Former The Bachelorette star Mike Johnson has finally gone on a first date with pop mega-star Demi Lovato, after weeks of speculation and social media flirting. It seems they're finally getting to know each other.
Johnson was a contestant on the most recent season of The Bachelorette and though he didn't win the heart of Hannah Brown, he won the heart of Bachelor Nation fans - and he attracted the attention of Lovato. Throughout the airing of the season, Lovato was open about her interest in Johnson, at one point posting an Instagram story with the caption "Mike I accept your rose" after the Southern-belle lead sent Johnson home right before hometown dates. Following his time on The Bachelorette, Johnson made an appearance on Bachelor in Paradise but yet again had no luck finding love in the Bachelor Nation world. Though fans were disappointed the Air Force veteran didn't find love on the beaches of Mexico, it also made fans hopeful that Johnson could still be in the running to be the next The Bachelor lead, as ABC has not yet announced who would be stepping in the role for the upcoming season. It seems though that Lovato may be the one getting Johnson's final rose, or at least a one-on-one date.
A source has revealed (via E! News) that Johnson and Lovato have gone on a first date and they are continuing to explore their relationship. In August 2019, Johnson said in an interview that he had not yet connected with Lovato but the pair has managed to find a time to meet up because the source said: "they did go on a date and it's been going well." Just last week the 27-year-old pop star posted an unedited bikini pic to her Instagram page, which Johnson commented on, writing "Look at me like that again … Love yaself."
The source also said that the pair seem to have a lot in common and that they're "enjoying getting to know each other." On top of the reveal that the pair had a first date, Johnson seems to have confirmed that a follow-up date is in the works, based on an Instagram comment. The Bachelorette's Tyler Cameron, who is currently dating model Gigi Hadid, posted a shirtless picture to his Instagram page on September 5th and Johnson commented, "So if we do this dbl date, your shirt stays on," implying that a Cameron-Hadid and Johnson-Lovato double date might be happening in the near future.
Though Johnson had the potential to be the next lead of The Bachelor and fans were hoping he would take on the role as the popular franchise's first Black bachelor, it seems that - for now - he will stick to dating just one woman at a time, and it seems he's chosen Lovato. With both Johnson and Cameron finding love with celebrities following their season, maybe this trend will continue with future contestants as well. With both fan-favorite gentlemen out of the competition, it seems likely that either The Bachelorette's pilot Peter Webb or two-time Bachelor in Paradise star Derek Peth will be chosen as the next lead. ABC is set to announce who they've chosen on September 17th at the Bachelor in Paradise season 6 reunion special.
Source: E! News