Who’s the Bachelorette? 2021’s Katie Thurston is ready for love
Who's the Bachelorette? 2021's lead has created quite a buzz!


Who's the Bachelorette? 2021's leading lady, Katie Thurston, is looking for love and getting ready to hand out those roses...and send some fellas home. If a reality TV romance is the way to your heart, allow us to introduce you to Katie and everything you need to know about the 17th season of The Bachelorette. Trust us, it'll be a doozy!
• Bachelor in Paradise 2021: new host, cast, airdates, and everything else you need to know
Who’s the Bachelorette? 2021's star is Katie Thurston
Say hello to the 30-year-old Washington native. Katie is a bank marketing manager known for a fiery personality and letting her opinions be known, so we hope that the 30 contestants are ready to handle whatever she throws their way.
Katie first caused a buzz when she arrived to Matt James’s season of The Bachelor with a vibrator in hand. Now, the starlet with the sex-positive mindset is stealing the spotlight. (Psst: we think these hands-free vibrators and sex toys are as buzz-worthy as Katie's Bachelorette season.)
A post shared by Katie Thurston (@thekatiethurston) (opens in new tab)
A photo posted by on
Katie had a close call
For a moment, Katie almost gave up on The Bachelorette. She's even seen insisting that someone book her a flight home during a promo. However, she managed to pull through with help from surprising sources.
“I was at my lowest and really wanted to leave," she told US Weekly (opens in new tab). "If it wasn’t for the amazing women who have been Bachelorettes before helping me navigate that, I probably would have. And so, I’m so thankful for all of them.”
She goes on to say that she was told to have faith in the experience and not fall in love right away. (Her predecessor Clare Crawley completely took the opposite approach!)
@thekatiethurston (opens in new tab) Each preview gets me more excited! ##thebachelorette ##bachelornation 🌹 🥂
♬ original sound - Katie Thurston (opens in new tab)
• What's going on between Too Hot To Handle's Harry Howsey and Francesca Farago?
She's not afraid to call anyone out
Some contestants aren't as interested in Katie's heart as they are in gaining social media followers...and Katie is not here for the drama.
A post shared by The Bachelorette (@bacheloretteabc) (opens in new tab)
A photo posted by on
Katie Thurston talks about Chris Harrison
Following racially insensitive remarks that surfaced earlier in 2021, the franchise's host Chris Harrison has been absent from the new endeavors. Instead, season 11 Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe and season 16 starlet Tayshia Adams have stepped in to do the honors.
"As the lead, I've never gone through it with Chris," she told USA Today. (opens in new tab) "And so I can't really speak to how it's different, because when I was on that season, I didn't really interact with him too much."
When does Katie's season of The Bachelorette premiere?
Fans can catch The Bachelorette on ABC (opens in new tab) on Mondays at 8pm/7 Central beginning June 7.
How can I watch The Bachelorette if I'm not in the US?
Don't have access to ABC? If you're not in the U.S., and the show is not being broadcast on any channels in the country you're in, you can still watch using a VPN.
Our favorite VPN service is ExpressVPN (opens in new tab)—rated one of the best, by our colleagues at TechRadar (opens in new tab). If you sign up for an annual plan you'll get an extra 3 months absolutely FREE (opens in new tab). And it's risk-free: if you change your mind in the first 30 days, let them know and they'll give you your money back.
Need us? We'll be on the couch with a glass of wine and Katie's adventures in love.
Danielle is a writer for woman&home and My Imperfect Life, covering all-things news, lifestyle and entertainment.
The heart of her time at Future has been devoted to My Imperfect Life, where she's been attuned to the cosmos and honed in on astrology coverage within the Life vertical. She's partial to writing pieces about the next big TV obsession—anyone else impatiently waiting for "Conversations with Friends"—and keeping you up to date on new trends like the latest must-have from Zara.
Before her time at Future, Danielle was the editor of Time Out New York Kids and a news editor at Elite Daily. Her work has also appeared in Domino, Chowhound, amNewYork and Newsday, among other outlets.
When Danielle is not working, you can usually find her reading a new book, coffee at hand, or attempting a new recipe. (Recommendations always welcome!)
-
-
'Love Island' fans think Tasha doesn't want Andrew
Viewers were left questioning Andrew and Tasha as a couple after the recouping
By Gabrielle Rockson • Published
-
'Only Murders in the Building' season 2 will introduce us to new faces...and a new murder
'Only Murders in the Building' season 2 is about to hit Hulu, and we can't wait to catch up with our favorite trio
By Danielle Valente • Published
-
Here's how to watch Love Island UK from anywhere now that things are heating up in the villa
The class of 2022 has not disappointed and you'll want to check out all the action
By Sagal Mohammed • Published
-
How to watch 'Everything I Know About Love' online from anywhere
Don't miss the TV adaptation of the hit novel—here's how to watch 'Everything I Know About Love' no matter where you are
By Christina Izzo • Published
-
How to watch 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 7' anywhere in the world
It's an all-winners season, baby! Don't miss one minute of 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 7' with our how-to-watch guide
By Christina Izzo • Published
-
How to watch 'Candy' online and relive the brutal '80s crime story
One thing's for sure, Candy Montgomery is not your average '80s housewife
By Danielle Valente • Published
-
How to watch the 'Derry Girls' last episode anywhere in the world
Say goodbye to Erin, Orla and the lot by watching the 'Derry Girls' last episode, no matter where you are
By Christina Izzo • Published
-
How to watch the Billboard Music Awards 2022
BTS, Megan Thee Stallion AND Olivia Rodrigo?! You won't want to miss the Billboard Music Awards 2022
By Christina Izzo • Published
-
How to watch 'The Real Housewives of Dubai' anywhere in the world
Andy Cohen says 'The Real Housewives of Dubai' will 'blow the lid off the franchise.' And you won't want to miss a second!
By Danielle Valente • Published
-
How to watch 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' season 12:
When does 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' start? And, more importantly, how can you watch from anywhere in the world?
By Christina Izzo • Published