When host Chris Harrison introduced the 31 contestants trying to win over The Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay live on Facebook and Twitter, he made it clear this group was different. "They are a part of the most successful, most diverse and, of course, most dramatic cast we have ever had on the show," Harrison said. It's true, the guys on Season 13 are more diverse than ever in age, race, and occupation. This year, there's only one model and one personal trainer amongst a sea of doctors, lawyers, and guys taking the tech world by storm. But, does Lindsay's season of the Bachelorette have the most contestants ever?
It turns out that this season is making history in more ways than one: Not only is Lindsay is the first African-American Bachelorette, but she also now holds the record for the most contestants vying for her affection. Plus, it's hard to believe it's a coincidence that Lindsay is 31 years old and she'll be choosing from 31 different guys.
Before this season, the most contestants featured on The Bachelorette was 30 guys during Season 5 with Jillian Harris, when they added five from previous seasons of the show. (Don't feel bad for Harris, the Canadian still holds the record for the first Bachelorette to not be from America.) Before Harris, the show kept things pretty consistent with around 25 contestants. Meanwhile, Season 12 Bachelorette JoJo Fletcher and Season 11's Kaitlyn Bristowe both started their seasons with 26 guys.
Fun fact: Lindsay actually holds the record for the most contestants in Bachelor/ette history, being that the most women who have appeared on the Bachelor is 30 and it's happened a few times starting with Brad Womack in Season 15. Chris Soules on Season 18 would also get to choose from 30 women, along with the most recent bachelor Nick Viall, whose season was previously cited as the most diverse season of The Bachelor. (Of course, that show still has a ways to go, specifically they need a non-white Bachelor.)
But just because Lindsay has the most contestants, that doesn't mean the show is going to change its rules completely. According to The Hollywood Reporter, 31 contestants will compete for Lindsay's love on the May 22 premiere, but only 23 will be given roses. This means there are going to be a lot of unhappy guys packing their bags and heading home without a date.
Check out the photos from Lindsay's first night with the contestants to see if you can guess who will be going home early. If you need help guessing, maybe check out which of Lindsay's contestants got the most shade from host Chris Harrison. Seriously, he is already being so savage.
