KATIE Thurston has returned to The Bachelorette in a big way as she says “I know who I am” in glamorous new season promo.
The TV personality made her position clear as she prepares to be the lead of season 17.
Katie, 30, was chosen as the next Bachelorette after many fans believed Bachelor contestant Matt James made a mistake with sending her home.
The reality star had “no regrets” about how she acted in the previous season and is excited to move forward as she hasn’t given up on love.
ABC released a new promo for the upcoming season, and the Washington native looked stunning in a floor-length lavender gown.
Katie posed for the camera, smelled a rose, and rocked back and forth on a swing as the show gave a taste of what’s to come.
“I don’t regret being myself. I know what I deserve. I never want to stop pursuing love,” she explained.
“I am who I am and I want to meet someone who knows who they are. My person is still out there.”
Katie caused quite the stir on season 25 of The Bachelor when she showed up to meet Matt James for the first time while holding a vibrator.
The Bachelor Nation has garnered respect for the bank marketing manager for her frankness, openness and self-awareness.
The contestant has acquired a massive TikTok following of 250,000 fans thanks to her relatability and honesty.
Although not too much information has surfaced about the soon-to-be star, it is known that Katie tragically lost her father in 2012 to ALS.
The brunette connected with fellow contestant Sarah Trott over the disease, leading the latter to self-eliminate to spend more time with family.
Reality Steve shared some insight on the filming location of Katie’s Bachelorette season.
The outlet tweeted that the contestants will most likely gather at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa, outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
During the Covid pandemic, the franchise has been forced to film in remote locations, and abandon the Bachelor mansion for the time being.
Earlier this month fans caught Katie wearing a $900 designer skirt backward in a promo shoot.
The Star Style Instagram account posted: “They have Katie wearing a Saint Laurent latex skirt backwards for the first Bachelorette promo.”
Here For the Right Reasons podcaster, Sarah Hearon joined in on the criticism, sharing: “We need to talk about the skirt again. She is wearing it backward.”
Several followers were shocked by the styling choice, adding their own comments like “OOPS” and “oh dear.”
The purple latex skirt in question comes from Saint Laurent’s Fall ’20 runway collection and is described to have a “two-way zipped back.”
Former Bachelorette stars Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe will take over for Chris Harrison in hosting the upcoming season.
ABC revealed the transition: “Chris Harrison will not be hosting the next season of The Bachelorette. We support Chris in the work that he is committed to doing.
“In his absence, former Bachelorettes Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe will support the new Bachelorette through the next season.”
