Clayton Echard’s extremely messy season of The Bachelor is almost over, but it’s time to turn our exhausted and limited attention to The Bachelorette. Which, FYI, starts filming this weekend (according to the all-knowing Reality Steve), so they’d better get this lead nailed down ASAP!
Anyway, ABC hasn’t revealed who the next Bachelorette is, but there’s basically no way they don’t have someone in mind already since she’ll likely be revealed during Clayton’s live “After the Final Rose” special, per usual. So...whomst is she? We have some theories on who might get the job, so let’s get right into it:
Susie Evans
Obviously Susie Evans is still very much in the running on Clayton’s season, but tons of fans think she’s a shoo-in for Bachelorette if she doesn’t get the final rose. So far Susie seems pretty great, but we have the finale of Clayton’s season left to go and lord knows The Bachelor’s editors love causing drama so...TBD how her arc shakes out. We all remember what happened with Greg Grippo, whom everyone assumed was going to be the next Bachelor until his gaslight-y breakup with Katie Thurston!
Maurissa Gunn
Maurissa Gunn and Riley Christian were one of Bachelor in Paradise’s cutest couples, but they’ve since called it quits. It’s probably slightly too soon for Maurissa to be interested in finding love on reality TV again (the breakup is pretty fresh), but fans adore her and are definitely invested in her happy ending.
Tayshia Adams
I know, we’re all holding out hope that Tayshia Adams and Zac Clark will get back together (her Likes on Twitter make it clear they’re still in touch!), but it’s poooossible Tayshia could be tapped by ABC to be Bachelorette again. Fans are completely in love with her, and it would be a ton of fun to see Kaitlyn Bristowe host her season given their close friendship. ABC has had one repeat lead in the past (Brad Womack), so there is a precedent...we’re just not sure the world is emotionally ready to move on from Tayshia and Zac quite yet!
Kelley Flanagan
With almost a million followers on Instagram, Kelley Flanagan has a huge built-in audience of fans who would tune in to her Bachelorette season. And she definitely deserves to find love after her extremely messy breakup with Peter Weber, whom she dated after he broke up with both Hannah Ann Sluss and Madison Prewett at the end of his season. Plus, as far as we know, Kelley’s currently single!
Teddi Wright
Teddi Wright may have landed in fifth place on Clayton’s season, but let’s not forget that she won his first impression rose—which is always a great sign. First impression rose winners historically *don’t* win The Bachelor (it’s happened only once!), but their names almost always end up floated for becoming franchise leads. Fans already love Teddi and she seems like an awesome person, so here’s to hoping!
Obviously, we’ll be updating this once Reality Steve spoils who the next Bachelorette is (and when ABC makes it official), but till then, vote in the polls above! Also, erm, if you do want to know how far Susie makes it on Clayton’s season (aka if she has a real shot at being Bachelorette), we have some intel at the links below. Just keep in mind that major spoilers await you!
