‘The Bachelorette’ Replaces Clare Crawley With Tayshia Adams, Colton Underwood Reacts

As if a quarantined season of The Bachelorette could get even more wild, Tayshia Adams is reportedly replacing Clare Crawley as the Bachelorette. The ABC reality show has cast a new lead for season 16, roughly two weeks into filming.

“She Said She Wanted Out”

A source with knowledge of the situation explains that Crawley fell in love with one of her original suitors after the coronavirus pandemic delayed production in March.

“One of her potential guys found a way to get in touch with her and they began talking,” the source explains. “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 shocking update comes just weeks after production officially began on the 18th season of the reality series. Unlike past seasons, where contestants travel around the world on a journey to find love. Clare and the contestants were to remain isolated at a Palm Springs, California resort for the entire duration of filming. A whopping 42 men were announced as contestants, presumably because alternates were needed if any tested positive for COVID-19.

Fan Speculations and Rumors

Clare, who at 39 would have been the oldest lead in Bachelorette history, faced a rocky start to her season when the coronavirus pandemic delayed production. Fans initially began speculating about Crawley’s status on the show after Reality Steve tweeted a Reddit theory that alleges she was being recast. Crawley added fuel to the rumours when she liked a tweet about Adams being her successor. “I’m sure many would be thrilled with Tayshia, too!!” read the tweet, The like has since been removed by Crawley’s account.

“The most dramatic season ever?”

An unnamed news source revealed, “The producers have told her that the season will still lead with Clare and her short-lived journey, and will show Clare falling in love with one of her suitors.” Clare will then conclude her journey and announce that Tayshia is the lead.” The source says Crawley did leave on good terms with producers, but it’s unclear how the season will pan out now, as filming is still underway.

Insiders have claimed that this cycle is ‘really the most dramatic season ever.’ “There’s more to the story than just [Clare] falling for someone and not wanting to see what else could happen with other men,” the insider teased.

“I am ready for love!”

Adams, a 29-year-old former phlebotomist from California’s Orange County, entered Bachelor Nation on Colton Underwood’s season of “The Bachelor.” She also went on to appear on “Bachelor in Paradise” last summer. Adams connected with John Paul Jones on the show, and they pursued a relationship after filming, but announced their split last October.

“Tayshia was game and ready to go,” the source says. “What remains to be seen is if more men will be brought in now to give Tayshia a full roster of suitors.”

Adams, who was in the running to be the Bachelorette this cycle alongside Crawley and Tia Booth, spoke in an interview days before Crawley’s announcement. When asked about her feelings on getting the gig, she replied, “I don’t know if I can say yes or no!” Adams said with a laugh. “I plead the fifth! Anything that comes my way, I am ready for.” She added, “I am ready for love!”

“I hope you find yourself a better kisser!”

Colton Underwood hilariously poked fun at himself on hearing the news. “Congrats @TayshiaAdams. Good luck and I hope you find yourself a better kisser,” Underwood tweeted on Monday. As fans may recall, Underwood’s hilarious tweet is in reference to Adams admitting on Bachelor in Paradise last September that Underwood’s kissing technique needed work.

“Yeah, not gonna lie,” Adams said on BIP, agreeing with Caitlin Clemmens and Sydney Lotuaco, who also criticized Underwood’s lip-locking abilities. “But he got better by the end of the season. I think I’m a good teacher,” Tayshia added.

Adams made it to the final three of Colton’s season before he ended things with her and Hannah Godwin to fight for Cassie Randolph after she left. Underwood and Randolph have since split.

A premiere date for season 16 of The Bachelorette has not yet been announced. However, it was expected to air in late September/early October.