Reality Steve Just Released New Men Competing On The Next ‘Bachelorette’
Anybody else unexpectedly find Matt James' season as The Bachelor to be a bit of a snooze? No offense to Matt, who seems like a stand-up guy and doesn't tolerate any bullying, but the cattiness is overshadowing his journey. Perhaps it's the over-the-top manufactured drama or far too little time given to adorable one-on-one dates, but I'm more than ready for The Bachelorette.
Good news, it's set to start filming this week back on schedule. "They’re already there, like, at least they’re quarantining for it. There’s no pause on it," former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay revealed on the "Bachelor Party" podcast. "I have heard that there are several people of color who have removed themselves from the show, that were a part of casting for this current season."
TBD on how that will affect the next Bachelorette—or who that even is. ABC has yet to release her name publicly, but thankfully Reality Steve has already pinpointed the next Bachelorette, some of the suitors, and a surprise "curveball" to boot. (More on those major spoilers in a sec.)
Tradition dictates that the next Bachelorette will very likely come from Matt's crop of rejected girlfriends. But she could also hail from a previous season if she finished in the final four. Take it from Reality Steve: "Of the 17 Bachelorettes we’ve had, only ONE finished outside the top 4 of their season, and that was Hannah Brown. Doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen again, but the odds seem to be unlikely." Also worth noting: The next Bachelorette will be chosen from previous contestants, ABC executive Robert Mills told Variety. “I would say with 99.9% certainly, The Bachelorette is going to be someone who comes from one of our previous seasons. Probably Matt’s, but at least someone who is familiar to Bachelor Nation."
Okay, but who? When?! If previous seasons are any indication, the announcement will likely be made during the "After the Final Rose" special, although that doesn’t happen all the time. Clare Crawley, for example, was announced as Bachelorette on Good Morning America. And, given that "ATFR" is going to be hosted by best-selling author and former NFL player Emmanuel Acho, who obviously has some important topics to tackle, it’s clear that this part of the series will be anything but typical.
That said, someone will be chosen and announced at some point (right?).
Here are eight women ABC could choose as the next Bachelorette:
1. Kelley Flannagan
Why she could be the next Bachelorette: She said she's up for the gig. One fan asked on Instagram stories, "True or False? You would [be] the bachelorette if you were asked..." Kelley replied: "I would definitely consider it!"
Kelley's also single as of 2021 after a New Year's Eve breakup announcement with Peter Weber.
What's working against her: Kelley has already spoken out against the franchise, so it doesn't seem like that 'ship is going well enough to get a big promotion if you ask me. On top of that, she and Peter may be "working on their relationship" and giving their romance another go after a Super Bowl event reunion in Tampa Bay, E News reported.
2. Hannah Ann Sluss
Why she could be the next Bachelorette: She accepted Pilot Pete's proposal and technically won his season before their dramatic breakup. The split got fans talking about her Bachelorette prospects, a la Becca Kufrin, back when it went down in 2020.
What's working against her: Hannah Ann's recent Instagram posts have more Paradise than Bachelorette vibes, so she may be aiming for a televised beach vacay instead.
3. Kendall Long
Why she could be the next Bachelorette: She's single following a split from former contestant Joe and finished in Arie's final four. Reality Steve named her as one of the few real possibilities from previous seasons, and he knows his stuff.
What's working against her: Arie's Bachelor season feels like a lifetime ago, no? More recent contestants could overtake her.
4. Tia Booth
Why she could be the next Bachelorette: It's public knowledge that Tia was considered Bachelorette material as recently as 2020. Her Insta feed is polished and prepped for the gig, too.
What's working against her: Well, she was officially in the running to be The Bachelorette for season 16. She wasn't chosen then, while the other two contenders, Tayshia Adams and Clare Crawley, went on to star.
5. Bri Springs
Why she could be the next Bachelorette: She's already gotten vulnerable, revealing her upbringing and insecurities, on Matt's season of The Bachelor and clearly has charisma. Bri's also totally open to getting down and dirty on four wheelers. Bri makes it to Matt's final three, too.
What's working against her: Ummm nothing? She has gotten some heat on recent travel pics on Instagram, but that's about it.
