The Bachelorette season 19 has kicked off after months of anticipation, and with Gabby Windey and Rachel Recchia returning to television as co-leads, here's who received each woman's first impression rose. Gabby, a nurse from Illinois, and Rachel, a flight instructor from Florida, were first introduced to fans on The Bachelor season 26. Although both women were interested in Clayton Echard, and each felt a genuine connection with him, Clayton ended his controversial Bachelor season by dumping both women during the finale.
Gabby and Rachel were both heartbroken when Clayton dropped another bombshell, saying that he was intimate with both women and eventual winner, Susie Evans. Viewers immediately petitioned ABC to cast Gabby and Rachel as co-leads for The Bachelorette season 19, and producers did hire the two women. After months of waiting, their season debuted on July 11, with 32 contestants ready to meet both females. Although The Bachelorette seasons 11 and 16 each featured two leads, season 19 is the first installment to feature co-leads throughout the entire season. With so many men to meet, viewers were introduced to potential love interests, including sales executive Aven Jones, physical therapist Justin Budfuloski, and twins, Joey and Justin Young.
After Rachel and Gabby met the contestants and got to know them, the women compared notes ahead of the Bachelorette season 19's first rose ceremony. Luckily, Rachel and Gabby's distinct tastes and interests meant that the two found it easier to single two men out than many viewers expected. Rachel's first impression rose was given to Tino Franco, a 28-year-old general contractor from Valencia, California. Tino, who made his entrance in a forklift, immediately caught Rachel's attention with the cheesy pick-up line, ""You two look forking gorgeous!" After just a few minutes of small talk on the mansion's staircase, Tino and Rachel shared their first kiss. "He's my type!" Rachel gushed about Tino.
As for Gabby, her first impression rose went to Mario Vassall, a 31-year-old personal trainer from Naperville, Illinois. While Tino entered season 19 on a forklift, Mario showed off his quirky dance moves for Gabby and Rachel. Throughout the night, Gabby showed interest in several of the men, including 26-year-old Logan Palmer and 26-year-old Ryan Mula. Although 29-year-old Erich Schwer had a first meeting with Gabby that was filled with laughter, it was Mario and Gabby's emotionally-charged conversation that ended with the season's first kiss, after Mario accidently hit Gabby's knee reflex.
The Bachelorette season 19 may have started on a good note with only three men eliminated, but fans are anticipating months of drama ahead. The premiere episode, which ended with a preview of the rest of the season, shows plenty of fun and conflict in store for Gabby and Rachel. Although Gabby has shown initial interest in Logan, one clip during the preview featured the Arizona-based videographer making her cry. Another upcoming moment shows James Clarke, Termayne Harper, and Alec Garza appearing to reject a rose from Rachel. While fans are ready to see Rachel and Gabby end up with the men of their dreams, it's clear that the journey, like previous The Bachelorette seasons, won't be easy.
The Bachelorette season 19 airs Mondays at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.