Clare Crawley is out, and it appears Tayshia Adams is in.
On Monday, multiple outlets reported that 29-year-old Adams, a “Bachelor” alum, would replace “Bachelorette” Crawley, 39, on Season 16 of the ABC reality series, as Crawley is said to have fallen for one of her suitors early on, therefore shortening her journey.
“One of her potential guys found a way to get in touch with her and they began talking,” a source told People, noting Crawley and the gentleman in question — rumored to be former NFL star Dale Moss — connected after production was paused in March due to the coronavirus crisis.
“By the time filming officially began, they were basically already in love. No one else stood a chance. It just became so obvious from her subsequent few dates that her heart wasn’t in it and she just wasn’t feeling it. Then she said she wanted out,” the insider continued.
On Monday, a cryptic new trailer for “The Bachelorette” was released amid speculation about the forthcoming season, with the clip showing a woman’s silhouette.
Should Adams hand out roses later this year, expect Bachelor Nation to be tuning in to watch the franchise fan favorite.
She was a finalist on Colton Underwood’s season of ‘The Bachelor’
Viewers were first introduced to Adams in 2019 when she vied to Colton Underwood’s heart on Season 23 of “The Bachelor.” Though Underwood, 28, chose Cassie Randolph, he’s still supporting Adams from afar.
“Congrats @TayshiaAdams— good luck and I hope you find yourself a better kisser,” Underwood tweeted Monday in response to the rumored casting news.
She is divorced
During her time on “The Bachelor,” Adams opened up to Underwood about her divorce from husband Joshua Bourelle after less than two years of marriage.
“This past year and a half has been kind of hard for me, and it’s actually because I was married, and I got divorced,” Adams said at the time, via Life & Style. “I actually married my first boyfriend and I was with him for about six years or so.”
“You can’t make someone want to be married,” she continued.
She found love on ‘Bachelor in Paradise’
Adams got a second shot at a happily ever after on Season 6 of “Bachelor in Paradise,” connecting with Hannah Brown’s ex John Paul Jones last summer. Though they went their separate ways, the duo rekindled their romance in September.
“I talked to my mom about it and I decided I wanted to go after him,” Adams said at the time, according to People. “I’m a bold girl.”
By October, however, Adams and Jones, 24, had called it quits. Despite the breakup, it seems they’re on friendly terms as Jones recently told Us Weekly he is “really happy” for Adams as she reportedly ventures on her “Bachelorette” journey.
All of Bachelor Nation is rooting for her
Adams has all of Bachelor Nation in her corner. In response to the news of her rumored casting, several stars from the franchise, including the first black “Bachelorette, Rachel Lindsay, commended the choice.
“When I stepped in as Bachelorette, I wanted to pave a way for more diversity, for more people who look like me and who didn’t look like the typical lead,” Lindsay told “Entertainment Tonight” on Monday. “So to see another Bachelorette of color, I’m thrilled.”
Former “Bachelorette” Kaitlyn Bristowe also weighed in.
“Holy freaking plot twist of Tayshia becoming the new ‘Bachelorette,’ and Clare apparently found love,” Bristowe said Monday on her Instagram story. “I’m super pumped on this… but what is happening? The ‘Bachelor’ franchise is genius and we’re all talking about it.”
Ali Fedotowsky, who starred as “The Bachelorette” in 2010, called the casting switch “awesome,” according to “Entertainment Tonight.”
“The Bachelorette” is slated to premiere this fall on ABC.