5 things to know about 'Bachelorette' star Michelle Young
A new season of "The Bachelorette" is here, so it's time to learn all about the show's newest star: Michelle Young.
Young, a 28-year-old elementary school teacher who was first introduced as a late arrival to Matt James' recent season of "The Bachelor," is stepping into the spotlight and beginning her journey to find love.
"I have high expectations, but that's because I'm willing to do those things as well, and I do hand out some passing grades," Young teased to "Good Morning America" Tuesday. "Do I hand out some failing grades too? At time. At times I do."
There's plenty of romance and drama coming her way when it comes to the group of men competing for her heart.
"My season is, right off the bat, like, let's talk about life," she explained. "I want to know what their thoughts are in being with a biracial woman or being, you know, with someone who is a teacher or all of these different controversies and pain that we're kind of surrounded by. I wanted to know how someone would handle that."
Young also said her students supported her on this journey and have high hopes for her.
"The thing that just touched me the most is genuinely how much they just want me to find my person," she told "GMA." "I just remember a student saying, 'Miss Young, I just want you to find someone who treats you well,' and how can that not touch you?"
In the end, Young seems to have found happiness at the end of her season -- she just isn't spoiling fans on whether or not it was with one of her suitors.
"I stuck to my guns. I stuck to who I was in every single moment," she said. "I'm in love with where I'm at right now."
Want to know more about Michelle? Read on below.
1. She only recently joined Instagram.
Unlike other residents of Bachelor Nation, Young is relatively new to the whole social media game. In fact, she didn't join Instagram until April 2020.
"A little late to the Instagram party but, I made it," Young captioned her first post, providing social media wasn't too steep of a learning curve for her by adding a shrugging emoji.
2. She's an athletic Minnesotan who loves kids.
Young was born and raised in Minnesota, where she most recently lived and taught elementary school before joining "The Bachelor" franchise.
She played basketball in high school and Division I basketball at Bradley University in Illinois. She graduated in 2015 with a degree in elementary education.
In one of her dates with James on "The Bachelor," she even introduced him to some of her students.
3. She's ready to find love.
In her bio for James' "Bachelor" season, she described herself as a "loyal, compassionate and supportive" person who "shows love through acts of service." She described her dream man as "confident but not cocky" and someone who "will look at her as his equal in all things."
In her bio for her "Bachelorette" season, Young said she's "looking for the Superman to her Superwoman" and she's "ready to find a love with whom she can start a family of her own." Ultimately, though, her "big dreams for the future" involve having a partner with whom she can "make the world a better place."
4. She was nervous to be the new Bachelorette.
Young said on the "After the Final Rose" special from James' season she had initial reservations about being the new Bachelorette -- but not for the reason you're probably thinking.
This didn't stem from being apprehensive to being the center of the action or to find her soulmate, it was because she though she might have to share a season with Thurston, as their seasons were announced simultaneously.
"I would be lying if I didn't say when they first told me I thought we were gonna be the Bachelorette at the same time, and so I was a little nervous," she said at the time. "But once I found out it was two different seasons, I was here for it."
5. She isn't afraid to stand up for what she believes in.
During the controversy surrounding Rachel Kirkconnell from James' season, which ultimately led to longtime host Chris Harrison leaving the franchise after 19 years, Young and some of her fellow contestants spoke out.
A group of women, who all identify as BIPOC, issued a statement on their Instagram accounts to "denounce any defense of racism" and to demand change.
"We are the women of Bachelor Season 25. Twenty-five women who identify as BIPOC were cast on this historic season that was meant to represent change," they statement read, referencing James' status as the first Black Bachelor. "We are deeply disappointed and want to make it clear that we denounce any defense of racism. Any defense of racist behavior denies the lived and continued experiences of BIPOC individuals. These experiences are not to be exploited or tokenized."
"Rachel Lindsay continues to advocate with 'grace' for individuals who identify as BIPOC within this franchise," the statement continued. "Just because she is speaking the loudest, doesn't mean she is alone. We stand with her, and we advocate for change alongside her."
Young follows in the footsteps of Lindsay and Tayshia Adams as the franchise's third Black Bachelorette.
"The Bachelorette" season 18 premieres Tuesday, Oct. 19, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
