‘The Bachelorette’ Season 16: Everything We Know About Clare Crawley and Tayshia Adams’ Season

Heavily Edited?

Clare’s ex-fiancé, Benoît Beauséjour-Savard, claims there is “no way” the hairstylist called Dale her “fiancé” during week 3’s group date.

“When she called him her fiancé, a lot of people were telling me, ‘Benoît, I feel like they just cut out the ex-fiancé part and maybe they made some jokes about you and that was not fair.’ So there’s no way she would have called him at that moment her fiancé,” the Bachelor Winter Games alum told Entertainment Tonight on November 1.

Clare and her former flame were briefly engaged in 2018 but called it quits after a month. They remain friends.

Week One and Done!

On Tuesday, October 13, Dale received Clare’s First Impression Rose, while contestants Mike, Jeremy, Chris, Jordan M., Tyler C., AJ, Robby, Page, were sent home.

Dog Days

On October 6, Clare revealed her two pups were able to be with her throughout filming, noting that it was a “perk” of being in one location. “These two babies never left my side through all of the days in isolation when I was alone prior to filming. They give me happiness, peace and unconditional love,” she wrote via Instagram. “What a gift it was when @chrisharrison and the producers from the @bacheloretteABC called letting me know that because we were glued to each other during quarantine, they were not going to let them leave my side during filming. It was the greatest gift ever.”

Night One Look!

More teaser photos began dropping for season 16 in September, including what the leading lady wore for the premiere. Clare looked gorgeous in this sheer gown that definitely caught the eye of her 31 lucky contestants.

That’s a Wrap!

“Hiiiii, it’s been a minute,” Tayshia wrote on her Instagram Story on September 10 after a long social media hiatus amid filming season 16. This post hinted that she is officially back home after (hopefully) meeting the man of her dreams.

Back in the Big Apple

Dale shared a slew of Instagram Stories on September 3 showing him back in New York City, where he currently resides. “New life,” he captioned a clip of him standing on a busy street while noting he had to “get some stuff done.”

Hot and Heavy

A Bachelorette promo that aired on September 1 gave fans the first look into Clare and Dale’s strong chemistry. The short clip showed the two heavily making out. 

The Premiere Date Is Set!

On August 27, ABC finally announced the premiere date of The Bachelorette: Tuesday, October 13! They also sent fans into a frenzy with a The Graduate-themed promo poster. Whose leg is that? Dale’s? Tayshia’s? Someone else?

Chris added fuel to the fire by reposting the promo with the caption, “I feel like this could be double trouble #TheBachelorette.”

She’s Here!

New Bachelorette Tayshia was spotted on set at the La Quinta Resort in Palm Springs for the first time on August 20. It’s getting real, y’all!

JoJo Fletcher’s Replacing Chris Harrison

For a couple of weeks at least. Chris dropped his son off at college and was forced to take a two-week hiatus for the safety of the cast and crew amid the pandemic. “The moment he got back, Chris was told he could not set foot back on the set until he went through another 14-day quarantine,” a source tells Us Weekly. “The show’s contestants and crew all had to quarantine on the property for 14 days prior to the camera’s rolling. But it didn’t dawn on Chris he’d have to do it all over again if he simply left to take his kid to college.” Chris will reportedly still be “back in time for the last few shows” of the season. We can’t wait to watch the former Bachelorette fill in!

‘Bachelorette’ Season 16: How It’s Filming Amid COVID and Clare Exit 

After news broke JoJo was temporarily filling in for Chris’ hosting duties while he took his son to college, the ABC host was photographed back on The Bachelorette set talking to Clare on August 16.

He’s Out

Dale was last photographed on the Bachelorette set in California on August 3. Days later, a cashier at a TJ Maxx in the athlete’s home state of South Dakota claimed he was in the store.

Although his Instagram is still set to private as of August 10, fans screenshotted an alleged photo of Dale smiling in his driveway with his dog, further confirming he was no longer at the La Quinta Resort.

