With the likelihood of the 2021 Bachelorette and 2022 Bachelor being shot with the same lockdown precautions we saw for Matt as well as Clare Crawley/Tayshia Adams’ seasons, it’s fair to assume these conversations are being had behind the scenes earlier than ever before. While we don’t have any hand in how the producers think things will go down for their next lead, we’ve gathered a few guesses as to who might be in consideration, as well as our own thoughts on the likelihood of it actually occurring (on a scale between 1 and 10, 10 being the most likely to happen). Warning: Minor spoilers and speculation ahead!
Who will be the next Bachelorette in 2021?
Katie Thurston
Thurston caused quite a buzz when she showed up to meet Matt…literally, she handed him her vibrator, and she has been a topic of discussion ever since. She’s not afraid to speak her mind and go off when she’s correct–and not to mention her refreshing level of self-awareness on a show that sometimes can be surrounded by people who severely lack that. Not only does she look like fan fave contestants Kristina Schulman and Becca Kufrin, but her frank approach to dating and life could make for fascinating television. Why she could be the Bachelorette: She’s funny, she’s frank, she’s honest–have we ever seen a contestant encourage classiness and reminding others of their humanity? She’s great. Plus, Reality Steve said it’s happening. Why she won’t be the Bachelorette: Katie’s not the type to stay in the Bachelor world, and we worry she’s an early-out after her spark fades. With her sense of humor, she’s suited to become an extreme fan-favorite on Bachelor In Paradise, providing color commentary and possibly giving us a love story there. Likelihood of her getting the lead: 3/10
Bri Springs
Bri become an early frontrunner on Matt’s season, and not just because he nearly killed her with an ATV. (Really, can we discuss how dangerous that one-on-one date was?) We haven’t seen a ton of Bri, as she stays out of the drama, but considering spoilers, we know she’s here for a while. She’s gorgeous, has a good sense of humor and seems to be the type of girl they love to cast as the lead with a good head on her shoulders. Why she could be the Bachelorette: We haven’t seen a ton of her so far, so we don’t know a lot about her. Why she won’t be the Bachelorette: This writer, as a Black woman, finds it seriously unlikely the producers will give us two Black Bachelorettes in a row. We know, it’s a huge bummer. Likelihood of her getting the lead: 7/10
Kelley Flanagan
OK, hear us out. Yes, she was a part of one of the largest scandals in Bachelor history following one of the most boring seasons of The Bachelor and she was kind of a nothingburger on her own season other than her meet-cute with Peter. But Peter’s season was also nearly universally reviled due to his wishy-washiness, and we absolutely can see Bachelor producers taking the chance to throw Pilot Pete under the bus by letting Kelley “fly” as the lead. She’s also admitted to being interested in the role. Why she could be the Bachelorette: This show loves a redemption story, and with Kelley being an attorney and moving to New York, she may be their chance to get Andi Dorfman 2.0. Why she won’t be the Bachelorette: Kelley truly doesn’t have a problem talking about her issues with production and may be a bit of a liability, plus…who wants to relive Peter’s season? Likelihood of her getting the lead: 2/10
Becca Kufrin
Again, The Bachelorette loves a redemption story, and Becca’s season was one of the most…controversial in terms of contestants. Becca never left Bachelor Nation either, currently serving as one of the cohosts of the Bachelor Happy Hour podcast alongside fellow former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay, so it’s not like she’s hard to find. She’s also lamented over her decision-making during her time as the lead, saying that she would be more politically-minded in her selections if she got the chance to do it again. In December, she also told former Bachelorette (and Dancing with the Stars winner) Kaitlyn Bristoweon Bristowe’s podcast that she would be open to the concept: “I never want to say no and I’d never want to say never,” Becca shared. “But also, like, I am 30. I feel like a grandma. I love to sleep. I love my bed. I love snuggling with [her dog] Minno. As you know, when you film an entire season, like, there’s no sleep for two-plus months, and I do not know if I could do it again.” Why she could be the Bachelorette: Becca deserves the redemption, especially since her last relationship exploded so publicly, and we’ve never had a return Bachelorette. Why she won’t be the Bachelorette: Look at the men they thought were suitable for her the first time—a convicted sex predator and a Parkland shooting denier, for example—and wonder if that would give anyone pause as to whether they’d want these people in charge of selecting their love life…again. Likelihood of her getting the lead: 5/10
Abigail Heringer
From her first appearance, Abigail pretty much had the support of everyone to be the next Bachelorette. Not only did she get Matt’s first impression rose, but she’s also the first Deaf contestant on any Bachelor series. She’s fun, sweet and a clear frontrunner on the show. Why she could be the Bachelorette: After years of criticism, ABC and the production team behind The Bachelor are finally taking diversity into account. While they’ve got miles to go—remember during this season’s wedding dress challenge, all the women managed to pick out outfits from the same rack without fretting about size because there’s never been a plus-size contestant on the show—Matt being the first Black Bachelor was a big step, and a Deaf Bachelorette could attain some praise for the network. Why she won’t be the Bachelorette: Sadly, we’ve also seen a ton of hyped-up contestants get the First Impression Rose and fizzle out on the show (Spencer Robertson, we barely knew ye, and either did Tayshia). So we’ll revisit this once we know how her connection with Matt works out. Likelihood of her getting the lead: 8/10
Hannah Brown
Again, hear us out: Hannah was one of the most controversial Bachelorette picks ever—she didn’t make top 4 of her season, she was the center of the drama in her season and she was wishy-washy during her own season, plus the selecting of Jed Wyatt over Tyler Cameron put her firmly on a lot of sh*t lists for many people. But controversy gets the people going, and choosing a polarizing lead like Hannah for the second time could make Clare’s selection look tame. Why she could be the Bachelorette: Production still loves her, and they’d love to get Tyler to come back for a second shot with Hannah (even though, according to the two of them, that ship has sailed). Why she won’t be the Bachelorette: She was in negotiations to do the show again last year, apparently, but salary differences broke down in negotiation, and it’s unlikely that will change. Plus, she may be in a relationship. Likelihood of her getting the lead: 1.5/10
Michelle Young
OK, Michelle is a hot take because we don’t know anything about her—she’s one of the five women entering the show tonight, so we’re purely working on speculation here, but given her lack of social media presence and commitment to teaching, she seems to be the anti-influencer, a.k.a the kind of Cinderella story The Bachelorette loves to create. Why she could be the Bachelorette: Spoiler alert: She’s rumored to be Matt’s final 2, meaning we’re going to learn a lot about her. And unless she’s the villain (doubtful), we’ll probably fall in love with her, too. Why she won’t be the Bachelorette: We don’t know that they’ll want a lead so seemingly media-averse. Likelihood of her getting the lead: 7/10
Clare Crawley
Yes, I hear you laughing from all the way over here, but why is this such a crazy concept for some people? She may have been narrowmidned and only focused on Dale for her entire time as the lead, but she can learn from her own mistakes. I mean, Dale is making sure of that, right? Why she could be the Bachelorette:The sixth time’s a charm, we all say. Prominent voices in Bachelor Nation don’t think it’s the worst idea, and let’s be real: It would be worth it for the backlash alone. She makes great television. Why she won’t be the Bachelorette: A source close to the show told OK! there’s “no love lost” between the franchise and Crawley, but she won’t get the role again. I can’t get a more clear rejection than that, unless Chris Harrison tries to do to Clare what Andy Cohen did to Adrienne Maloof in the third season of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Likelihood of her getting the lead: -700000/10 First, find out who Matt James picks.
