The Bachelorette Season 17: Katie Thurston embraces herself in new promo

THE BACHELOR - Ò2501Ó Ð Matt James, the charismatic and engaging star of ABCÕs hit romance reality series ÒThe Bachelor,Ó will hand out the roses for its momentous 25th season. After meeting Matt as a prospective suitor for ÒThe Bachelorette,Ó Bachelor Nation swooned when they learned he would take on the role as the lead of his own love story. Matt is the total package with strong family values, a great career, and has used his growing platform for good. His emerging legion of fans canÕt wait to follow the 28-year-old real estate broker, entrepreneur and community organization founder on his journey to find love during this historic season. Although Matt hasnÕt been in love before, he feels he is ready now to welcome it into his lifeÑno matter what challenges he will faceÑas he starts his search for his happily ever after on the season premiere of ÒThe Bachelor,Ó MONDAY, JAN. 4 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EST), on ABC. (ABC/Craig Sjodin)MATT JAMES, KATIE
THE BACHELOR - Ò2501Ó Ð Matt James, the charismatic and engaging star of ABCÕs hit romance reality series ÒThe Bachelor,Ó will hand out the roses for its momentous 25th season. After meeting Matt as a prospective suitor for ÒThe Bachelorette,Ó Bachelor Nation swooned when they learned he would take on the role as the lead of his own love story. Matt is the total package with strong family values, a great career, and has used his growing platform for good. His emerging legion of fans canÕt wait to follow the 28-year-old real estate broker, entrepreneur and community organization founder on his journey to find love during this historic season. Although Matt hasnÕt been in love before, he feels he is ready now to welcome it into his lifeÑno matter what challenges he will faceÑas he starts his search for his happily ever after on the season premiere of ÒThe Bachelor,Ó MONDAY, JAN. 4 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EST), on ABC. (ABC/Craig Sjodin)MATT JAMES, KATIE

The Bachelorette Season 17 is a month and a half away from premiering, and with it brings our newest leading lady, Katie Thurston. It hasn’t been very long since we’ve seen her as she gave love a shot on Matt James’ season of The Bachelor.

While her journey on there was fleeting, she quickly became a fan-favorite for her outspoken nature and willingness to stand up to the bullies of the season. She was a fierce contestant, to say the least, and so it didn’t come as much of a surprise when ABC gave her a shot at being the next Bachelorette.

We were thrown for a curveball when ABC announced that we’d be getting not one, but two Bachelorettes this year. Along with Katie, fellow contestant, Michelle Young was also announced as the leading lady that would take up the mantle in the fall.

It’s an interesting time for the franchise with so much going on (drama and controversy included), but at least we’ll be returning to our regularly scheduled programming beginning with The Bachelorette Season 17 on June 7.

The Bachelorette Season 17 promo

ABC released a 30-second teaser today, but unfortunately, it doesn’t have any scenes from Katie’s season. Instead, we hear snippets of Katie’s voice from her time on Matt’s season, including the moment he broke up with her–“I don’t regret being myself. I know what I deserve.”

In the time we got to know Katie on The Bachelor, we quickly learned she’s as fierce as they come and has no problem defending herself. And even though her heart was broken by Matt, she never gave up on finding her person.

In a voiceover, we hear Katie declare, “I am who I am, and I wanna meet someone who knows who they are. My person’s still out there.” Perhaps that person will be on The Bachelorette Season 17? I know the franchise has been hard-pressed to give us many happily ever afters lately but perhaps Katie Thurston will change that.

The 30-second promo also includes Katie wearing multiple outfits as she prances around with the iconic red rose. But my favorite outfit? A white shirt that says, “Be a Katie”. If that’s not empowering to all the folks out there, I don’t know what is!

Tune in for The Bachelorette Season 17 premiere on ABC on June 7!

Are you excited to see Katie’s season? Tell us in the comments below!