Clare Crawley's season of The Bachelorette [1] was already making history for having the oldest Bachelorette in franchise history [2], and now the 39-year-old hair stylist is reportedly making waves for another reason: the shortest run in a season that includes a lead change!
Vulture reports that Crawley, who has been filming her season in a quarantine bubble [3] at La Quinta Resort in Palm Springs under COVID-19 guidelines, quit the show after only 12 days of filming [4] because she had fallen for one of her contestants. Crawley reportedly fell in love with 31-year-old contestant Dale Moss, whom she presented with her first impression rose [5] on night one. It's also reported that ABC has nabbed former Bachelor contestant Tayshia Adams to step in as the new Bachelorette with Crawley leaving the show mid-production.
Soon after that bit of speculation was released, Us Weekly reported that producers had begun reaching out to "backup" contestants [7] who weren't ultimately cast after being vetted for Crawley's season. "When producers reached back out, out of the blue, it was very apparent that something had happened with production."
The move could signify that the men would be getting another chance at love [8], but since they already struck out with Crawley, it's doubtful that they'd been called back for her. According to E! News, an insider reported that Adams has joined production [9] after undergoing quarantine and that she's been told the season will "lead with Clare and her short-lived journey" and announce Adams as the lead later on. Warner Bros. and ABC haven't confirmed anything, nor have any of the cast members, so this is all still speculation.
Adams previously competed for Colton Underwood's heart during season 23 and made it to the final two before he quit the show to pursue Cassie Randolph, as well as appearing in [10]Bachelor in Paradise [11]. If the rumours prove true, it would be the first time a lead has ever left mid-production — though considering the circumstances it seems like Crawley's already accomplished what she came on the show to do! The added drama would definitely liven up the franchise in a way that's never been done before, actually making it the most dramatic season of them all.