She's Ready! What to Know about Charity’s Season of ‘The Bachelorette’

Her turn! After Zach Shallcross sent Charity Lawson home on The Bachelor, she has her own chance to find The One on The Bachelorette season 20.

“I definitely am looking for someone who is a compassionate person, so someone who is extremely kind and treats others well,” the child and family therapist said of becoming the Bachelorette during a March 2023 appearance on Good Morning America. “I think, for me, that’s something that I value and I have in myself, so I also want that in my partner. But also, I love to laugh and have a good time, so a sense of humor, I think that’s huge. So, anyone who can come up with a good joke or two is a winner.”

Bachelor Nation first met Charity on Zach’s season of The Bachelor, which concludes at the end of March. After making it to hometowns week, the Texas resident sent Charity home in favor of his connections with Gabi Elnicki, Ariel Frenkel and Kaity Biggar. (Ariel was later eliminated after Zach’s fantasy suites week.)

“It was the toughest decision to date by far,” Zach exclusively told Us Weekly at the Women Tell All taping about saying goodbye to Charity. “It was such a strong relationship and her family was so funny and welcoming and loving, and when I had to wake up on the morning at the ceremony, I had to make a very difficult decision because the other three women too were all awesome and unique and their families were great in their own way.”

At the end of the Bachelor season 27 special, host Jesse Palmer announced that the Auburn University grad would lead her own season.

“In a couple of months, there’s a very good chance that you’re going to be engaged to the love of your life,” the former football player told the Bachelor season 27 alum during the episode. “Your life really is going to change. It’s never going to be the same. It could not happen to a more deserving person.”

Charity replied: “I’ve waited forever to find the love of my life. It blows my mind that I could meet my person and be engaged and literally have my happily ever after. … I can’t wait to show little girls that look like me that being in a position like this is possible. I know that I’ll be making a lot of people proud.”

The Georgia native is the fourth Black Bachelorette, following Rachel Lindsay, Tayshia Adams and Michelle Young’s respective tenures. Matt James, for his part, has been the franchise’s sole Black Bachelor.

“I’m still processing that I’m your newest BACHELORETTE!!! To have this opportunity to find love again is something I am so grateful for, and don’t take lightly,” Charity wrote via Instagram later in March. “As much as this is my journey, I am acknowledging that this is far bigger than myself. I cannot wait to continue to share my story with you all!”

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Scroll below to learn more about Charity’s season of The Bachelorette:

When Was Charity Lawson Named the Lead?
Palmer revealed during the March Women Tell All special of The Bachelor that Charity would be the star of season 20 of The Bachelorette. “Are you kidding? No way. I’m gonna cry,” she exclaimed during the broadcast. “Yes, absolutely [I’ll be the Bachelorette]. 100 percent! I’m shaking right now.” Courtesy of Charity Lawson/Instagram

Has Filming Started?
Several weeks later in March, Charity kicked off filming at the Bachelor Mansion. Courtesy of Charity Lawson/Instagram

When Does Season 20 of ‘The Bachelorette’ Premiere?
The Bachelorette returns for season 20 Monday, June 26, at 9 p.m. ET. ABC/Ricky Middlesworth

What Does Charity Lawson Think of Her Suitors?
“I'm a little giddy. Definitely smitten. I have a good batch of boys. ... I was laughing the whole night,” she gushed to Entertainment Tonight in March after meeting her contestants on Night 1. “I'm so grateful and so fortunate to be here.” Courtesy of Charity Lawson/Instagram

Did ABC Announce Charity Lawson’s Contestants?
ABC has not officially confirmed the lineup of Charity’s suitors. However, they did briefly drop 29 contenders via Facebook early in March. While the social media upload has since been deleted, there was a large pool of men with ages ranging from 24 to 38. Courtesy of Charity Lawson/Instagram

What Does Zach Shallcross Think About Charity Lawson as The Bachelorette?
“She knows what she wants. She is so confident, she's so sweet and, you know, she has a great heart,” Zach exclusively told Us in March. “She’s someone from the very beginning that — I don't know what exactly it was — but [she] was just trustworthy. She was someone that I asked to, like, get her take on things and while there was some drama in the house early, she was always someone that I believed in [and] I trusted it too. She's a very trustworthy person and I think she [will] absolutely kill it as Bachelorette.” RW/MediaPunch/Shutterstock

Are Any Bachelor Nation Alum Involved in Filming?
When filming began in late March, former Bachelorettes Gabby Windey and Rachel Recchia were seen hosting one of Charity’s group dates. A few days later, JoJo Fletcher and husband Jordan Rodgers were seen at another one of Charity’s outings in Southern California. Tammie Arroyo/Shutterstock

What Has Jesse Palmer Said About Charity?
The host posed for a picture with the mental health therapist on the beach as they began filming the new season. “And she’s off!!! 🌹,” he wrote via Twitter on March 30. “Charity is on her way to finding love!!! 🌹 🌹 🌹.” Courtesy of Jesse James Palmer/Twitter