time together. It's just more testament (to our relationship) to know we can enjoy each other in normal life and not just on a television show, and to know we are really compatible and we really are each other's soul mates.

Have you received any advice from the Bachelor Nation couples still together on how to navigate a relationship in the public eye?

It's few and far between with Bachelor Nation couples. No shade. That's just the reality.

But someone I really enjoy talking to a lot about relationships and just withstanding all of this is Trista Sutter, who was the very first "Bachelorette" and she's still with her husband, has a beautiful family. Whenever I see her, whenever we have time to reach out and talk to each other, she always gives me the best advice. She has a really healthy balance of how much she shares on social media about her family, her relationship, etc.

But also whenever I speak with her, the one thing she always says is forgiveness. Forgiveness not in the traditional aspect of "Oh he did something really wrong and I need to forgive him." It's just the day-to-day things. ... Little things that can sustain and help our relationship.

Charity's thoughts on 'The Bachelor' and 'The Golden Bachelor'

Are you watching Joey Graziadei's season of "The Bachelor"?

Yeah, we are. Me and Dotun watched (the premiere) together, and we have our thoughts. It's going great so far. Obviously, we are super excited for him and are rooting for his success and his love story. So far, the cast seems really interesting and dynamic, which I love, and I think it's going to be a little bit of a shift considering I was on Zach's (Shallcross) season and our group of girls were very friendly and 'girls' and 'we love each other.' My season, the guys were, for the most part, pretty great.

So I think we are already seeing more anticipated drama, which I think is going to keep people tied in. So I am excited to see how things unfold.

(Editor's note: This conversation took place between the season 28 premiere and episode 2.)

What were your thoughts on the twist card?

Oh my god. Yeah, I was like "What would I do in this situation?" I will say, I respect Lea's (Cayanan) decision so much because what a mature answer. I even think taking her age (23) into consideration, not many people would have that, and especially coming on a show like this. I think that showcased her true colors and her support of Joey and why she was there in not letting whatever she did get in the way of his ultimate ending. I was like, "This is beautiful."

For me, I probably would've done the same thing, but I honestly can't say I know for sure. Because it also depends: She was there all night. We don't know when she opened the card. She probably already got an assessment of "OK, these are the girls that I am working with." I personally would've not done it on my season just because we were all so close, but I don't know, if there was a villain in the house and I was like, "you need to go," (then) probably, who knows.

Would any of your guys have used it?

Oh, absolutely. Yes.

You did the gold carpet for the "Golden Bachelor" wedding. What has "The Golden Bachelor" meant for Bachelor Nation?

I think it's exactly what Bachelor Nation needed. It was what kind of almost brought this franchise back to life. This past year was really good for the franchise.

I just am really happy to see that demographic, that age of people, find love again. ... It just spoke a lot about, when you get to that age, your life doesn't have to fit in this timeline. You don't know what to expect in our 60s or 70s. I think these women showed all of us there's so much life to still be lived. Everyone is supposed to be having these opportunities, but for us to be seeing it on a public television show like this, it has never been done before and it was done beautifully.

Honestly, I hope there's a "Golden Bachelorette." I will be tuned in.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Charity Lawson on why 'Golden Bachelor' brought franchise back to life