After an iconic run on The Bachelor Season 27, one of the smoothest Hometown Dates in franchise history, and a devastating breakup from Zach Shallcross in Episode 8, fan-favorite contestant Charity Lawson has officially been named The Bachelorette‘s Season 20 lead.
Decider’s Bachelorette casting dreams came true at the end of Tuesday’s “Women Tell All” episode, when host Jesse Palmer sent all of Shallcross’ eliminated contestants to their dressing rooms backstage and promised that one woman’s life was about to change forever.
“Now she has no idea this is happening. She thinks we’re doing some promotional shoot for our social media account, but little does she know that her life is never gonna be the same again,” Palmer told cameras. He knocked on a dressing room door to find Lawson waiting inside, then he told her they were playing a rapid fire game so Bachelor Nation could get to know her better. After Lawson chose vacation over staycation, dine out over take out, sunset over sunrise, and trashed glamping and camping, Palmer asked the big one: “Bachelor in Paradise or The Bachelorette?”
“Let’s say Bachelorette,” Lawson replied, looking flustered when Palmer kept pressing her. “Well, I’m glad you said that. Because, Charity, I want you to be our next Bachelorette,” he said.
After excitedly processing the news for a moment, Lawson said, “It’s a yes! Absolutely! 100%!” Then, she called her mom and dad, who had just woken up but offered their love and support.
As noted in our beautifully timed Please Make Charity Lawson The Bachelorette plea, it was clear from the start that the now 27-year-old child and family therapist from Columbus, Georgia was on The Bachelor for the right reasons. She consistently stressed her readiness to find a lasting love, showcased remarkable self-awareness, and was open about her emotions until the very end. She summoned the courage and strength needed to put herself out there again after leaving an emotionally abusive, manipulative, unfaithful partner. And here’s hoping in a few months Lawson will be engaged to a man who can give her all the love Shallcross couldn’t.
At a time when fans are still challenging The Bachelor franchise to improve its diversity and inclusion, Lawson will become the fourth Black Bachelorette lead. Rachel Lindsay became the first Black woman to lead in Season 13, Tayshia Adams followed in Season 16, and Michelle Young held the spot in Season 18. In The Bachelor‘s 27 seasons, the first and only Black lead was Season 25’s Matt James, whose casting was announced in 2020 amidst worldwide protests against racism and in the midst of another racism scandal in the franchise.
Shortly after learning she would be the next Bachelorette, Lawson made it clear that she doesn’t take the weight or significance of the opportunity for granted. “I can’t wait to show little girls that look like me being in a position like this is possible,” she said. “I know that I’ll be making a lot of people proud.”
Though we don’t know the exact date yet, The Bachelorette is set to return this summer. While we await more details, be sure to read Decider’s explainer for more info on Lawson and don’t forget to tune in and watch Shallcross’ Bachelor journey come to a close.
New episode of The Bachelor premiere on Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC. Episodes are available for next-day streaming on Hulu.