ABC
Zach Shallcross is the next Bachelor!
Host Jesse Palmer announced during part two of The Bachelorette finale on Tuesday that the 25-year-old tech executive from Anaheim Hills, California, would be taking on the leading role for season 27.
“There’s no words. I’m just taking this in right now. This is pretty incredible,” Zach said of the news. “This is once in a lifetime, awesome, incredible opportunity.”
Zach first appeared on the franchise during the latest season of The Bachelorette where he vied for Rachel Recchia’s heart. It seemed that the couple had a strong bond, but things took a turn for the worse after an awkward Fantasy Suite date. Rachel questioned Zach’s readiness for an engagement because of his age, which led to Zach calling his off-camera conversation with Rachel “inauthentic.”
The two reunited live, in-studio and cleared the air. “You are such an incredible guy,” Rachel told Zach, who replied, “I want the best for you, always.”
On his new journey to find love, Zach confirmed that he is ready for marriage and added that his experience with Rachel “didn’t change how ready I was.”
“I’m now more ready. That’s almost fuel to the fire,” he said. “I’m ready to find my person, my best friend. I want to walk away from this with someone for the rest of my life.”
In terms of what he is looking for in a relationship, Zach shared: “I think it’s really important to let yourself be vulnerable… Let yourself be true, be open, then it can really happen. I saw it first-hand. It’s just going to be a blast.”
Season 27 of The Bachelor will premiere Monday, Jan. 23.