Everything Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe Said About Katie Thurston’s ‘Bachelorette’ Journey

Credit: ABC/Craig Sjodin

Everything Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe Said About Katie Thurston’s ‘Bachelorette’ Journey

Seeing roses! Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe had a front row seat to Katie Thurston’s journey as the Bachelorette, stepping in for Chris Harrison for season 17. Us Weekly confirmed in March that the season 11 Bachelorette and season 16 lead were guiding Katie’s season after the longtime host stepped back amid backlash for his comments about season 25 contestant Rachael Kirkconnell, who came under fire for her racially insensitive past. “Their role is more experienced girlfriends to Katie and experienced contestants to the guys,” a source told Us Weekly in April, noting they were “brought in at the last minute” to fill in for Harrison. During an exclusive interview with Us ahead of the June 7 premiere, Katie confirmed she didn’t know Tayshia and Kaitlyn were going to be part of her season until she arrived at the New Mexico resort. “I thought, maybe, there'd be people helping with dates, you know, here and there, but I certainly did not expect to have both of them there with me the entire time,” Katie explained. “And so I think I was just, like, so overwhelmed. you see [me], like, crying of relief and happiness and excitement to have them there to help me.” A second source told Us that Tayshia and Kaitlyn “had to learn how to cohost” after Harrison had the job for nearly two decades. “It’s taken time. They’re lovely to work with and they get along with the crew,” the insider said. “It’s just completely different with them cohosting.” [jwplayer FsrBkR4a-l3ahXupL] Katie, meanwhile, credits the two women for helping her stick out the journey when it got tough, admitting she nearly quit. “I was at my lowest and really wanted to leave,” the former bank marketing manager said. “And if it wasn't for the amazing women who have been Bachelorettes before helping me navigate that, I probably would have. And so, I'm so thankful for all of them.” She added, “They gave me different advice, but, [both pieces of advice] stand out. Kaitlyn said, 'Don't fall in love with one person on the first night, be open.’ And then Tayshia was the one who said, you know, 'Surrender to the process. Trust the journey.’” The Bachelorette airs on ABC Mondays at 8 p.m. ET. Scroll through for everything Tayshia and Kaitlyn have said about Katie’s journey:

Credit: ABC/Craig Sjodin

Everything Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe Said About Katie Thurston’s ‘Bachelorette’ Journey

Seeing roses! Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe had a front row seat to Katie Thurston’s journey as the Bachelorette, stepping in for Chris Harrison for season 17. Us Weekly confirmed in March that the season 11 Bachelorette and season 16 lead were guiding Katie’s season after the longtime host stepped back amid backlash for his comments about season 25 contestant Rachael Kirkconnell, who came under fire for her racially insensitive past. “Their role is more experienced girlfriends to Katie and experienced contestants to the guys,” a source told Us Weekly in April, noting they were “brought in at the last minute” to fill in for Harrison. During an exclusive interview with Us ahead of the June 7 premiere, Katie confirmed she didn’t know Tayshia and Kaitlyn were going to be part of her season until she arrived at the New Mexico resort. “I thought, maybe, there'd be people helping with dates, you know, here and there, but I certainly did not expect to have both of them there with me the entire time,” Katie explained. “And so I think I was just, like, so overwhelmed. you see [me], like, crying of relief and happiness and excitement to have them there to help me.” A second source told Us that Tayshia and Kaitlyn “had to learn how to cohost” after Harrison had the job for nearly two decades. “It’s taken time. They’re lovely to work with and they get along with the crew,” the insider said. “It’s just completely different with them cohosting.” [jwplayer FsrBkR4a-l3ahXupL] Katie, meanwhile, credits the two women for helping her stick out the journey when it got tough, admitting she nearly quit. “I was at my lowest and really wanted to leave,” the former bank marketing manager said. “And if it wasn't for the amazing women who have been Bachelorettes before helping me navigate that, I probably would have. And so, I'm so thankful for all of them.” She added, “They gave me different advice, but, [both pieces of advice] stand out. Kaitlyn said, 'Don't fall in love with one person on the first night, be open.’ And then Tayshia was the one who said, you know, 'Surrender to the process. Trust the journey.’” The Bachelorette airs on ABC Mondays at 8 p.m. ET. Scroll through for everything Tayshia and Kaitlyn have said about Katie’s journey:

Credit: ABC/Craig Sjodin

Most Dramatic Yet?

“It's going to be really fun. Tayshia and I had a really, really fun time being there. We love Katie,” Kaitlyn said on her “Off the Vine” podcast on April 30. “I can say it's the most dramatic season yet! We had a really great time."

Credit: ABC/Craig Sjodin

Start of Something New

“Each week there is something new,” Tayshia told Extra on May 17. “It’s a tough journey in general … It is a really transformative experience as well. You really push yourself and you really have to rely on your own intuition, your own instinct. It can be hard at times to make sure you’re making the right decision.”

Credit: ABC/Craig Sjodin

Support System

"It was the ultimate girl gang, if you will," Tayshia told E! News on May 17. ”Every time [Katie] needed us we were always kind of right around the corner and ready to help her. But it was so great to be able to be there with her because if there's ever been a time for a Bachelorette to have somebody as a mentor behind the scenes, so this was something that was really special for her and I hope that we helped her out."

She added, “There's just a lot of things that you will see night one that will leave you like, 'Did that just happen?'"

Credit: ABC/Kelsey McNeal

Ready to Watch Back

Kaitlyn told Hollywood Life in May that Katie had a “really great group of guys,” noting “I say that, but I could watch it back and go, ‘Oh!’ I wasn’t living there with them. But they all seem like really stand-up gentlemen.”

Credit: ABC/Craig Sjodin

A Season of Firsts

"I feel like there's definitely some things that take place in the season that I don't think have ever happened before," the season 23 alum said on her “Click Bait” podcast in May. "I think it was challenging and hard for her sometimes, rightfully so. Just like everybody. I feel like everybody would have a difficult time … I think she tried her best."

Credit: ABC/Craig Sjodin

Hot, Hot

“Y’all, it is a hot mess express. I was even there, and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, there’s so much drama.’ It looks spicy, if you will,” Tayshia said on “Click Bait” in May. “There were some guys that came straight out of the limo and Kaitlyn and I were freaking out because of the connection we saw. Katie’s men are hot! I mean, they were coming out of the limo, and I was like, ‘Lord, have mercy.’ It’s next level. She is a very lucky girl.”

Credit: ABC/Craig Sjodin

A Different Vibe

“I think people will really enjoy this little — I don't know how to explain it — a refresh of being the support system of having two women there,” Kaitlyn said on the “Bachelor Happy Hour” podcast on June 1. "One thing we kept saying is, 'My gosh, it would have been so nice to have this when we were the Bachelorette, to have women who have been in our shoes before come in and be there.' If it's just a shoulder to cry on, if it's you need advice, if you're feeling alone in it or if you're feeling like you can't do it, which we all feel at a certain point.”