Photo: getty (3)
Tayshia AdamsandKaitlyn Bristoweare getting a second chance at helping a Bachelorettefind love!
The two formerBachelorNation leads are returning asco-hosts of the ABC seriesfor season 18 withMichelle Young, PEOPLE confirms.
The 28-year-old teacher first appeared onMatt James' season ofThe Bacheloralongside current BacheloretteKatie Thurston. Adams, 30, and Bristowe, 36, are currently co-hosting Thurston’s season ofThe Bachelorette.
Young said during theAfter the Final Rosespecial in March thatshe’s “ready” to take another shot at finding love.
Michelle Young and Katie Thurston.ABC
“I am ready. I really do think this process works,” she said. “When you get to set down all the outside distractions and really dive in, I think you can learn a lot about somebody. I’m just excited. I’m ready to get started.”
Adams and Bristowe announced in March that they would be the co-hosts of Thurston’s season afterChris Harrisonstepped down in February.
Will you accept this rose? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free weekly Bachelor Nation newsletterto get the latest news onThe Bachelor, The Bacheloretteand everything in between.
“Trading in the crown and dress, but don’t stress …so excited to spend another seasonwith you all. See you on your television screen this summer!” Adams captioned her announcement on Instagram at the time. “And you thought you could get rid of me✨😉 #thebachelorette.”
In a series of Instagram Story videos, she added, “I feel so honored to be given the opportunity but I’m just so, so, so happy. And I’m so happy that you guys are happy. I’ve been getting so many phenomenal messages and words of encouragement; it means so much. And the fact that I talked to Chris the other day and he was so kind and congratulated me for being part of the next season meant the absolute world.”
Bristowe captioned a video of herself dancing with Adams, “Let’s go girls…..@tayshia.”
“Truthfully we are there to support the new bachelorette, We aren’t ‘replacing’ anyone!!!” Bristowe said. “I’m celebrating a friendship here to be honest.”
Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe.ABC/Craig Sjodin
After Harrison, 49,stepped downfrom his longtime hosting role, Warner Horizon and ABC Entertainment told PEOPLE in a statement, “We support Chris in the work that he is committed to doing. In his absence, formerBachelorettes Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe will support the newBachelorettethrough next season.”
“As we continue the dialogue around achieving greater equity and inclusion withinThe Bachelorfranchise, we are dedicated toimproving the BIPOC representation of our crew, including among the executive producer ranks,” the statement continued. “These areimportant steps in effecting fundamental changeso that our franchise is a celebration of love that is reflective of our world.”
Harrison stepped away fromBachelorNation in February after defending contestantRachael Kirkconnell’spast racist actions.Shesince issued an apologyand asked thosedefending her actions to “please stop.”
Harrison alsoapologized for his remarks. Heofficially exitedthe franchise in June.
Young’s season ofThe Bachelorettepremieres Tuesday, Oct. 19 on ABC.
source: people.com
