Midway through production on the 2020 season of The Bachelorette, the franchise alum fielded a call from producers to take over the starring role from Claire Crawley, who had unexpectedly exited early after finding love.
During a time of controversy and uncertainty for the hit ABC and Warner Horizon franchise after the problematic season of The Bachelor, the former Bachelorettes signed on to co-host the 2021 cycle that was left rudderless by the departure of Chris Harrison.
When Adams and Bristowe accepted the high-profile hosting rose, the franchise was making national news over its failures in handling race.
“I know that we are a huge step for the franchise,” Adams tells The Hollywood Reporter of the two women serving as the current face of the show.
Adams and Bristowe spoke to THR together during a press day for the now airing cycle with Thurston.
We are Tayshia and Kaitlyn who have been in the position of a Bachelorette; we’ve been a contestant, we can relate to everybody who is living through this journey.
Not many women or people in the world can actually say that, and us providing that perspective for her is something you are definitely going to see in the conversations throughout the season.
It surprised me because he has been a part of the show and the face of this show for 20 years, however many seasons.
Katie is very sex-positive; Kaitlyn can really hone in on those conversations with her and let her feel comfortable in being who she is, and be empowered and strong.
For viewers at home, sometimes you think, “Why are you crying night one? You just met her.” But being there, you’re in it and your emotions are so high.
Adams: At the time, when you’re in the position as lead, you don’t know if you can trust anybody or if you’re making the right decision.
There are so many steps that are being taken to change the franchise right now, but this was something that I wanted to definitely be a part of and have my hand in.
I think Tayshia and I both came into it saying, “We want to be a part of the change.” We wanted to see it in every way possible and I think we were both really pleased in what we saw.
I think it’s great to see that it’s not just for the lead, but for everybody else behind the scenes and all of the contestants.
They actually gave us the opportunity to sit down and say anything that we were feeling: “What do you think? What do you feel? What could change?” And I really appreciated them coming to us to make sure we felt .
Adams: Since the first day, they said, “If you guys have any insight, please let us know.” And we really did have the opportunity to chime in and say we want this or that.
Bristowe: Well, we can’t go back now! I think we did a pretty good job — if I find out where they’re filming and I’m not a part of it, I’m showing up anyways! I think you have to really listen to your audience, whether that is them sharing their concerns about the show or what they love about the show.
Anything that you are putting out into the world where there is an audience watching, you always want to evolve as a show and I think they have the opportunity to always grow.
I think change is something they are open to, obviously, and very aware of, as you can tell with just us sitting here right now.
If you get to a point where you’re so overwhelmed with emotions that you want to quit and go home, I kept joking that then you’re doing it right.