Well, March Madness gets underway today, and basketball fans across the country are hoping their teams will survive to compete in the Final Four.
But Bachelor Nation residents have a different final four in mind, thanks to new rumors about a female quartet being created for Zach Shallcross’ Hometown Round.
If you watched Monday night’s episode, you know that Zach sent Charity Lawson home during the rose ceremony, even though she seemed happy with her family when they visited Columbus, Georgia.
Fortunately, the following night, the newly single Lawson received a consolation prize:
During an episode of Live Women Tell All, Charity was named the next Bachelorette.
Host Jesse Lawson “surprised” Amal with the news, but it didn’t come as a total shock.
After all, if you’ve been reading The Bachelor spoilers all season, then you know news about Charity’s new show leaked a few weeks ago.
Of course, a little bit of theatricality is expected when it comes to shows like that Scholar and The Bachelorette.
But a new report from a British tabloid Sun has fans fear that the whole franchise is more scripted than professional wrestling.
A production insider claims that the producers were so overwhelmed by Charity’s charisma that they decided she would be the next Bachelorette before she even started taking Zach’s season.
In order for the plan to come off, of course, the producers will need Charity to stick around long enough for the fans to get to know her, but not so long that she will receive Zach’s final rose.
They allegedly informed Shallcross of this agenda and instructions to play together.
“The charity was organized by the producers to be the next Bachelorette from the beginning,” a source revealed to Sun.
Fortunately, along the way, Zach “develops feelings for her,” which makes it easier for him to carry out the plan.
However, the insider confirmed that “producers definitely played a role in keeping him there for a while.”
The source revealed that other contestants felt Charity was the favorite among the producers, and one said they “had a feeling from last night” that Lawson would be staying.
The insider says the fix started from the start, as Zach “was told by producers to steal time with him” during his first night in the mansion.
“Zach went into the room and stole Charity away from the other girls surrounding her as the producers ordered,” the insider said.
“He avoided eye contact with the other girls, who were demanding attention, and grabbed Charity to talk to her,” the source continued.
“It was a staged moment.”
The insider went on to claim that Charity also received the best edit of the season, so fans will be ready for her to be the Bachelorette.
“They have a lot of bright moments this season, and a lot of screen time. It’s intentionally set up that way by the producers,” the insider said.
We’re sure some people will take this news badly.
But there’s no need to be surprised because reality TV rarely reflects reality.