6. Serena Pitt
Why she could be the next Bachelorette: When The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Canada was the planned filming location, rumors went flying that Canuck Serena would be the star. She's also been keeping it real on Matt's season, saying "I'm falling in like," instead of jumping to love after one date. FWIW, Serena made it to final four and hometowns before self-eliminating.
What's working against her: It's hard to find a reason not to pick her, tbh. However, she didn't seem ready to put a big sparkler on her ring finger.
WARNING: Major spoilers for Matt James' Bachelor season ahead!
7. Katie Thurston
Why she could be the next Bachelorette: Reality Steve says so. He shared the tea in a tweet after the "Women Tell All" special filmed this weekend and clarified when to expect the announcement. Steve wrote on Twitter, "Katie was NOT announced as Bachette [sic] at WTA. Message I got was 'it’s Katie and it came out at WTA.' I thought that meant it happened there. But I’ve been told it’s confirmed it’s Katie and she’ll be named this week."
In regards to this tweet from Sat night, it’s wrong...& right. Katie was NOT announced as Bachette at WTA. Message I got was “it’s Katie and it came out at WTA.” I thought that meant it happened there.
But I’ve been told it’s confirmed it’s Katie and she’ll be named this week. https://t.co/IWHGUe6C5w— RealitySteve (@RealitySteve) February 8, 2021
Steve doubled down on the Katie prediction on March 3 with a tweet that said, "(SPOILER): The more things change, the more they stay the same. The original spoiler I reported seems to be correct. Katie Thurston is set to be announced as the 'Bachelorette' in the coming days."
The choice seemed uncertain amid the ongoing Chris Harrison controversy, but Reality Steve re-confirming his confirmation has to mean something. Katie’s Instagram posts have also been spotty lately—she hasn’t posted in six days—and future Bachelor and Bachelorette stars tend to keep a low profile before their casting is announced. (Let us all remember Tayshia Adams casually going MIA on social before re-emerging in the La Quinta pool!) So, the question at this point seems to be less who, more when.
And, Steve has already started releasing contestant names on Twitter. There are six dudes ranging in age from 25 to 34, who he says could be competing for Katie's heart. So far, he's shared that Quartney Mixon, Brendan Scanzano, Jeff Caravello, Conor Costello, Hunter Montgomery, and Landon Goesling all could appear on the next season of The Bachelorette.
(UPDATE): Katie’s season begins filming next wknd. Which means the Bachelorette Facebook page should be releasing the guys that are possibilities to be on her season around mid week. We don’t know how many get released versus how many end up making it, but here are some of them:
— RealitySteve (@RealitySteve) March 14, 2021
In addition to Steve's stellar spoiler track record, Katie has also shown her maturity, sense of humor, and emotional sides throughout Matt's dramatic, heavily produced season. And, former Bachelorette Trista Sutter is a fan who "would really love to see her" as the lead.
What's working against her: She didn't finish in Matt's final four—or anywhere close. She was eliminated after her one-on-one date several weeks before hometowns. Katie also responded to The Bachelorette rumors and wrote, "reading my texts this morning like...news to me." Plus, you can't ignore Chris downright refuting the Katie speculation. And Trista thinks Katie's next step is more likely Bachelor in Paradise.
Still, plenty of people stan Katie hard—and that only increased after she showed her extreme maturity and awesomeness (again) during the "Women Tell All" special.
8. Michelle Young
Why she could be the next Bachelorette: Did you see her shine on her first one-on-one date with Matt James and every date since then? I rest my case. BUT she also finishes in the final two. Michelle is definitely on the show for the "right reasons"—her Instagram account is practically brand new.
Not only that, but Reality Steve says so. He dropped a "twist" and "curveball" in his latest blog post, revealing that Michelle will be The Bachelorette, too.
Thankfully, it's not another double leading lady situation a la Clare Crawley and Tayshia Adams. The teacher will have her own season, filmed during the summer so she doesn't have to miss classroom time with her students. "Michelle’s 'Bachelorette' season will film sometime after BIP films (most likely all of July) and air later on in the fall... The reason is that Michelle did not want to leave her class again to start filming in a few weeks (meaning she’d miss most of the remainder of her school year), hence the reason she is getting her own season this summer when she’s out of school," Reality Steve wrote.
What's working against her: As a newbie, she may not have enough franchise clout/following to put her over the top.
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