The New Bachelorette Announcement Just Made Things WAY More Interesting on the Bachelor

Rosemary Donahue
Feb 14, 2017

*Warning: This post contains spoilers from the most recent episode of The Bachelor, so if you haven’t watched, don’t read yet!*

Just before tonight’s episode of The Bachelor, news broke that Rachel may be the next Bachelorette (which has since been confirmed on Jimmy Kimmel), which is INCREDIBLY interesting for a few reasons. One, because she’s still on the show, it’s a huge spoiler. Two, she’d be the first black Bachelor/Bachelorette, so it’s a great step forward for the franchise (even if it should’ve happened ages ago). And three, it means I was right! I called this pick all the way from the beginning, and I have the recaps to prove it. My theory is that they’re likely calling it early because this season isn’t especially interesting, and there still isn’t really a frontrunner — the main storyline is Corrine being a villain and that’s getting tired, so they want people to start watching to get acquainted with Rachel. For now, let’s get to this week’s episode.

Remember last week’s episode of The Bachelor when Nick left the women in tears? Well, that’s exactly where we picked back up this week, and the women were still reeling. Reeling from Nick’s tears, and reeling from Nick sending multiple women home. The episode started with Chris Harrison talking to Nick on the beach and asking him if he was ready to walk away and send all the women home, to which he answered, “Maybe.” Nick went up to the hotel room to talk to the women, and after a long dramatic pause, reassured them that he wanted to keep going. Duh! He’s the king of throwing little fits and leaving the women hanging, and I’m honestly not here for it.

He then announced they were skipping the cocktail party and rose ceremony (he’d already sent home all the women he needed to) and that they were heading to Bimini! They left immediately (well, after packing and getting primped) and got accustomed to their new digs — but not for too long, before a date card arrived.

ONE-ON-ONE DATE WITH VANESSA

Corrine has thus far only been on group dates, but Nick still sent a one-on-one date card for Vanessa (her second!), to which Corrine immediately replied, “You lucky bitch!” Nice. Vanessa left immediately for the date, which began on a boat. I always wonder if they put on sunscreen, because you never actually SEE them do it, and I really think it could be a great way to raise sunscreen awareness if they were to do it on screen, y’know? Anyway, Vanessa told Nick that she “thinks about him a lot” and that she’s “here for him,” so that’s cool. They also both forgot sunglasses, so maybe they’re a match made in heaven! Back at the house, it was announced that Corrine would be part of yet another group date, and she seemed super disappointed.

Vanessa told Nick she wanted him to meet her family, and that it was easy to be with him. Seems like kind of a stretch, considering their circumstances, but her voice cracked when she said it, so I’ll buy it! She then told him she was falling in love with him and they kissed a lot before he said, “I have been in love before. I’ve fallen in love in this environment before.” Lol, what? He went on to say that he “really really likes her” and couldn’t tell her he loves her right now, because he didn’t want to say it again until he felt like he was saying it for the first time. Her face completely fell, and… yup. Makes sense.

GROUP DATE WITH KRISTINA, CORRINE AND RAVEN

The women met Nick on a yacht, and — shocker — they put on sunscreen! Then Nick announced that they were going to be swimming with sharks on the group date, which was (naturally) met with some hesitation by the women. Now, I’m not sure if it’s just the way it was filmed or what, but they seemed to be swimming awfully close to these sharks without much protective gear! Kristina got anxious about it, rightfully so, and Corrine accused her of faking it, which she then said made her “self-conscious” — it basically made no sense.

Back on dry land, they started to talk about “hometowns” (where the women take Nick back to their hometowns to meet their families, for the uninitiated), and Nick pulled Kristina aside first for some alone time. Nick told her how he didn’t want to let his emotions get the best of him, and how he also didn’t want to force anything — those two things being the reason for the rough time last week. She then said she was ready to bring him home. After Kristina’s time, Raven got to talk to Nick, and she revealed that she calls her dad “daddy.” Finally, Corrine got her time, and said she’d do “whatever it takes” to turn the date around.

She told Nick she was nervous that she hadn’t had one-on-one time with him (talking in third person the whole time, which was weird), but he reassured her by saying that they always make the most of their time together. After that, she seemed to feel a lot better… but then, he gave the rose to Raven. They left the other women and danced by the ocean.

ONE-ON-ONE DATE WITH DANIELLE

Danielle met Nick on the beach and they hopped on some super cute beach cruisers, which they rode all over Bimini. They had snacks, played basketball, danced (somewhat embarrassingly, IMO) to some guitar music, and had beers on the beach. Then, they found themselves basically unable to have basic conversation. Nick addressed it to the camera, saying he wasn’t sure if it was nerves or chemistry, but the two didn’t address it to each other, and it was truly awkward to watch.

