Rachel Lindsay takes on 31 men on tonight’s premiere episode of The Bachelorette 2017 and she told Entertainment Tonight that she hopes for a very diverse cast … which she definitely gets. Talking about race on the premiere episode is definitely on the table, but Lindsay insists that she doesn’t want race to define her relationship. One thing that Lindsay has confirmed on today’s live episode of Live With Kelly and Ryan is that she is engaged to one of this season’s contestants. She says he’s a confident man, but that she has warned him about certain things he may see on the show this season as Lindsay searches for love. But, that’s all that Lindsay will reveal as of now, so let’s get into what we DO know. Read on for the SPOILERS on tonight’s premiere episode of the show.
One of the Contestants Has a Girlfriend
For all you Corinne fans out there from The Bachelor, you will be excited to hear that she is back … at least just on the premiere. ABC reports that:
Rachel turns to her close friends from last season on “The Bachelor” – Alexis, Astrid, Corinne, Jasmine, Kristina, Raven and Whitney – to discuss her hopes and dreams for her upcoming adventure. After her gal squad offers some good advice, she is ready to meet her men.
According to Reality Steve, the girls have some very helpful information for Lindsay, exposing one of the contestants before Lindsay even gets to meet him. Reality Steve states that:
Rachel meets up at the mansion with 7 of her girls from last season. Ummmm, no, Vanessa wasn’t one of them … Only one notable thing really to come out of this talk. Whitney tells Rachel that Sarah (Vendal) from their season knows DeMario through mutual friends in college, and that his intentions might not be pure. That was purposely left in there for the audience to see because, you guessed it, DeMario has a girlfriend who shows up in episode 2 and Rachel sends DeMario home. Obviously you won’t see that on Monday, but yeah, the ol’ girlfriend-back-home card pops up this season.
So, it looks like one of the contestants this season has a girlfriend. In addition, apparently Alexis also tells Rachel Lindsay not to rule out people who show up in costumes, as she did for her limo arrival on The Bachelor.
Dr. Bryan Abasolo Gets the First Impression Rose
Many times, the recipient of the First Impression Rose goes far in the competition and this is true for Abasolo this season. Reality Steve reports that Dr. Bryan Abasolo flirts with Lindsay, saying he’s trouble, and he ends up making out with her on the premiere. Abasolo is a chiropractor and he definitely catches Lindsay’s eye, so it’s no wonder that he makes it to at least the final four on the show.
Fights And Drunkenness Are a Big Part of the Premiere
(ABC/Paul Hebert)
The drama begins. Contestant Lucas Yancey gets on a lot of the contestants’ nerves, with his signature call “Whaboom!” One contestant who really gets annoyed by him is Blake Elarbee and what’s very interesting, is that the two already know each other from another reality show titled Ex-Isle. Reality Steve says that:
One of the all time great first night conversations in history happens as Blake E. is sick of Whaboom and calls him out on it. It’s not a screaming match. Neither raises their voice. But Blake is completely sober and Lucas is hammered. Lucas also has a sport coat with a T-shirt on all night that has “Whaboom” on it, which is all the ammo Blake needs. It’s always fun to watch a sober person own a drunk person in conversation, and that’s what this is. Funniest night one moment I honestly can remember, yet it’s not over the top. Completely subtle, but hilarious.
Steve also adds:
Blake does say in an ITM during his square off with Lucas, “I believe from what I know that he’s here just to be on TV.”
Rachel Lindsay Knows One of the Contestants
(ABC/Craig Sjodin)
There’s always a contestant who the star of the show knows beforehand. Last season, Nick Viall was surprised by a one-night stand he had at Tanner Tolbert and Jade Roper’s wedding. This season, Lindsay comes face to face with someone from the past and his name is Fred Johnson. Reality Steve reports that:
He was a 3rd grader when she was in 8th grade at the same school, and he remembers her being his camp counselor. Shows her their yearbook pics. Hasn’t seen or talked to her in 15 years but has always had a crush on her. Rachel remembers him as the kid always getting in trouble.
It’s definitely going to be hard for Lindsay to get past the fact that this was a kid she used to reprimand.
And the Contestants Who Get Eliminated Are …
(ABC/Paul Hebert)
ABC reports that tonight, 31 men are narrowed down to 23, which means that 8 contestants will be sent home. Blogger Reality Steve reports that the eliminated cast members are Blake Killpack, Grant Hubsher, Jamey Kocan, Jedidiah Ballard, Kyle Sherwood, a man named Milton, Mo Sehgal, and Rob Howard. It’s no wonder that Sehgal gets sent home, since Reality Steve reports that he’s a bit of a drunken mess on the premiere. Get to know each of this season’s contestants in the below cast gallery: