Bachelorette Clare Crawley on meeting Dale Moss: ‘I definitely feel like I just met my husband’

The highly anticipated premiere of The Bachelorette season 16 has finally arrived.

Clare Crawley’s upcoming season has been marred with rumors and scandal after her abrupt departure a few episodes into production. It’s believed that the 39-year-old left the show because she had supposedly fallen for suitor Dale Moss, 31, prior to filming. 

And, sparks were flying between the pair in an exclusive sneak peek of from Tuesday’s premiere, which was obtained by People. 

In the clip, Clare ‘meets’ Moss for the first time as cameras were rolling for her introductions to the 31 contestants and it was love at first sight. 

‘I’m a hugger, so I’ve got a big hug for you,’ the former football says after stepping out of the limo.

Moss grabs Crawley, who is dressed in a floor length gunmetal gown, and pulls her into an intimate embrace. 

‘I needed this,’ she told him. ‘I needed this so bad, you have no idea.’ 

The pair then exchange pleasantries but there appears to be a knowing glint in both of their eyes.  

‘I really do feel this is going to be special,’ Dale tells the California native. ‘I can’t wait to see you inside.’ 

She quips back: ‘I agree. I can’t wait either. Thank you for the great hug! That was amazing. You’re a good hugger.’

While there was definite chemistry into their brief meeting, it was what Clare said after he walked away that speaks volumes.  

‘I definitely feel like I just met my husband,’ she said burying her face in her hands. ‘I’m shaking.’

Fans have been chomping at the bit to see the interaction between Clare and Dale since she reportedly left the show a few episodes in after falling for him before the season began. There was even some unsubstantiated talk of them getting engaged already.

Clare was subsequently replaced by fan favorite Tayshia Adams to be this year’s Bachelorette and the leading ladies are said to be transitioning mid-season. 

While none of these details have yet to be confirmed, and to make matters more complicated, a recent report from Reality Steve claimed all of those details were not true, and that Clare leaving the show to be replaced with Tayshia was actually PLANNED by production. 

Crawley’s portion of the season seemingly lasted just three rose ceremonies, where she eliminated 14 of the 31 possible suitors, seven of which were on the first night.

As for the transition from Crawley to Adams, Steve admitted to not having all the details, but he said reports of, ‘Crawley refusing to film, locking herself in closets, and quitting the show to be with Dale aren’t correct.’ 

What apparently happened was Clare went into production already having a clear favorite in Dale, and it became ‘impossible to hide’ that she was into him more than everyone else before filming started. 

He added this was the first time in the history of both The Bachelor and The Bachelorette that the show’s lead got to see the contestants before filming started.

This season is being filmed in a ‘bubble’ in the La Quinta Resort in Palm Springs due to the COVID-19 pandemic which initially delayed production in March. 

‘There were also honestly so many pros to it getting shut down,’ Clare told previously told People Magazine of the delay. ‘Producers were able to recast some of the guys and get some that were more appropriate for what I was looking for.’ 

‘I wanted a guy who was genuinely there for me,’ she added. 

Among the two dozen plus suitors who were plucked to vie for Clare’s heart this season, there is a range of ages and occupations including a boy band manager, chef, and Army Ranger veteran.

Season 16 of The Bachelorette airs Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.