We didn’t see the rest of their day, and the editing skipped all the way to the nighttime part of the date. She told him she thought her family would like him, and that she’d like to take him home — then the conversation got silent again, before she told him her heart was open to him and she wanted a future with him. He then got that look in his eyes he gets when he’s about to send someone home, and yup — it happened. He told her that he didn’t think his heart could get to a place of loving her, and TBH, she should’ve guessed by his outfit. She was wearing a fancy red romper and heels and he was wearing a basic hoodie and jeans.

CORRINE DOING HER THING

Danielle getting sent home apparently shook Corrine to her core, and she decided to take matters into her own hands. She got all dressed up after-hours and went to visit Nick to “see if he was okay,” and the two had a drink together. He called her “sneaky sneaky” for making her own one-on-one time happen, and then they made out a bunch. She suggested they go to his room, and then she said the line we’ve all been waiting for…

We heard a lot of make-out noises behind closed doors, and then Nick asked her to slow down. He said that he cared about her a lot but that he also cared about the other four women, and he didn’t want to make the same mistakes he had in the past. She seemed super disappointed that he didn’t want to sleep with her, but it was actually really great that they addressed it more openly on the show than they have in the past. While she said she was extra self-conscious because of it, I actually think that out of all the reasons Corrine has to be self-conscious, this probably isn’t one of them. Nick was pretty honest with her and handled the situation well, from what we saw.

ONE-ON-ONE DATE WITH RACHEL

Ah, Rachel. They saved the best for last. Nick and Rachel sat down for beers and immediately started talking about what it would be like for Nick to meet her parents, but now, of course, we’re all watching and analyzing everything, because we know what happens with their relationship. Rachel told Nick that she’d never brought home a white guy, but that it didn’t really matter, because if you look at the big picture of her family, “everyone” was represented. They seemed to get along easily, and the bartender told Rachel to “make sure the guy needs you and not just wants you,” which Twitter loved. They made out on the pier for a little before Rachel headed back to the house — while their date was short and sweet, she was super confident afterwards.

 THE ROSE CEREMONY — OR NOT

Chris Harrison and Nick met up to talk about the rose ceremony and what Nick would end up doing, but it turned out that Nick didn’t want to have a rose ceremony after all! He decided he wanted to do things more privately, and wanted to go talk to the woman he was going to send home, rather than put her through the rose ceremony. He went to the house and immediately pulled Kristina aside. She wasn’t happy at all, and questioned his decision while they both cried — eventually, they hugged before she went back inside.

Everyone else was shocked as well, and previews for next week tell us that we “won’t believe what he does, or who comes back to confront him.” We’ll see!

What did you think about this week’s episode? Tweet us @BritandCo.

(Featured photo via Randy Holmes/Getty)

Hold Up, Did Rebecca Yarros' First 'Onxy Storm' Excerpt Just Tease Violet Sorrengail's True Identity?

Fans of Fourth Wing are on pins and needles because Rebecca Yarros just announced she's finished writing the third book in the Empyrean series! It's us, we're fans — along with over half of BookTok.

We can't believe we're getting closer to reading more about Violet Sorrengail's journey, but we know you have a ton of burning questions about the release date for Book No. 3.

We may not have all the answers, but we've done a little digging to share as much as we can because who doesn't want to know what Rebecca Yarros has been up to?

I'm new to the Empyrean series. Are "Fourth Wing" and "Iron Flame" really worth reading?

Amazon

I'm not going to lie to you. The editorial team, including myself, are extremely biased about Fourth Wingand Iron Flame. From my perspective, I think these are great books for anyone who had the pleasure of growing up during the great Harry Potter era and moved on to watchingGame of Thrones and House of Dragons.

Did she announce the name of book no. 3?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

YES! Book No. 3 is titled Oynx Storm.

Knowing what we do about the manifestation of Violet's powers, I think this could hint she's going to play an even larger role in the series. According to a fan theory shared on TikTok(via Empyrean Riders), it's believed that Violet and Xaden Riorson are actually gods. Stay with me here.

Empyrean Riders noted that Violet's last name means heavenly and that she's able to control time thanks to her connection to the young dragon Andarna (I love her so much!). That sounds pretty god-like to me.

