The Next 'Bachelorette' Leads Are Both From Matt's Season of 'The Bachelor'

One of the most exciting parts of a new season of The Bachelor is the constant analyzing and guessing as to which women will go on to be the new Bachelorette the following season. Typically, there is a fan-favorite from the contestants who make it pretty far in the show, sometimes to the final two, and sometimes even winning the show, but then later, we see the relationship fall apart (ie. Becca Kufrin). 

Matt James’ season of The Bachelor was pretty intense from the start, with women added at the drop of a hat and plenty of fighting among everyone. Fans couldn't help but wonder early on, "Who is the next pick for The Bachelorette?"

While there were a ton of theories at first, we now know there will be two Bachelorette leads in back-to-back seasons, beginning in the summer of 2021 — Katie Thurston and Michelle Young.

Instead of going head to head in the same show (thank The Bachelor gods for that one), Michelle and Katie will both lead their own seasons of The Bachelorette, one after the other. Season 17 will air with Katie sometime in the summer of 2021, followed by Michelle's season in the fall of 2021, when a typical season of The Bachelorette would air.

It makes sense that The Bachelor producers would choose both women, as Katie made waves standing up for other women on Matt's season and Michelle made it to the final two and left without that final rose. Both women announced they would be the next Bachelorette leads on the After the Final Rose special and fans were all for it.

Bri Springs had the honor of getting picked for Matt’s coveted first one-on-one date. The two rode all-terrain-vehicles around the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in western Pennsylvania where most of the show is being filmed. When they got on the same vehicle, they ended up crashing, flipping the ATV over, and rolling in the mud. 

After the scary incident, the two recovered, sharing a dip in the hot tub with some champagne. “I feel like our near-death experience really brought us closer together,” Matt told Bri.

The date led fans to believe that Bri would be given her own season of The Bachelorette if Matt did not pick her in the end. She wasn't picked by Matt or for the next couple of Bachelorette seasons, but the fact that she was a fast fan favorite could mean she'll show up on a show in The Bachelor franchise again at some point.

With Katie's season of The Bachelorette airing in the summer, when Bachelor in Paradise would typically premiere, it has left some fans wondering what the fate of the much more lax dating show is. In January 2021, ABC executive Rob Mills told Variety that producers were intent on making Bachelor in Paradise work no matter what.

If that's still the plan, then fans could see The Bachelorette airing simultaneously with Bachelor in Paradise or before or after Paradise is over for the season.

Even if there isn't a 2021 season of Bachelor in Paradise, though, the good news is that fans are getting double the amount of The Bachelorette with two women who left a lasting positive impression following Matt's season of The Bachelor.

Now, we just have to hope they are given the kind of contestants both women deserve.