She might not know how to say the word "spelunking," but Gabby sure knows how to win over The Bachelor viewers. With it seeming less and less like she will end up as Clayton's fiancée after those Fantasy Suite dates, Gabby might be the next Bachelorette. At least, that's what some fans are hoping ahead of the "rose ceremony from hell."
Gabby's got a lot to offer as a potential Bachelorette. She's had a fascinating juxtaposition of careers as both a Denver Broncos cheerleader and an ICU nurse. Her grandpa's the best (and her dad may offer a strangely entertaining "meet the parents" moment if his Love Actually moment during hometowns is any indication). She's vulnerable and emotionally available, talking about how she grew up feeling love was conditional and how she's gone to therapy to work on herself. She's unafraid to call out behavior but not in a cruel way, like when she maturely reflected on Sarah's behavior — "At first, I thought it wasn't malicious. I thought it was just negligence, But after learning more, I think it's a tactic." And, perhaps most notably, she's got a real goofy sense of humor that's been refreshing to see on the franchise.
She chugs two bottles of champagne at the same time. When she stands in a freezing Icelandic landscape, she relatably reveals she'd much rather be on a whale-watching cruise with strawberries and champagne. When she spritzes herself in the bloopers, she coughs on the sunscreen but then struts through the scent like the superstar she is. This is the energy that I — and many other fans — want for the next Bachelorette.
The Powers That Be have allegedly taken notice. E! News reported that a source told the publication that "production has definitely noted the positive response to Gabby on social media." And it might not hurt that Gabby's college ex-boyfriend, Bachelor Nation's Dean Unglert, talked about Gabby's chances of being Bachelorette even before an episode of Clayton's season aired. "Producers called me and were like, 'Hey, we're thinking of casting this person, what do you think of her?'" Dean said on his Help! I Suck at Dating podcast (at the 46:38 mark). "And I was like, 'Oh, she's great. If she gets selected for the show, she'll either win the show or she'll be the next Bachelorette.' And I firmly believe that."
Dean also joked about how his girlfriend Caelynn Miller-Keyes has a friend on Clayton's season as well who she thought would become the Bachelorette if she didn't win. Caelynn's friend? None other than Susie. (Caelynn and Susie were both Miss Virginia Teen USA and Susie shared a photo of them together on the pageant stage in 2019.)
After her exit from the show, Susie is another viable contender for Bachelorette. But Gabby's quirky realness could give her a slight leg up (or disadvantage... considering the show chose to go with white-bread Clayton as the Bachelor for this season). But as the preview for the final two episodes makes it look like she's going to be telling off Clayton for his behavior, I have a feeling the chants of "Gabby for Bachelorette" are going to get even louder before this season is over.
Image: John Medland/ABC