According to former Bachelor Nick Viall, the upcoming season of The Bachelorette, featuring Rachel Recchia and Gabby Windey, had some filming trouble. The Bachelorette Season 19 is making history as the show's first season to have double leads serve as the Bachelorette for the entire length of the season. The decision to have two leads was seemingly a quick one made by the show's producers. Rachel and Gabby were both finalists on The Bachelor season 26, whose lead was Clayton Echard. The two women both had strong relationships with Clayton; however, Susie Evans, another participant on the season, was ultimately who Clayton chose to be with. Bachelor Nation fans took a great liking to Rachel and Gabby and instead of choosing which break-out star should be the next Bachelorette, the producers decided to choose them both.
Once the announcement was made, many expressed their excitement for The Bachelorette to follow this format, but were unsure of how the season would work. Some believed that the women would be placed in competition with each other, and others felt as though having doubling leads would not make for a good season. It was later revealed that the format will remain the same until the third rose ceremony, where Rachel and Gabby will distribute roses to men they are interested in. After this, the series will follow both of the women's love journeys with the men they have chosen.
On his podcast, Viall Files, Nick said that he spoke to producers of the show and they admitted that this season of The Bachelorette wasn't easy to film. "They said it was hell to film because they decided to have two Bachelorettes, like, last second," Nick commented. "So the scheduling was for one Bachelorette. They had to jam it all in." Former Bachelor Nick also revealed that because of the stress behind filming the season, producers will likely not follow this format again. "The people I talk to, they hope they never do it again. Just because of the logistics," he said. The Bachelor Nation alum mentioned that portions of the show will take place on a cruise ship and the ship is what presented many challenges for producers.
Nick also spoke about the rules of the show and how the women will interact with the men, commenting that the show will seem similar to Bachelor In Paradise. "The thing about Paradise, what makes it different is people have options," Nick said, but for Gabby and Rachel's season of The Bachelorette, "My understanding is early on, they’re very much going to be dividing up the men, like, each will basically [have] their respective season. It would be like if two friends go to a bar and after the first night, they just decide—or go to a party and be like, ‘Who are you into?’ And they just kind of just decide." Viall mentioned that the show's producers are doing their best to ensure the women are working together rather than being in a competition.
Based on Nick's teasers for The Bachelorette season 19, it seems fans have a lot to look forward to. Jesse Palmer will serve as the show's host, even though he is not the favorite of many Bachelor Nation fans. Rachel and Gabby will soon have the opportunity to choose from 32 potential suitors, some of whom fans have already fallen for.
The Bachelorette is set to premiere on ABC on July 11.
Source: Viall Files/Podcast