The season finale of The Bachelor season 26 is finally on Tuesday, March 15 and fans are waiting on the edge of their sofas to see who Clayton Echard picks. There has been a lot of speculation on who he will give his final rose to, and tonight there are only two hopefuls left. Clayton was a contestant on The Bachelorette season 18 and was one of the many men vying for Michelle Young’s heart. Sadly, Michelle sent Clayton home early on in the season, leaving Clayton devastated but determined to find his true love.
The Bachelor season 26 got a lot of criticism from fans for being a disappointing season. Clayton was an unexpected pick, as he wasn’t a fan favorite on The Bachelorette. He didn’t stand out to viewers or Michelle and hardly got any screen time. However, producers saw him as the underdog and thought he would capture the hearts of The Bachelor fans. Unfortunately, viewers failed to connect with him and as the season unfolded, Clayton received backlash for saying “I love you” to three women.
Clayton shared on The Bachelor that he had the strongest physical connection with Rachel Recchia after they rode a helicopter together during their Fantasy Suite date. During dinner, he laid out his feelings for her and they spent the night together in the Fantasy Suite. The next morning, Rachel said she couldn’t have imagined the night going any better. After Clayton’s date with Gabby Windey, he professed his love to her as well and called their relationship “easy.” Upon Susie leaving, fans thought either Gabby or Rachel would be receiving the final rose, but there are plenty of rumors that there will be a major plot twist.
With only Gabby and Rachel left on The Bachelor, there are plenty of rumors swirling around as to who Clayton picks in the finale. Susie Evans, who was in the final three, left after learning that Clayton had been intimate with another woman. Although Clayton told Susie he was in love with her, she couldn’t get past the fact that he had slept with someone else. Clayton confessed to being in love with Gabby and Rachel as well, but there is talk that Susie comes back on the finale and she is Clayton’s final pick.
The Bachelor creator Mike Fleiss bragged that season 26 is totally spoiler-proof but the internet sleuths are just too crafty. Somehow, word got out that Clayton convinces Susie to come back. According to rumors, Susie meets Clayton’s parents and he chooses her over Gabby and Rachel. However, on the final rose ceremony day, Susie tells Clayton she isn’t in love with him and walks away. Clayton has previously shared that he does find love on The Bachelor so it’s hard to know what to believe.
The Bachelor season 26 finale airs Tuesday, March 15 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.
