The current season of ‘The Bachelor’ has not even come to an end, but ABC is so impressed with one of Matt James’ current contestants, and the network is almost set on its next star of ‘The Bachelorette’.
Katie Thurston is definitely the next ‘Bachelorette’, according to sources close to the dating program Variety. While the network has not yet made a final decision, Thurston, who has made it a great pleasure this season to present her with a vibrator, but it’s the network’s best choice to become the next leading lady of to be the dating show, and two separate people who are familiar with the casting decision say you can definitely bet on it.
ABC declined to comment Variety‘s request. TV, the studio behind the dating program, also declined to comment.
The network and studio rarely comment on decisive rumors spreading around the ‘The Bachelor’ franchise. While a well-placed source says that Thurston is called ‘The Bachelorette’, it is certainly a decisive matter, but decisions about decisive decisions can always change until the last minute, and therefore nothing is certain in Bachelor Nation.
(A few years ago, contestant Caila Quinn was essentially ‘The Bachelorette’, with ABC even rolling cameras in her hometown, but the network pulled one last switch and eventually chose JoJo Fletcher.)
In other words, anything can happen. However, insiders say the network is already discussing promo plans around Thurston.
This past weekend, “Bachelor” blog guru Reality Steve came first tweeted that Thurston was announced as the new “Bachelorette” during the recording of the episode “Women Tell All”. Two insiders told close to production Variety that no announcement regarding “The Bachelorette” was actually made last week. (Reality Steve later clarified his initial tweet, saying that an official announcement will be coming soon.)
Thurston became a fan favorite on ‘The Bachelor’, which is currently airing its 25th season. From the moment her limousine arrives when she introduces herself to James with a vibrator in hand, she is praised on Twitter for her sex-positive storylines.
She also emerged as a fierce supporter of her fellow female contestants, which is a stark contrast to some of the “mean girls” who have gained screen time this season – and for a show that is technically focused on women who fights for the same man, Thurston. ‘Women who support women’ mentality is a breath of fresh air.