Next up? New Bachelorette Michelle Young, whose season of The Bachelorette (a.k.a. Season 18) debuted Tues., Oct. 19 on ABC—and wasted no time bringing the drama. On the season premiere, Michelle kicked one guy off the show for showing up with crib notes on how to make a successful showing on the series. Then, contestant Jamie Skaar got the boot a couple weeks later after he started a bizarre rumor that Michelle had history with fellow Minnesotan Joe Coleman. Apeaking of Minnesota—the whole cast (well, what was left of them at that point) later headed to the Gopher State to get a taste of Michelle’s hometown vibes. Michelle was runner-up on Matt James’ season of The Bachelor—a season that likewise came with more than its share of both on-camera and behind-the-scenes drama (which, among other things, ultimately led to longtime host Chris Harrison’s departure). Still, Young told The Hollywood Reporter in an Oct. 19 interview that she was up for the task of being the next Bachelorette not just because she was still looking for love, but because she wanted to help move the show toward more inclusivity. “I think the biggest reason of why I said yes is because how the process challenges you as a person to open up, to stay vulnerable, all of these different things,” she explained. “I knew that I could potentially find my person, and walking into that, I also knew that I’d be able to truly represent who I am—who I am as a woman of color, who I am as a teacher and just carry myself in the same way that I always would. That took a lot of pressure off my shoulders, just because regardless of everything that was going on around me, I know that I was able to stay focused.” With only one episode left—the two-hour finale is set for Tuesday, Dec. 21, followed by the live “After the Final Rose” special—let’s recap everything we know about The Bachelorette Season 18 with Michelle Young, including how it may end.
Who is the Bachelorette for Season 18?
Michelle was a contestant on Matt’s season of The Bachelor (a.k.a. Season 25) in early 2021. She hails from St. Louis Park, Minnesota, which is a suburb outside Minneapolis. Her casting as one of 2021’s two Bachelorettes was announced back in March 2021 by NFL player-turned-TV personality Emmanuel Acho when he hosted the After the Final Rose special following the end of Matt’s stint as the Bachelor. On the special, Michelle said about her upcoming season, “I am ready… I do think this process works. When you can set down all of these outside distractions and dive in, I think you can really learn a lot about somebody. I’m just excited. I’m ready to get started.” Michelle went to college at Bradley University in Illinois, where she was a Division I basketball player, and now works as an elementary school teacher, according to her Bachelor bio. She reportedly asked to wait to film her Bachelorette season until her school’s summer break so she wouldn’t have to be away from her students. Another sign that Michelle’s not your typical Bachelor Nation contestant? She didn’t even get on Instagram until April 2020, right around the time she joined the cast of The Bachelor. It’s no wonder she quickly became a fan favorite on the show for being sweet, confident, and drama-free. Here’s some more from her Bachelor bio: “Admittedly, she is an over-worker and says she is here because she is ready to find love and a man with whom to start a family. As a partner, she describes herself as loyal, compassionate and supportive, and shows love through acts of service. Her dream man is confident but not cocky and will look at her as his equal in all things. When Michelle’s not working, she loves to spend time with friends hiking and wine tasting. She is very adventurous in life and in appetite; she says that all of her favorite restaurants are local food trucks. Michelle has big dreams for the future and says she wants a man by her side that is supportive and driven to make the world a better place. She is looking for the superman to her superwoman and says that, together, she hopes that she and Matt can fall in love and change the world.”
What is Michelle Young’s age?
Michelle was born on June 3, 1993, which makes her 28 years old heading into the Season 18 premiere of The Bachelorette. She was 27 when she vied for Matt’s affections on TheBachelor in 2020. Ironically, this make Young slightly old when it comes to the average age of female Bachelor Nation hopefuls. In January 2020, Insider reported that “the average woman who appeared on The Bachelor was a little over 26, while the average man on The Bachelorette was 29.”
When did Michelle’s Bachelorette season premiere?
Michelle’s season of TheBachelorette premiered Tues., Oct. 19, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
Who’s hosting Michelle’s season of The Bachelorette?
Kaitlyn Bristowe and Tayshia Adams are back as co-hosts of The Bachelorette after Chris Harrison’s departure earlier this year. Variety reports that both women have signed contracts to help with Michelle’s journey, and—get this—they have multi-year options. Meaning, they could be back for more seasons.
Where did Michelle’s season of The Bachelorette film?