And when asked which two Taylor Swift songs describe Onyx Storm, Rebecca Yarros chose "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" from The Tortured Poets Department and "So It Goes..." from Reputation. "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" is one of Taylor's most powerful songs and definitely translates the idea that Violet's powers are going to be stronger than ever, while "So It Goes..." is equal parts suspense and seduction, and is TOTALLY about "all the pieces fall right into place" to get together with the right person.

There's so much more to unpack so I suggest grabbing a yummy snack while you fall down the rabbit hole. All I'm sure of is that Onyx Storm is going to leave our emotions in shambles just like Fourth Wing and Iron Flame did.

When did Rebecca Yarros announce she's done writing book no. 3 in the series?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

On June 17, Rebecca Yarros shared this image of her laptop to indicate she'd finished the third book in the Empyrean series.

She wrote, "(Pic from one of the very many locations in which this book was written)," towards the end of the caption before adding a few relevant hashtags to it.

When will Onxy Storm be available for purchase?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

Rebecca Yarros exclusively told Good Morning America that fans can expect the book to hit shelves January 21, 2025! That gives us a little over six months to prepare our emotions for what's sure to be a storm of a book.

She said, "There will be politics, new adventures, old enemies and of course, dragons." There's no way she could forget the dragons because I'd willingly riot over them. They deserve to have their stories told forever.

As luck would have it, Cosmopolitan received an exciting first look at what's to come in Onyx Storm. The excerpt begins with Violet realizing the Venin have found their way into Basgiath War College and are wreaking havoc. Alongside Rhiannon, Sawyer, and Ridoc, she races to stop the Venin from releasing Jack Barlowe from his prison cell.

However, Violet's shocked when she discovered one of the "dark wielders" has a long silver braid that closely resembles her own. Before she can fully react, the woman disappears. According to Screen Rant, there are possible theories about why Violet saw her and what this means for her growing power.

Towards the end of the excerpt, Violet discovers the Venin want to capture her too. Also, Xaden makes his long-awaited appearance and it's clear their playful banter in the face of danger hasn't changed. That he hasn't fully changed into the Venin Violet's used to seeing.

I officially can't wait to read the rest of the book in January!

Has Rebecca Yarros revealed the cover for Onyx Storm?

Today/Bree Archer, Elizabeth Turner Stokes for Entangled Publishing

Onyx Storm

Yes!

TODAY received an exclusive look at the cover for Onyx Storm and it doesn't disappoint! Unlike its predecessors, it appears Rebecca Yarros is hinting that darker events will take place.

Fans of the Empyrean series aren't the only ones who are excited to see what fate has in store for our favorite characters though. In a statement to TODAY, Rebecca revealed how elated she is to be working on the series again. "It's amazing to be back with these characters again. She also said, ""I can't wait for readers to see what Violet, Xaden, and the rest of the quadrant have in store for them in Onyx Storm!"

Are you excited for the release of Onyx Storm? Follow us on Facebook for more entertainment news!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

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WHICH Movie Had Kate Winslet "Sh—ing" Herself?!

Kate Winslet is THE Hollywood actress to me. Not only has she starred in box office smashes like Titanic and Avatar: Way of Water, but she's proven her acting chops in breakout indie flicks and provided mothers and daughters everywhere with eternal Christmas movie nights thanks to The Holiday. But the actress' consistently viral kindness, her dedication to embracing her natural beauty, and her sophistication don't mean she always feels confident. Kate Winslet just spilled on the one movie from her career that had her "sh—ing" herself, and I just had to dive in.

Here's what Kate Winslet had to say about her scariest movie experience ever.

  • Kate Winslet made a name for herself with Titanic, Sense & Sensibility, and The Holiday.
  • However those movies aren't the film she wants fans to ask about!
  • The actress spills on the movies she's proud of, and the one job that had her "sh—ing myself."

Talking to Vanity Fair for her newest film Lee, Kate Winslet revealed one project she wishes fans asked about more is Iris. The 2001 film stars Kate as a young Iris Murdoch against Judi Dench's older counterpart. And for Kate, nothing was more terrifying than working with such a wonderful actress.

"People don’t really ask me about Iris. It’s such a delicate film," she says. "It was the first thing I had done after having my daughter. Going to work with a baby, I’m playing Iris Murdoch, looking to Judi Dench’s older Iris Murdoch — I was sh—ting myself."

Considering how nervous I get when I meet my heroes, I can only imagine what it was like to meet Dame Judi Dench. Talk about a dream! Another film Kate loves is Revolutionary Road, and not just because she got to reunite with Leonardo DiCaprio.

