The current season of “The Bachelor” hasn’t even ended, but ABC is so impressed with one of Matt James’ current competitors that the network is almost ready for its next “The Bachelorette” star.
Katie Thurston is almost sure to be the next “Bachelorette”, say sources close to the dating program Variety. Although the network has not made an absolute final decision, Thurston – who made a big noise performing with a vibrator this season – is the network’s main choice to be the next protagonist of the dating program, and two separate people familiar with the cast decision say you can certainly bet on that.
ABC refused to respond to Varietyrequest of. Warner Bros. TV, the studio behind the dating show, also declined to comment.
The network and the studio rarely comment on cast rumors that circulate around the “The Bachelor” franchise. While a well-positioned source says that Thurston being named “The Bachelorette” is a sure thing, casting decisions can always change until the last moment, so nothing is certain in Bachelor Nation.
(A few years ago, competitor Caila Quinn was essentially defined as “The Bachelorette”, with ABC even recording cameras in their hometown, but the network changed at the last minute, selecting JoJo Fletcher.)
In other words, anything can happen. However, sources say the network is already discussing promotional plans around Thurston.
Last weekend, “Bachelor” blog guru Reality Steve first tweeted that Thurston was announced as the new “Bachelorette” during the recording of the episode “Women Tell All”. Two insiders close to production count Variety that no advertisement for “The Bachelorette” was actually filmed last week. (Indeed, Steve later clarified his initial tweet and stated that an official announcement would be made soon.)
Thurston became a fan favorite on “The Bachelor”, which is currently in its 25th season. From the moment her limo arrived, when she introduced herself to James with a vibrator in hand, she was praised by fans on Twitter for her positive sex stories.
She has also emerged as a strong supporter of her fellow competitors, which is a stark contrast to some of the “bad girls” who have spent time on screen this season – and for a program that is technically focused on women fighting for the same man, Thurston’s A The “women supporting women” mentality is a breath of fresh air.