Rose lovers everywhere are deep into this season of Bachelor in Paradise. The drama is the most dramatic ever with Brendan Morais and Pieper James at the center. But soon enough that will die down and Michelle Young’s season of The Bachelorette will begin. I personally hope she has a happy ending. Matt James made a terrible mistake picking Rachael Kirkconnell over Michelle. But I digress – Bachelor Nation has even more news on the horizon, including who the next star of The Bachelor will be.
Variety reports that “the next star of The Bachelor will be an unfamiliar face.” Sources told Variety that the “new leading man for Season 26” is someone named Clayton Echard. “ABC and Warner Bros. TV declined to comment for this story,” though.
Variety’s sources appear to be basing this news on photo evidence. For instance, just this week, “photos that leaked of [Clayton] Echard with a camera crew were published by E! News.” And “multiple sources tell Variety that Echard is indeed ABC’s pick, but he won’t officially be announced as ‘The Bachelor’ anytime soon,” because Michelle’s season has yet to air.
Not sure I buy this yet since it’s early and we don’t know what fan-response will be to this guy on Michelle’s season. Clayton is from Missouri and 28 years-old. Unsurprisingly, “he played college football at Mizzou,” and “was signed to the Seattle Seahawks” in 2016. His Instagram bio jokingly says he’s “a ‘washed-up athlete now trying his luck in orthopaedic sales’.” That’ll change to something Bachelor related soon enough.
People like Gregg Grippo, from Katie Thurston’s season were early picks for the role, but, “ABC opted not to go with him as the next lead” because once “his final episodes aired, he was hit with negative headlines and social media chatter when Thurston accused him of ‘gaslighting’ her.” This news must make Kaitlyn Bristowe happy!
Who knows if “sources” are correct, all we can do is buckle up for Michelle’s season. Apparently, “the team behind the franchise is said to be extremely excited about her upcoming season… which is internally being hailed as one of the best seasons in recent memory.” Bring it on!
TELL US- WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE THE NEXT BACHELOR? DO YOU THINK THIS IS JUST SPECULATION? WILL YOU BE WATCHING MICHELLE AS THE BACHELORETTE?
[Photo Credit: ABC/Craig Sjodin]
