Everything Katie Thurston Has Said About How Her Season of ‘The Bachelorette’ Ends

Credit: ABC

Everything Katie Thurston Has Said About How Her Season of 'The Bachelorette' Ends

Ready to find The One! Katie Thurston knew exactly what she was looking for before starting her journey on The Bachelorette — and she wasn't willing to settle for less. Fans met Katie during Matt James' season 25 of The Bachelor, which aired in early 2021, and she quickly became a favorite for her outspoken nature and positive personality. During the After the Final Rose special in March, she was announced as the lead for season 17 of The Bachelorette, with fellow season 25 alum Michelle Young following in her footsteps for season 18. "This is a modern-day Cinderella [story] for me," Katie told Good Morning America at the time. "I know nothing about the men yet. I don't know what they look like. I don't even know how many men there are here." Filming kicked off in New Mexico later that month and wrapped "ahead of schedule," a source told Us Weekly exclusively. "Katie was in control and made sure the men she wanted were there and the men she wasn't interested in, she sent packing," the insider noted in April 2021. To help her navigate the challenging experience, former leads Kaitlyn Bristowe and Tayshia Adams offered their expert advice in place of ousted host Chris Harrison, who officially exited the franchise amid backlash for his defense of Rachael Kirkconnell. The dynamic duo brought a different energy to the set and were thrilled to help Katie find love. "She keeps her options open," Kaitlyn told Us in June 2021, noting that first impression rose winner Greg Grippo "really stood out" to them. [jwplayer xe0uIlLo-l3ahXupL] Going into the show, Katie knew she would want to walk away engaged to her future husband. "I'm looking for a mature man who can handle himself, understand what he signed up for, which is you're sharing a girlfriend right now and do the best that they can," she told Us, noting that she was incredibly "serious" about the process. "If the thought of being engaged scares you, then you're not ready to be with me." Though she was swept off her feet by Greg — and a handful of other standouts — on night one of her season, one of Katie's cohosts warned her not to fall too hard too fast. "Kaitlyn said, 'Don't fall in love with one person on the first night, be open,'" she recalled. "And then Tayshia was the one who said, you know, 'Surrender to the process. Trust the journey.'" While the road to a relationship came with its fair share of ups and downs, Katie wouldn't have done it any other way. "I am happy," she teased of her final decision in June 2021. Keep scrolling to see all the times Katie has hinted at how her season ends: [podcast_block]

Credit: ABC/Craig Sjodin

No One Like Her

“I don’t think that this has ever happened. I’ll say that,” Katie exclusively told Us in July 2021 following the Men Tell All special. “So it’s a first, for sure. And a shocking ending.”

Credit: ABC/Craig Sjodin

Lots of Love

"I mean I definitely found love this season," she teased during a July 2021 interview with E! News. "I think it's very obvious with the men that I have gone through this with. If I found the love, we'll have to find out still."

Credit: ABC/Craig Sjodin

No Regrets

"There's obviously going to be what-ifs, but ultimately I'm very happy with how everything turned out,” the TV personality told Tayshia and Kaitlyn at the Men Tell All in July 2021. “I'm thankful for all the moments I've had with these men. And so ultimately, I don't have any regrets."

Credit: ABC/Craig Sjodin

After the Final Rose Tease

Katie seemingly confirmed in late July that the After the Final Rose special already taped and things didn’t go smoothly via Twitter. After Bachelor season 24 alum Madison Prewett tweeted, “Never trust your tongue when your heart is wounded. Hush until you heal,” Katie responded, “Should have read this before AFR.”

Credit: Craig Sjodin/ABC

Expect the Unexpected

After confirming to Nick Viall in June that she gets her “heart broken” on the series, Katie teased the conclusion of her journey. “The end gets crazy,” she said on the “Viall Files” podcast. “It’s, like, not traditional at all. And I’m like, ‘What the f—k is happening?’

Credit: ABC/Craig Sjodin

Engagement Was a No-Brainer

Katie knew from the start that her journey would only end one way: with an engagement. "I just know where I'm at in life, and it really shows how serious I am about falling in love and finding my person," she told Us exclusively before her season premiered. "And if the thought of being engaged scares you, then you're not ready to be with me."

Credit: Courtesy of Katie Thurston/Instagram

Roses or Rejection?

In June 2021, the Washington native shared a TikTok "spoiler" with "leaked footage" from her final rose ceremony. The clip, filmed on a Nest camera, featured a little boy named Woods asking his neighbor to marry him — and her immediate rejection. When he walked away defeated, his love interest shouted, "Woods ... Woods! Sorry!"

Credit: ABC/Craig Sjodin

She's 'Happy'

While recent seasons of the ABC dating franchise have ended in heartbreak, the former bank marketing manager is pleased with her choices. "You know, I've come to learn that everything happens for a reason," she told Us in June 2021. "And that being said, I am happy, yes."

Credit: Courtesy of Katie Thurston/Instagram

Wedding Ready

In May 2021, the reality star showed off an all-white ensemble while visiting La Jolla, California. "Something borrowed 😎. Something blue. 💙," she wrote via Instagram, referencing the wedding tradition. 

Credit: Courtesy of Katie Thurston/Instagram

Where's the Ring?

Katie played coy about her status after filming wrapped in April 2021. When she returned to social media, she showed off her ringless finger as she gazed up at the sky, joking, "My family searching for a ring." She added the song "All Downhill From Here" by New Found Glory to the clip, specifically the lyrics, "You're hiding something / It's burning through your eyes."