Who will be our next Bachelorette? Here are the top contenders!

Tayshia Adams

Tayshia was a top contender for the Bachelorette this past season, ultimately losing the gig to Hannah B. The 29-year-old stunner appeared on Colton’s season of The Bachelor, where she made it all the way to the final three. We saw her again this summer on Paradise where she had a fling with John Paul Jones (my envy is palpable). Tayshia has an air of maturity and a self-assured presence; she’ll be having none of any Whaboom! nonsense.

She’s also not a recent college graduate, which means it’s highly plausible she’s truly ready to find her person. It would be a refreshing change from the somewhat elementary drama that’s transpired on Peter’s season. Tayshia has been married before as well, so she not only has an actual sense of what marriage entails, ABC has a storyline to run with (we all know this is a huge factor).

Most importantly, she is A. Diverse. Lead. The franchise is sorely lacking thus far in proper representation–past the sole choice of Rachel Lindsay (justice for Mike Johnson). It’s important we keep this factor in high consideration.

That said, her run on Paradise – the typical litmus test for potential leads – wasn’t universally well-received. Her comments about Hannah G. playing the “innocent card” rubbed some viewers the wrong way (to be fair, Hannah G.’s “mean girl” retort wasn’t beloved either).

Additionally, she caught some heat from John Paul Jones for “airing her grievances” on the “Bachelor Happy Hour” podcast. None of this is particularly groundbreaking, nor should it disqualify her from the role, but the potential cons are worth mentioning for conversation’s sake.

While not my personal top pick (that’s to come), I’d be absolutely thrilled to watch a season of Tayshia, and would absolutely not be mad at this choice. Tayshia would be an A+ candidate for the role.

Bachelor Nation supporters: Ashley I., Ben Higgins, Jared Haibon, Jade Roper, Kirpa Sudick, Sydney Lotuaco