The Bachelorette was set to start filming its 16th season on Friday, which has now been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The season, which centers around 38-year-old Clare Crawley, was supposed to have a full day of filming on Friday but it has been delayed until Sunday, which is also a tentative plan, according to TMZ.
The show is set to debut on May 18, although it is not yet known if that will also be delayed.
Hours later, Andy Cohen announced on social media Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen is also suspending production.
Delay: The Bachelorette was set to start filming its 16th season on Friday, which has now been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic
Andy wrote in the statement, which was shared on Twitter and Instagram, read: ‘As a precautionary measure starting Friday, March 13, “Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen” will suspend production. With the exception of an already recorded episode airing on 3/19, there will be no new episodes for the time being. The situation is being monitored and we will notify our audience when we resume our live production.’
The Bachelorette contestants for the upcoming season were revealed on Wednesday, with men ranging in age from early 20s to 42.
Clare has made four appearances in the Bachelor world; she made her debut on Bachelor in 2014 on Juan Pablo Galavis’ season.
She famously told him off after he dumped her on the finale and chose the other contestant Nikki Ferrell; she told him: ‘I would never want my children having a father like you.’
The Sacramento-based hairstylist starred on seasons one and two of Bachelor in Paradise in 2014 and 2015.
Postponed: The season, which centers around 38-year-old Clare Crawley, was supposed to have a full day of filming on Friday but it has been delayed until Sunday, which is also a tentative plan, according to TMZ .
Latest: Hours later, Andy Cohen announced on social media Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen is also suspending production
Three years later, she appeared on The Bachelor Winter Games, where she got engaged to Benoit Beausejour-Savard.
However the duo called off their brief engagement in April 2018.
The Bachelorette is set to be her fifth appearance in the franchise at the age of 38.
Her handsome suitors were revealed on the show’s Facebook page, with one familiar face – the incredibly good-looking pal and roommate of former Bachelorette contestant Tyler Cameron – Matt James.
Prior to her reveal as the new Bachlorette, the show hastily sought older contestants in favor of men in their early 20s – according to Us Weekly – which led some to assume she was the logical choice.
Focused: Andy wrote in the statement, which was shared on Twitter and Instagram; pictured with Vicki Gunvalson
Star: The show is set to debut on May 16, although it is not yet known if that will also be delayed
Multiple suitors appear to be in their 30s and one in his early 40s – one man aged 42.
However most of the men are in their mid-20s.
On Thursday, Peter Weber and Madison Prewett anounced their split, two days after they dramatically reunited on The Bachelor’s live finale.
On the finale, Peter revealed he abruptly split from Hannah Ann Sluss and reunited with Madison, much to his mother Barbara’s disapproval.
The Coronavirus pandemic has led to Hollywood premieres to be delayed, including A Quiet Place 2 and the new Fast & Furious installment.
South X Southwest, CinemaCon, Coachella were also canceled, with the NBA, NHL and the MLB have postponed games.
Disneyland, Disney California Advernture Parks, Disneyworld and Disneyland Paris as well as Universal Hollywood and Universal Orlando announced closures.
Several late night shows revealed they are suspending filming, including The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.
Every theater on Broadway has shut down, including New York’s Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic.
Dozens of shows have postponed filming with the latest on Thursday being The Price Is Right (with a delay of two weeks), Grey’s Anatomy, Apple’s The Morning Show, Netflix’s The Prom as well.
On Friday afternoon, the number of cases in America reached 2,037 with 43 deaths.
As of Friday, March 13th, the show’s premiere date of Monday, May 18 at 8 pm ET on ABC still stands.
Beauty: As of Friday, March 13th, the show’s premiere date of Monday, May 18 at 8 pm ET on ABC still stands