A Hot Mess?

Season 16 has been a “s–t show” in terms of organization, an insider told Life & Style. “Producers are scrambling trying to find a way to save this season of The Bachelorette now that Clare is out. Everyone on set thinks it’s a big joke,” an insider said. “The contestants don’t know what’s going on, the producers don’t know what to do next … The guys don’t know what to do but laugh, they feel like they’ve been whipped around.”

Still Ready for Love

Producers will “match” Tayshia up with the remaining contestants, and the men actually have a positive outlook on the situation. Considering Clare fell for Dale just 12 days in, it’s likely most of the guys hadn’t formed a strong connection to the hairdresser yet.

“The guys that are now left are just happy to get another chance at love,” dished the insider. “The show is going to go on with a new Bachelorette and they are excited. Producers have to be creative, but they like the element of surprise and are hoping it will draw more interest.”

A Fan Fave

More and more Bachelor Nation alums are arriving on set. Wells Adams was photographed talking with host Chris Harrison while bartending on set, Us Weekly reported on August 6.

Major Curveball

On August 2, former Bachelor contestant Hannah Ann Sluss was seen arriving at La Quinta Resort, where season 16 is being filmed in La Quinta, California. She was toting a large suitcase. 

What’s Happening?

Fans noticed the windows, flooring and doors in Becca Kufrin’s recent Instagram stories matched the La Quinta Resort. It appears the season 14 star is also on location amid filming.

Alumni Everywhere!

On August 7, former Bachelor in Paradise stars Jared Haibon and wife Ashley Iaconetti were spotted holding hands at La Quinta Resort, as photographed by Daily Mail.

More Details

Life & Style exclusively learned Clare and Dale were actually “in contact” before he stepped out of the limo on night one. Filming was supposed to begin in March but was postponed to July amid the coronavirus pandemic. 
“Clare did reach out to him prior to him leaving again for filming. He had left originally in March and then production stopped,” said the source.

Cryptic Promo

The Bachelorette aired its first promo on August 3. The short clip showed a woman, who appeared to be Clare, sitting on a stool behind a camera. Her face was completely covered by a dark shadow.

A New Leading Lady

Life & Style confirmed Tayshia, 29, is the new Bachelorette on August 3. Shortly after, Bachelor Nation followed suit and began congratulating the former contestant from Colton Underwood’s season.

You OK?

On August 2, Clare reportedly “liked” then quickly “unliked” a tweet that said “many would be thrilled with Tayshia” as the new Bachelorette, according to screenshots. She wouldn’t normally have access to her phone during filming, but it is possible someone is running the account for her.

Fueling Rumors

Eagle-eyed fans noticed Clare’s De Facto Salon, where she works as a stylist in Sacramento, follows Dale on Instagram. The athlete’s account is set to private, which means he has to approve every new follower. Considering contestants don’t have access to their phones or social media during filming, it seemed super suspicious.

Producer Clue

Bachelor producer Julie LaPlaca and Bachelor Nation’s Instagram page, which is run by the producers, both commented on Tayshia’s social media post following news she was being considered to take the reins of season 16. This is not a frequent occurrence on the California native’s page, so it raised some eyebrows.

Someone New

Life & Style exclusively learned on July 31 Tayshia was being considered to “replace” Clare for the rest of the season.
“Execs hope the guys will still want to participate” with the Bachelor in Paradise alum because “it took them time to test them all for COVID and they’ve already been quarantined at the resort for 14 days,” the insider explained.

She’s Done

“She told producers she no longer wanted to participate in the show,” an insider exclusively told Life & Style about Clare wanting to quit amid her romance with Dale. The Sacramento native “refused to come out of her room” to film with other guys, which “blindsided” the crew.
“Producers are scrambling to figure out what to do,” the source says following Clare’s shocking admission. “They are frantic trying to pick up the pieces without having to start over completely.”