After joining Matt James’s season of the Bachelor as a late arrival last season, Michelle Young immediately stole the show with her mesmerizing smile and sense of humor.

Taking the role of the Bachelorette after Katie Thurston’s season, Young is ready to inspire America. As a former Division 1 basketball player from Minnesota, the 28-year-old kindergarten teacher is ready to not only meet her soulmate but to make a difference. Young is determined to find a man who is supportive and who can be the superman to her superwoman.

Season 18 of The Bachelorette kicked off on Oct. 19, 2021, at 8 p.m. EST on ABC, starting with 30 men. Former bachelorette duo Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe have been leading the way for Thurston and now for Young.

No set host has been announced since Chris Harrison stepped down after 19 years of hosting the Bachelor and Bachelorette. Harrison had defended Rachel Kirkconnell after images appeared of her from an “Old South” party in college after James picked her as not his fiance, but his girlfriend. Sources say they did break up because of this, but after working through their issues, are now back together.
The season is in full swing as Young has already sent a couple of bachelors home, has given out two first impression roses and has had a one-on-one and two group dates.

Fan favorite 28-year-old Joe Coleman, also from Minnesota, was crowned Mr. Basketball in 2011 while Michelle was runner up for Ms. Basketball that same year. On night one, when Coleman exited the limo, Young unapologetically said, “Have I slid into your DMs?”

These two had been messaging through Instagram when Coleman left her on read and then all of a sudden appeared on her season of the Bachelorette. Young said she needed to protect her heart and make sure he was there for the right reasons and ended up putting him through two rose ceremonies and giving him the rose during the next group date.

Other men in the house started noticing the two seemed closer than usual and questioned if they connected prior to the show. Jamie, who got the first one-on-one date, announced that his friend saw Young with a light-skinned man and was questioning if it had been Coleman.

Young addressed these rumors and said just because she is a black woman with a light-skinned man, this does not mean they are together. With tears in her eyes, she explained that she is a woman of color hanging out with another black man and people automatically assume she is with him.

Here lies another reason why Young is such a fan favorite: she is a strong advocate for Black Lives Matter and truly wears her heart on her sleeve. Co-Host Adams says, “It’s like a fairy tale, which is different, I think.”
Tayshia added. “You guys will understand that word at the end. It unfolds beautifully,” in an interview with E! As the season unfolds, so will the drama, tears and most importantly, falling in love.