Something big is happening in Bachelor Nation (and we don’t mean this Bachelor in Paradise couple’s surprise engagement). For the past two days, Bachelor boss Mike Fleiss has been teasing a “shocking” announcement about the franchise, and while he has yet to actually announce anything, fans are having fun just speculating about the supposedly huge reveal.
Fleiss has been amping up the excitement over the past 48 hours with a string of teasing tweets. “OK, stand by for shocking news regarding #thebachelor,” he tweeted on Wednesday, August 30. More than 24 hours later, when there was still no news, he wrote, “Ok, SIT by for truly shocking news regarding #thebachelor.” He followed that with: “Hoping to make unbelievably shocking announcement today regarding #thebachelor. Waiting for final approval…”
Ok, SIT by for truly shocking news regarding #TheBachelor…
— Mike Fleiss (@fleissmeister) August 31, 2017
Hoping to make unbelievably shocking announcement today regarding #thebachelor. Waiting for final approval…
— Mike Fleiss (@fleissmeister) August 31, 2017
When someone asked, “Aren’t YOU the final approval? Just say it!!!!!” Fleiss joked, “Waiting to give myself final approval for #thebachelor announcement. Hopefully, I’ll call myself back before the end of the day…”
Waiting to give myself final approval for #thebachelor announcement. Hopefully, I'll call myself back before the end of the day… https://t.co/UlpaufWwWQ
— Mike Fleiss (@fleissmeister) August 31, 2017
Alas, the end of the day came and went with no Bachelor-related news except a (now-deleted) tweet from Good Morning America promoting an announcement about the franchise’s next leading man on Friday morning. The tweet disappeared shortly after it was posted, but fans tuned in anyway — only to be disappointed once more.
Anyone else curious as to why @GMA didn't announce #TheBachelor this morning? Pulled their tweet as well. What has @fleissmeister done? 🤔
— Kathy (@leafsweetie) September 1, 2017
Wasn't me… https://t.co/pzpGeBZgrH
— Mike Fleiss (@fleissmeister) September 1, 2017
Woke up early expecting @GMA's announcement about #thebachelor. But now it's not happening and their tweet from last night was deleted?! pic.twitter.com/mOgPaMR8rM
— Married w/Television (@marriedTVpod) September 1, 2017
@RealitySteve What happened to #TheBachelor announcement on @GMA ?? @BachelorABC teased us??
— Judy (@juders12) September 1, 2017
I've been refreshing twitter all morning waiting for #TheBachelor announcement. What gives, GMA?
— Winter (@WrenRenegade) September 1, 2017
So… what. Is. Happening? Some people are looking to Fleiss’s other recent tweets for clues, which has led to some (probably unwarranted) concerns about the franchise’s future.
Please say these have no correlation…. pic.twitter.com/I29QaADDxx
— kat hen (@katiehenry_) August 31, 2017
@ABCNetwork better not cut #TheBachelor 😮😮😮😮😮😮
— Melissa Haas❤️ (@MrsVinceVaughn1) September 1, 2017
Did ABC cut #TheBachelor franchise??? #noway #crazytalk
— Ashley Ellis (@ashleylongellis) September 1, 2017
@leafsweetie @GMA pretty clear ABC cut #TheBachelor 😱
— Ashley Ellis (@ashleylongellis) September 1, 2017
But most of the speculation is around the identity of the next Bachelor.
Perhaps recently single Nick Viall?
What would be "shocking" is if you let Nick be #thebachelor again
— prettybaby (Helen) (@prettybaby2525) September 1, 2017
Next thing y'all gone tell me is… Nick Viall is taking another shot at love on The Bachelor. pic.twitter.com/KMbGg4CGxM
— Kels 🌼💯💪❤ (@zaynlove2016) September 1, 2017
Or fan-fave Eric Bigger?
I think it might be Eric because he posted a picture last night on his Instagram at a restaurant in NYC #TheBachelor
— Aniyah (@Aniyahrocks1234) September 1, 2017
Unless they are announcing Eric as The Bachelor, no one is going to be shocked. pic.twitter.com/9tJuo6LsRC
— I'M COSTRAFOBIC (@ineedpinot) August 31, 2017
Or maybe even Wells Adams, the (new) Bachelor in Paradise bartender?
@RealitySteve please say Wells had a shot at #TheBachelor …???
— Audra McElyea (@AudraMcElyea) September 1, 2017
Hopefully they are deciding to go with Wells at the last minute… #TheBachelor
— Audra McElyea (@AudraMcElyea) September 1, 2017
Not surprisingly, most people think the next Bachelor is Rachel Lindsay’s runner-up, Peter Kraus — but some wonder if the announcement was delayed because he had a change of heart.
I woke up early to find out who the next @BachelorABC was. & @GMA didn't even announce it. Peter probably got cold feet..again! #thebachelor
— Mia Christina (@MariaDarling89) September 1, 2017
Mike Fleiss & Good Morning America both delete #TheBachelor announcement tweets: What happened? Did Peter back out? https://t.co/Y5v6y4DCeZ
— TheScoop (@ThatDealDiva) September 1, 2017
Just because Peter didn't feel ready to propose to Rachel doesn't mean he can't get to that point with another girl #TheBachelor 🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️
— sydney (@sydneywalsh06) September 1, 2017
Ladies , Peter low key owns the bachelor franchise. He has mike fleiss and all the big wigs on their knees and they hate it… HATE IT!! pic.twitter.com/0h3fQoYySO
— Lovely One (@vo26) September 1, 2017
Once peter is announced as the bachelor tomorrow, catch me on the show trying to win his heart every Monday night when it premieres pic.twitter.com/amABmotZRO
— avery (@forevergirlmila) September 1, 2017
"If peter is the bachelor are you kidding me!? I'm going to live tweet the whole season!" –#hubzquotes
— A. Penguin Face (@alexandretti) September 1, 2017
One fan proposed an idea to turn the mystery into a good deed.
you should host a FB live donate event and tell us who #TheBachelor is when we raise a certain amount of money for the Hurricane victims!
— Katie Bartlett (@cheez4meez) September 1, 2017
In any case, we’ll be sure to bring you the big news as soon as the announcement has been made.
What do you think the “shocking” Bachelor announcement will be? Let us know @BritandCo!
(Photo via ABC/Craig Sjodin)