Filming took place at a few different locations, according to Reality Steve. It started off at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort and Spa in Indian Wells, California, before moving to Michelle’s home state of Minnesota. There, at least some filming took place at the historic Semple Mansion. It looks like filming went international at some point, too. Reality Steve later shared that the overnight dates and final rose ceremony were filmed in Punta de Mita, Mexico.
Who are Michelle’s contestants on The Bachelorette Season 18?
Michelle had 35 men originally competing for her heart this season. (She’s now down to three!) Entertainment Tonight has reported that they ranged in age from 25 to 36 years old and that, in addition to the U.S., contestants come from Jamaica, Canada and the Dominican Republic. You can take a look here at all of the men vying for her final rose.
What happened between Michelle and Matt on The Bachelor Season 25?
Michelle was one of the five women to enter Matt’s season late, but the two made up for lost time with their instant chemistry. Michelle not only quickly became a frontrunner on the show; she even won over Matt’s mom Patty, who said she was “the one” for her son. After Michelle gave Matt a pair of athletic jerseys that said “Mr. and Mrs. James” during their final date, he panicked and made it clear that he wasn’t sure he was ready for an engagement. Matt broke up with Michelle during that date and left her in tears.
Are there any Bachelorette Season 18 spoilers?
At the start of Season 18, yes, there were a ton of spoilers. First, Michelle told Entertainment Tonight that viewers should keep their eyes focused on three particular potential paramours: Clayton Echard (who’s already been named the next Bachelor), Rodney Matthews (a 29-year-old sales rep from California who finished fourth) and Jamie Skaar (the 32-year-old biotech CEO from Tacoma, Washington, who turned out to be a Season 18 villain). “Clayton’s a sweetheart,” Michelle told the outlet. “I think you’ll really get to know him a little bit… [also] apple of my eye, Rodney—there’s a lot to see there.” She also divulged that Jamie will be her “first one-on-one.” That one-on-one with Jamie took place on Season 18’s Episode 2, and while it seemed to go really well (and featured Jamie opening up about some tough times in his past), he then turned on a dime later in the episode and became the season’s villain! Jamie started a rumor that Michelle was already “boo’d up” back home in Minnesota, then pulled Michelle aside in private to tell her that the other guys in the house felt they couldn’t trust her (which was blatantly untrue; in fact, it seemed most of the suitors in the house had yet to even hear about the very rumor Jamie had started). Michelle was super-upset and canceled that night’s cocktail party, so expect her concerns to spill over big-time into Episode 3 and possibly beyond. But back to Michelle’s future: In August 2021, Reality Steve shared some pics that showed her on one-on-one dates in the Minneapolis area with two different suitors: JoeColeman, a fellow Minnesota native who attended a Twins/Rays baseball game with her (who got booted the week before the finale), and Nayte Olukoya, who went boating with Michelle and a female friend of hers on Lake Minnetonka. If these two guys were battling it out for Michelle in a game of one-on-one, it appears Joe would have the advantage, because he and Michelle were also caught on camera in a lip lock. More recently, Reality Steve shared on his blog that he has a photo of Michelle jet-skiing with a man in Mexico. “However, it was from a bit of a distance, and I can’t make out which guy it was,” he noted. “So until I know for sure who it is and until I find out who the other guy is in the final two, then I’ll let you know.” Well, as of October 2021, it seems Reality Steve now knows. He’s claimed that Michelle’s final two will be Brandon Jones (a 26-year-old traveling nurse recruiter from Portland, Oregon) and Nayte Olukoya (a 27-year-old sales executive from Winnipeg, Canada). Reality Steve has further postulated that Brandon will be the runner-up and that Nayte winds up as Michelle fiancé.
Does Michelle Young get engaged on The Bachelorette?
Given Reality Steve’s predictions (see above), odds are high that Michelle will be engaged at the end of Season 18. From what she’s said about looking for love in Bachelor Nation, Young is more than ready to meet her future fiancé. “I really do think this process works,” she said on the March 2021 After the Final Rose special. “When you get to set down all the outside distractions and really dive in, I think you can learn a lot about somebody. I’m just excited. I’m ready to get started.” In the meantime, Young’s predecessor has some words of wisdom for her. “I think the biggest advice I’ve given her is to just be open. Don’t close yourself off too early,” Thurston told EntertainmentTonight earlier this year. “I think guys can surprise you… weeks later when you don’t expect it.” Next, Who Is Clayton Echard, the Rumored New Bachelor? Everything We Know About the Alleged Season 26 Star