"The thing that people say is, 'You got to work with Leo again.' Then they go off on the whole Leo tangent, which I totally understand," she says of the film, which follows an ambitious couple who find themselves trapped in the reality of 1950s suburbia. "But Revolutionary Road — f—king hell, it just knocked us all sideways. Unbelievably difficult material. I was very proud of that film and what Leo and I were able to create as Frank and April. It was so brutal."

The process for getting Lee into the world sounds equally brutal, considering Kate started working on it over a decade ago. As producer, Kate tells Vanity Fair she doesn't mind the fact she's done more for the film than if she only had an acting credit. "That has felt very necessary for this film. But it’s also just really important to me," she says. "It’s important to me that people know that it’s out there and might feel compelled to go and see it."

Because it turns out, commercial success or stardom on its own doesn't actually help your movie get made! "It doesn’t matter who you are," she says. "No one’s going to go, 'Oh, I’ll just back that pony because she was in Titanic.' It doesn’t happen that way, and I never expected that. That’s really important to say."

"I've gotten older and I’ve learned more and felt more confident in myself about whether or not I could actually do it," she adds. "It’s not something I would’ve done had I not felt so passionately about the subject, and Lee was just—she wouldn’t let me go."

Let us know your favorite Kate Winslet movies in the comments, and since we've officially entered cozy season, check out Why The Holiday Movie Ending Is The Most Important Scene while you're at it!

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Here's A New Look At Florence Pugh's Return As Yelena Belova

Marvel movies are known for their heroes and their hopeful outlook on the world. But in 2025, we're getting a brand new team: the Thunderbolts. This team is made up of antiheroes and former villains, and it's sure to be the wackiest and strangest, as well as one of the most memorable, superhero movies we've seen in recent years.

Keep reading for the latest news on Thunderbolts* before it hits theaters in 2025.

Marvel Studios/YouTube

Thunderbolts* comes out this May, and the cast just showed off some brand new footage at the D23 convention — and thanks to the new 'Celebrating 85 Years' spot, we have the first look too!

We get a look at Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, John Walker, and Ghost. Plus, Yelena Belova, of course. This heartbreaking detail about Yelena's new look connects Florence Pugh's Yelena to Scarlett Johansson's Natashaand I'm WEEPING.

Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios

And at D23 Brazil, we got a brand new look at my new favorite team. "There’s something in this film, in terms of superpowers and superheroes, that shows that our superpowers lie in how ‘broken’ we are," David Harbour said at the event. "As if our superpowers came from our relationships.”

What is the plot of Thunderbolts?

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Thunderbolts* Plot

Consider Thunderbolts* to be The Avengers' edgy younger sibling. The movie follows Yelena Belova (who we know off the bat is a "depressed assassin" thanks to a Marvel Studios press release). She's joined by Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, and John Walker. Based on a leak, it looks like we'll see this group of misfits team up against Valentina Allegra de Fontaine after she sends them on a deadly mission.

Thunderbolts* Release Date

Jesse Grant/Disney

Thunderbolts* Release Date

Thunderbolts* hits theaters May 2, 2025.

Who's on the Thunderbolts team?

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Thunderbolts* Cast

Thunderbolts* stars Florence Pugh, Geraldine Viswanathan, Lewis Pullman, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour.

This is a huge cast, and Viswanathan just revealed how crazy the first day of filming was. “My first day didn’t feel real," she tells Vanity Fair. "I felt this extra pressure of, ‘Know your lines, babe. You can’t really play around like you usually do.’"

Historically, sci-fi fans haven't been kind to actresses in their favorite projects (remember when Star Wars fans bullied Kelly Marie Tran off social media?). But Viswanathan is already thinking ahead. “If it’s overwhelming, I’ll log off. But I like discourse around pop culture,” she says. “[Thunderbolts*] felt a little bit edgier and fresher, more existential and dark.”

Jesse Grant/Disney

The rest of the cast also enjoyed working together. “Everyone is going to f—kin’ love me! It’s really, really, really fun to be with a group of actors that you have a good time with," Wyatt Russell says at Comic Con (via Variety), while David Harbour adds, “Florence Pugh [is] just electric to work with. There’s warmth and humor, but there’s also a lot of pathos.”

“This is why we can't stop laughing together, because we genuinely just had such a wonderful time with each other and we've loved working with one another," Pugh tells People. “I feel like this is something that we've never seen before from Marvel...it's a very open and honest and truthful idea. And I'm just really excited for people to watch it.”

Are you excited for this brand new chapter in the MCU? I really feel like Thunderbolts* will usher in a whole new generation of fans and I, for one, CANNOT WAIT! Let us know your thoughts on Facebook.

Lead images via Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

This post has been updated.

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