With so much controversy surrounding The Bachelor these days, it's easy to forget about the more routine developments involving the franchise.

Chris Harrison has "stepped away," and Bachelor Nation is in the midst of a racial reckoning that could forever alter its future, but clearly, producers feel that the show must go on regardless.

And so, a new Bachelorette has been anointed, and the Bachelor big wigs will attempt to shift the focus back to fun, frivolity, and the search for love.

But it remains to be seen how effective they'll be.

If you've been following all the speculation and spoilers in recent weeks, then you probably came across reports that Katie Thurston is the next Bachelorette.

The news was controversial, as the Bachelorette is usually selected from the final four contestants, and three of Matt James' were women of color.

(SPOILER: Rachael Kirkconnell receives Matt's final rose, a move that will no doubt generate a tremendous amount of controversy on its own.)

So there were rumors that the decision had been reversed in reaction to recent events.

Now, however, it looks as though Katie is still the choice. 

And if that turns out to be the case, you can be sure the announcement will result in another round of spirited debate.

For now, all we have to go on is the word of Bachelor Nation spoiler master Reality Steve.

If you follow him on Twitter or read his blog, then you know that Steve is almost always right, particularly with regard to who will be the next Bachelor or Bachelorette.

And he says there's no doubt that it will soon be Katie's turn.

"(SPOILER): The more things change, the more they stay the same. The original spoiler I reported seems to be correct," Steve tweeted this week.

"Katie Thurston is set to be announced as the 'Bachelorette' in the coming days."

There's no word yet on when the announcement will be made, but given everything that's going, on producers might choose to wait a bit longer than usual.

Katie, of course, made a name for herself as "Vibrator Girl," thanks to her decision to bring her favorite sex toy along when she met Matt.

While her first appearance on camera was refreshingly irreverent, Katie soon displayed a more serious side, as she intervened whenever she felt there was bullying taking place in the house.

This tendency made her a divisive figure, with some fans accusing Thurston of attempting to gain an upper hand by snitching on her rivals.

Katie was surprisingly let go from Matt's season following what appeared to be a successful one-on-one date in which the two of them pranked Tyler Cameron.

The 30-year-old Renton, Washington resident appeared on Monday's After the Final Rose special, but no mention was made of her future within the franchise.

Hopefully, Katie has thick skin, because she's soon to become the face of a show that's been beset by scandal in recent months.

Taking over as Bachelorette was never easy, but these days, it's harder than ever.