Sacramento stylist is new ‘Bachelorette’
Clare Crawley will be looking for love when Season 16 launches in May
A Sacramento hairstylist will be handing out the roses on the next season of “The Bachelorette.”
Bet you didn’t predict that one. As announced Monday by ABC, Clare Crawley has been named as the franchise’s newest leading lady.
Season 16 of “The Bachelorette” is set to premiere at 8 p.m. May 18 on ABC.
She appeared on Season 18 of “The Bachelor” in 2014, the first two seasons of “Bachelor in Paradise” and on 2018’s “The Bachelor: Winter Games.” Crawley’s selection is a bit of a surprise, if only because the Bachelorette is traditionally someone who was featured on the most recent run of “The Bachelor.”
At 38, she is also the oldest Bachelorette ever. For comparison’s sake, none of the three finalists on this season of “The Bachelor” are over 25.
“A lot of people put that out as a negative,” Crawley said during a “Good Morning America” interview in which she addressed her age. “But for me, it’s just more years under my belt, more learning what I want and don’t want and what I won’t settle for.”
In a statement accompanying, ABC pointed out that Crawley had women across America “cheering from their living rooms” when she famously stood up to controversial Bachelor Juan Pablo during the memorable Season 18 finale of “Bachelor.”
“With her head held high, Clare left the season with a new sense of self-worth and a determination to never settle for anything less than the unconditional love and respect that she deserved,” ABC’s statement said.
“After Juan Pablo, Clare decided to give love another chance on ‘Bachelor in Paradise,’ seasons one and two, but ultimately left both alone. She returned for ‘Bachelor Winter Games,’ and it was there that she met Benoit, the charming romantic with the French accent from ‘The Bachelorette Canada.’
“Benoit showed Clare the romance she longed for, and when he got down on one knee to propose, Clare thought she had finally found her happily ever after. Unfortunately, over time they came to the realization that marriage wasn’t in the cards for them, however, the two remain friends to this day.”
According to her ABC bio, Crawley enjoys spending her days playing with her two dogs Elby and Honey, doing yoga and hiking with friends.
“She loves her career as a hairstylist and hopes to style the man of her dreams one day. She looks up to her late father as an example of the man she hopes to marry, someone strong and compassionate that can live life to the fullest, just like her!”