LOS ANGELES, Calif. – For the first time in its 16 seasons, “The Bachelorette” is switching up its leading lady mid-season, according to multiple reports.
Sources tell People Magazine, E! News and Entertainment Tonight that Clare Crawley is being replaced by Tayshia Adams on the upcoming season.
Sources tell the news outlets that Crawley fell in love with one of her suitors early in the process and her short journey will be shown on the show before handing things over to Adams.
Fans will recognize Adams from Colton Underwood’s season of the “The Bachelor” and the previous season of “Bachelor in Paradise.”
The 29-year-old will become only the second Black woman to lead the ABC reality show.
The first Black lead, Rachel Lindsay, spoke to exclusively to ETabout the development. Lindsay said she’s “thrilled” by the news after fighting for more Black representation on the show.
"I have been fighting for inclusion, and I‘ve said before that Tayshia would be an excellent Bachelorette, so I am more than happy to pass the torch," Lindsay told ET in a statement.
Though ABC has not yet confirmed the casting news, the show tweeted Monday night that it would return "soon" on Tuesdays.
#TheBachelorette 🌹. Coming soon to Tuesdays on ABC. pic.twitter.com/JbDRm5AgOv
— The Bachelorette (@BacheloretteABC) August 4, 2020
