Welp.

This is all a bit weird and awkward, isn’t it?

Last month, following rumors that ABC would name one of Katie Thurston’s scorned suitors as the next Bachelor, executives went ahead and zigged where fans thought they wouldd zag:

Clayton Echard has instead been named the next Bachelor.

And just who is Clayton Echard?

He’s someone who is about to fall for Michelle Young!

Following the season 7 finale of Bachelor in Paradise, ABC dropped an extensive look at Young’s upcoming season of The Bachelorette.

At one point, we see Clayton talking via a confessional and saying of Michelle: “The more time I spend with her, the more that I realize she could be the one.”

Now, it doesn’t take an analysis of any in-depth The Bachelorette spoilers to know that Young does not, actually, end up being The One for Clayton.

He gets eliminated at some point, likely some point toward the end of the season because he has to first make an impression on viewers before shifting over to star on The Bachelor.

The whole set-up, though, it just extremely odd.

Elsewhere in this extended preview, meanwhille…

Clayton gets into it with fellow contestant Nayte, referring to him as “a player,” before stating, “You’re an actor and you’ve come on a reality TV show.”

The video also shows the new Bachelorette gushing over feeling “super special” as she looks for “my soulmate, my best friend, someone who’s going to change the world with me.”

All the guys seem REALLY into Young, too.

One man praises her as “an amazing, beautiful, strong Black woman,” and another says that she’s “a one-in-a-billion girl.”

Michelle also makes out with plenty of her aspiring husbands and remarks that one session marked “the hottest kiss.”

There are “fireworks” with another, and Young even says she “in love” with a third.

Sounds like it’s gonna be a tough choice for Michelle!

At another point in the footage, Tayshia Adams breaks the news that she and fellow co-host Kaitlyn Bristowe “found something that is actually really alarming” in one of the guys’ luggage.

“Someone is planning out their every move,” Tayshia claims, as Michelle breaks down in tears.

There’s speculation over “a rat” being on the show is teased, and Michelle confesses that she feels “unseen” by one man and “can no longer trust another.”

To wrap up the video, Michelle reads a love letter to her future soulmate.

“Finding love hasn’t really been easy for me.

“I was never the girl invited to cute dates at the apple orchard in the fall. I was the girl picked last for prom, but the first for basketball,” she says.

“It was like there was nobody like me.

“Before there was nobody to see me. Hey, soulmate, if you’re listening, you’ll need to understand, in my heart of hearts, all I’ve ever wanted is love, and I hope you can be that man.”

The Bachelorette premieres on Tuesday, October 19 at 8/7c.

Forr fans of The Bachelorette, one was fun in 2021.

But twice will soon be very, very nice.

As television viewers likely know by now, ABC made an unprecedented decision several months ago to cast Katie Thurston as The Bachelorette… and also Michelle Young a The Bachelorette.

The former completed her run earlier this summer, selecting Blake Moynes as her winner/fiance.

Now, here comes Young!

Set to “Bounce Back” by Little Mix, ABC released the first official promo for Young’s upcoming season on Tuesday night.

It features the 28-year-old anchor looking gorgeous in a white, lacey gown that featurres a high slit.

At one point, Young strolls into a room filled with exquisite floral installations and grabs onto a red rose.

Walking into another room, Young catches and dribbles a basketball — before successfully shooting it into a basket. Nothing but net!

Young, who is a school teacher from Minnesota, then enters a classroom and picks up an apple.

Making her way down a floral-adorned staircase, Young then wraps things up by sharing her hope for her Bachelorette journey with viewers.

“I’m looking for someone who’s going to change the world with me,” she says. “I’m ready.”

We met Young during Matt James‘ recent of The Bachelor, which aired early in 2021.

The former Division I athlete left as the runner-up, as Matt chose to pursue a relationship with Rachael Kirkconnell overr getting down on one knee in front of Young and asking for her hand in marriage.

Cut to the After the Final Rose special in March — and both Michelle and Katie being confirmed as the next female leads in the franchise.

“I’m excited that I get to have somebody to bond over with this and share notes as we go,” Michelle previously said on Good Morning America.

“I really do think that this process works.

“When you can set down all these outside distractions and really dive in, I think you can learn a lot about somebody.”

From The Bachelorette spoilers we’ve thus far read, Young and her suitors will mostly be quarantined at a large resort… but will find time to visit Michelle’ hometown late in the season.

Following Thurston’s run, meanwhile, the 30-year-old shared the advice she gave Young before becoming the Bachelorette.

“I’ve spoken to her as much as I can because I know it’s any day now they’re gonna take her phone away,” Thurston said, adding:

“I think the biggest advice I’ve given her is to just be open. Don’t close yourself off too early. I think guys can surprise you … weeks later when you don’t expect it.”

Season 18 of The Bachelorette premieres Octoberr 19 at 8/7c on ABC.

The world of reality television moves very fast.

One day, Katie Thurston is crying her eyes out over Greg Grippo walking out of The Bachelorette.

The next minute, Thurston is totally over it and engaged to Blake Moynes.

And now? The very next s…

1. Alec Thompson

He’s 29 and from Virginia. Alec graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, according to his Linkedin. His current job is as a project engineer for Palmetto Railways in Charleston, South Carolina, where he lives. He’s previously worked for the Norfolk Southern Corporation. He’s also assisted at the Special Olympics.

2. Jomarri Gable

Jomarri works as a personal trainer. His Instagram handle is @jomarrigable. He’s a 26-year old from Oregon.

3. Eric Tai

Eric lives in New York City, but hails from New Jersey. He works in private equity at Hermes GPE, according to his Linkedin. He plays tennis and graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2018. Dude is 25.

4. Brett Parker

This is a 29-year old with a nice smile. He’s a native of Houston, Texas.

5. Joel Wilkinson

Joel works as a physical therapist. He’s 31 years old and is from Prescott, Arizona.

6. Ryan Fox

Here’s a fun fact about this 30-year old, who is from California: He was a “Bachelor” in February 2020 for the franchise’s “Bachelor Live on Stage Tour” hosted by Becca Kufrin and Ben Higgins. His Instagram handle is @ryanmichaelfox.

View Slideshow