‘The Bachelor’: Katie Thurston’s Instagram Plays Coy About Reality Steve’s ‘Bachelorette’ Spoilers

[Spoiler alert: What happens to Katie Thurston on The Bachelor and potential spoilers about the new bachelorette.]

Bachelor Nation fans went wild when franchise blogger Reality Steve revealed Katie Thurston as the next bachelorette. The contestant was an early fan-favorite from Matt James’ season. So, after her elimination in week 6, many viewers were happy to hear the contestant could potentially return to the franchise one day. But recently, Katie seemingly shut down the Bachelorette rumors on her Instagram Stories — here’s what she said.

Reality Steve says Katie Thurston is the next bachelorette in 2021

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On Feb. 6, Reality Steve shared that Katie will be announced as the next bachelorette for the 2021 season. 

“At the “Women Tell All” taping this past Thursday, Katie Thurston was announced as the next bachelorette,” Reality Steve wrote on Twitter. “Katie gets eliminated on Monday’s episode during her 1-on-1 with Matt.”

Following Reality Steve’s findings, Bachelor Nation fans patiently watched Katie’s journey come to an end on Matt’s season. As the blogger revealed, Katie went on a one-on-one date with Matt. But, after a fun date with a cameo from The Bachelorette’s Tyler Cameron, Matt sent Katie home. 

“I know what I deserve, and I deserve a man who know what I have to offer,” Katie said in the Feb. 8 episode. “I am who I am, and there’s someone out there who wants that.”

Katie Thurston teases ‘The Bachelorette’ rumors on her Instagram Story

Katie Thurston from ‘The Bachelor’ Season 25 | Craig Sjodin via Getty Images

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Before The Bachelor Season 25 Episode 6 aired on ABC, Katie seemingly addressed the Bachelorette rumors on her Instagram. 

“Reading my texts this morning like news to me,” Katie wrote on her Instagram Stories on Feb. 7.

Meanwhile, Mariela “Mari” Pepin — who is also from Matt’s season of The Bachelor — denied Reality Steve’s original post about Katie on Twitter. 

“False,” she wrote.

‘The Bachelor’ franchise is reportedly eyeing Katie Thurston as ‘The Bachelorette’ Season 17 lead

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While Katie’s statement on Instagram may indicate she won’t be the next bachelorette, Reality Steve issued a correction to his previous spoilers. In a post on Twitter published on Feb. 8, the blogger revealed that Katie wasn’t announced at the “Women Tell All” taping. Rather, Reality Steve claimed his source said, “It’s Katie and it came out at WTA.” He also stated that Katie’s official Bachelorette announcement will be made this week.

“I’ve been told it’s confirmed it’s Katie and she’ll be named this week,” Reality Steve tweeted.

Meanwhile, Variety reported that ABC is currently looking at Katie for the next bachelorette. However, the network has yet to come to a final decision. So, for now, Bachelor Nation fans must wait and see what happens next.

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That said, it seems Matt has something to say about Katie’s potential new role. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight from February 2021, Matt was asked about fans who want Katie to be the next bachelorette. And while the current bachelor was unable to give away too many details, Matt thinks Katie will “have her time” within the franchise.

“You saw night one the type of woman that Katie is,” Matt said. “She isn’t going to be afraid to be herself, and you have seen that with the way that she has handled her business.”

He later added, “Katie will have her time. And having a woman like that in the house made the experience better for anybody.”

The Bachelor Season 25 with Matt James airs Monday nights on ABC.