Bachelorette gossip heats up as sources say the series might choose an older woman for season 16


The series regularly gives a second chance to Bachelor contests to find love on their own terms.

Now the Bachelorette might be shaking up its long-established routine with a new twist: an older star.

Sources familiar with the show’s casting said younger suitors have been turned away from season 16, possibly because of an older star, according to Us Weekly.

New direction: The Bachelorette may be leaning toward an older contestant, according to Us Weekly. Clare Crawley, 38, is a fan favorite and might be a logical choice; pictured in 2015

The ABC reality series will be revealing their pick soon with an announcement Monday, March 2 on Good Morning America.

A source told the magazine that the suitors seem to be skewing older to match the future Bachelorette.

‘The Bachelorette casting team turned away numerous guys in their early 20s for the upcoming season solely because of their ages,’ they said.

A source previously told Us Weekly that this year’s star would ‘be a huge surprise to fans’ and would be a ‘complete dark horse.’

Clare Crawley is a fan favorite and, at 38, would be a logical choice if the show decided to go with an older star.

She previously competed on Juan Pablo Galavis’ season of The Bachelor and has been featured on Bachelor In Paradise and Bachelor Winter Games. 

Older men: 'The Bachelorette casting team turned away numerous guys in their early 20s for the upcoming season solely because of their ages,' a source said; Tayshia Adams shown in August

Older men: ‘The Bachelorette casting team turned away numerous guys in their early 20s for the upcoming season solely because of their ages,’ a source said; Tayshia Adams shown in August

Contender: Tayshia Adams, 29, who appeared on Colton Underwood's season, is in the running for the top spot; pictured in August

Contender: Tayshia Adams, 29, who appeared on Colton Underwood’s season, is in the running for the top spot; pictured in August

Front runner: Tia Booth, 28, who Arie Luyendyk Jr.'s season, is also in the running; pictured in 2019

Front runner: Tia Booth, 28, who Arie Luyendyk Jr.’s season, is also in the running; pictured in 2019

Tayshia Adams, 29, who appeared on Colton Underwood’s season, and Tia Booth, 28, who Arie Luyendyk Jr.’s season, are both in the running as well. 

The host, Chris Harrison, has resisted attempts to nail down the new Bachelorette.

‘There’s always an opportunity for a curveball,’ he said on February 19. ‘Even when there’s somebody who’s really, really obvious from the prior season. There’s always an opportunity for something crazy from left field.’

He was referencing The Bachelor and some of its surprise casting choices. Unlike The Bachelorette, which reliably choose a runner-up from the previous season, the older show has chosen men from older seasons in recent years.

Both Arie Luyendyk Jr. from 2017 and Nick Viall from 2018 had previously been on The Bachelorette years earlier. 

New approach: Arie Luyendyk Jr. shook up the usual formula by not having competed in the previous Bachelorette season; shown in 2018

New approach: Arie Luyendyk Jr. shook up the usual formula by not having competed in the previous Bachelorette season; shown in 2018

Old school: The eldest Bachelors have been significantly older than the Bachelorettes; Brad Womack was 38 when he appeared for a second time on the series; shown in 2011

Old school: The eldest Bachelors have been significantly older than the Bachelorettes; Brad Womack was 38 when he appeared for a second time on the series; shown in 2011

Well seasoned: Byron Velvick was the oldest Bachelor to date at 40

Well seasoned: Byron Velvick was the oldest Bachelor to date at 40

‘We really do have this massive debate where people from this season, people from prior seasons, people you don’t even know are in the mix,’ Chris added during a February 25 appearance on Entertainment Tonight.

So far, 2017 Rachel Lindsay has been the oldest Bachelorette at 32, and last year’s star, Hannah Brown, was the youngest at 24.

The eldest Bachelors have been significantly older; Brad Womack was 38 when he appeared for a second time on the series, while Byron Velvick was the oldest to date at 40.

Young blood: Of course, The Bachelorette might just stick to tradition and cast a younger star. Victoria Fuller, 22, is one of the younger women being bandied about; pictured in 2015

Young blood: Of course, The Bachelorette might just stick to tradition and cast a younger star. Victoria Fuller, 22, is one of the younger women being bandied about; pictured in 2015

Even younger: Hannah Ann Sluss (L) would be the youngest Bachelorette yet at 23

Even younger: Hannah Ann Sluss (L) would be the youngest Bachelorette yet at 23

Moving on: There was also speculation that Hannah Brown might return for a second chance at love, though producers have reportedly decided on a different star; shown in December

Moving on: There was also speculation that Hannah Brown might return for a second chance at love, though producers have reportedly decided on a different star; shown in December

Of course, The Bachelorette might just stick to tradition and cast a younger star.

The leading younger contenders are thought to be Victoria Fuller, 22, Hannah Ann Sluss, 23, and Madison Prewett, 23.

There was also speculation that Hannah Brown might return for a second chance at love, though producers have reportedly decided on a different star.