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Bachelor Nation is gearing up for Michelle Young‘s season of The Bachelorette. The 28-year-old teacher was a former contestant on Matt James’ season of The Bachelor. Although she was sent home, this proved to be only one small step in her journey in The Bachelor franchise. However, this journey might not have begun if it wasn’t for the pandemic.

Matt James and Michelle Young sit holding hands and smiling while looking at a planner on 'The Bachelor.' Young will be the bachelorette on season 18.
Matt James and Michelle Young | Craig Sjodin via Getty Images

Michelle Young was on Matt James’ season of ‘The Bachelor’

Fans of The Bachelor may have forgotten that Young was not one of the original women on Matt James’ season. Instead, Young joined the show with five other women in week 3 of season 25. Despite her late arrival, Young quickly caught James’ eye.

In the end, James’ season came down to two remaining women, Young and Rachael Kirkconnell. James’ chose to forgo The Bachelor norms of a final rose ceremony. He and Young had one final date where they repelled down the side of a building.

That night, Young showed James basketball jerseys she had made labeled with “Mr. James” and “Mrs. James.” However, James confessed that he didn’t think he could get there and sent Young home. Luckily, Young will be returning for The Bachelorette.

Bachelorette Michelle Young almost didn’t meet Matt James

By now, Bachelor Nation is well aware that Young is a dedicated fifth-grade teacher. When meeting James for the first time, her students were almost all Young could talk about. “I’m constantly thinking about my students and what kind of year it is with the pandemic,” Young told James.

Ironically, the pandemic was perhaps the thing that allowed Young to make the decision to come on The Bachelor. Thanks to remote education, Young was able to film James’ season without missing too much school. “If there wasn’t a pandemic, honestly, I probably wouldn’t be here, because I would have chosen to stay in the classroom the whole time,” she told The Star Tribune.

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Some of Young’s students even made a virtual appearance during her hometown date with James. The kids jumped right in with questions for James on his relationship with Young. It was easy to get a sense of the admiration Young’s students have for their teacher.

Similarly, Young had her students in mind when considering becoming the bachelorette. “I said, if you want me to do The Bachelorette, you’ve gotta move it to the summer, and they did,” she explained to The Star Tribune.

Michelle Young stars in ‘The Bachelorette’ Season 18

It’s been months since Young was announced as the bachelorette for the show’s 18th season. Now, the wait is almost over to begin watching Young’s journey to find love. The Bachelorette Season 18 will premiere on Oct. 19, 2021.

Thirty eligible bachelors will compete for Young’s love, and the competition looks pretty fierce. Of course, there will be plenty of references to Young’s occupation as a teacher. The preview for Young’s season shows one contestant dressed as an apple and a group date with the men sitting at desks in a classroom.

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