After a dozen Bachelorettes and two decades of Bachelors, ABC has finally chosen a woman of color as the lead. Yes, following weeks of rumors, it's official: Rachel Lindsay will be the Bachelorette next season. YAY!!! She is, hands down, the perfect choice.
The news was announced on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on February 13. "I'm ready to find love, find a husband, so you if you know anybody out there who needs to apply, sign up, go ahead and get started," Lindsay joked to Jimmy Kimmel. "I'm looking for someone who's looking for what I'm looking for....[someone who] can make me laugh."
And it turns out she's been keeping this a secret from us for a while now: "It wasn't that long after I got off the show that I was approached," she revealed. "But I honestly thought they were doing it to make me feel better from the heartbreak. And then, as it kept going, I realized they're serious about this thing."
This is a major milestone for the franchise, which has long been criticized for its lack of diversity—especially when it comes to the leads. The only non-white Bachelor was Juan Pablo Galavis, who is Latino. And now, Rachel Lindsay is the first woman of color to ever headline a season of The Bachelorette. Audiences fell in love with her from the start on Nick Viall's season of The Bachelor when she won the first impression rose. Along the way, the Texas-based lawyer has shown how poised, smart, mature, and sweet she is—and we're so glad the producers took notice.
Thanks to @jimmykimmellive for the announcement, and congratulations to our new Bachelorette! #TheBachelorette pic.twitter.com/jorMajRnfn— The Bachelorette (@BacheloretteABC) 14 February 2017
