Who Is Karl Smith? 5 Things to Know About ‘The Bachelorette’ Contestant Accused of Coming For Followers

Credit: ABC/Craig Sjodin

Who Is Karl Smith? 5 Things to Know About ‘The Bachelorette’ Contestant Accused of Coming For Followers

Here for the right reasons? As season 17 of The Bachelorette takes off — Karl Smith is one contestant who seemingly has different plans when it comes to winning Katie Thurston's heart. “I didn’t come here for the bromance. I came here for followers,” Smith, 33, appears in a new trailer for the dating show. He shared the clip via Instagram in May. After s social media user commented, "No you didn’t just say that lol," on Karl's repost, the Florida native replied with several laughing emojis. While Karl's motivations for joining the show have already been questioned, according to his ABC bio, he is "a charismatic and confident guy who is here to find his forever love." The motivational speaker "loves to have a good time, and more specifically, make it a good time for everyone around him." [jwplayer xe0uIlLo-l3ahXupL] When it comes to love, Karl has been in long-term relationships, but has had problems committing because "his professional goals have outweighed his personal ones." Karl, who "is looking for someone with whom he has off-the-charts chemistry," has previously teased that his time on the show will include some drama. During a promotional video for season 17 of The Bachelorette, Karl was asked what his favorite karaoke song was, and his response offered a glimpse at his intentions. "What is my go to karaoke song? 🤔 Drizzy Drake: Nonstop. Bc i don’t stop and neither will my love, support, and affection for Princess Katie 👸 if she chooses me as her Prince Charming," he captioned the clip via Instagram in May. As for the 30-year-old Bachelorette's plans for this current season, she opened up to Us Weekly about prioritizing commitment when it came to finding that special someone. “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,” Katie exclusively told Us ahead of the show's premiere earlier this month. “And if the thought of being engaged scares you, then you're not ready to be with me.” The Bachelorette airs on ABC Mondays at 8 p.m. ET. Scroll down to learn more about Karl S.: [podcast_block]

Credit: ABC/Craig Sjodin

Who Is Karl Smith? 5 Things to Know About ‘The Bachelorette’ Contestant Accused of Coming For Followers

Here for the right reasons? As season 17 of The Bachelorette takes off — Karl Smith is one contestant who seemingly has different plans when it comes to winning Katie Thurston's heart. “I didn’t come here for the bromance. I came here for followers,” Smith, 33, appears in a new trailer for the dating show. He shared the clip via Instagram in May. After s social media user commented, "No you didn’t just say that lol," on Karl's repost, the Florida native replied with several laughing emojis. While Karl's motivations for joining the show have already been questioned, according to his ABC bio, he is "a charismatic and confident guy who is here to find his forever love." The motivational speaker "loves to have a good time, and more specifically, make it a good time for everyone around him." [jwplayer xe0uIlLo-l3ahXupL] When it comes to love, Karl has been in long-term relationships, but has had problems committing because "his professional goals have outweighed his personal ones." Karl, who "is looking for someone with whom he has off-the-charts chemistry," has previously teased that his time on the show will include some drama. During a promotional video for season 17 of The Bachelorette, Karl was asked what his favorite karaoke song was, and his response offered a glimpse at his intentions. "What is my go to karaoke song? 🤔 Drizzy Drake: Nonstop. Bc i don’t stop and neither will my love, support, and affection for Princess Katie 👸 if she chooses me as her Prince Charming," he captioned the clip via Instagram in May. As for the 30-year-old Bachelorette's plans for this current season, she opened up to Us Weekly about prioritizing commitment when it came to finding that special someone. “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,” Katie exclusively told Us ahead of the show's premiere earlier this month. “And if the thought of being engaged scares you, then you're not ready to be with me.” The Bachelorette airs on ABC Mondays at 8 p.m. ET. Scroll down to learn more about Karl S.: [podcast_block]

Credit: ABC/Craig Sjodin

1. He Was Originally Meant to Be in Clare Crawley's Season of The Bachelorette

It was previously confirmed that Karl was meant to appear as a contestant during season 16, but was cut from the final list of contestants when the show started filming months after it was delayed amid the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. 

Credit: Courtesy Karl Smith/Instagram

2. He is All About Inspiring Others

The motivational speaker uses his social media primarily for spreading insight about finding success.

"Find something that matters more than money. Something that matters more than fame. In order to be successful you’ll have to find something that drives you to build into the next level version of yourself," the founder of the coaching company Next Level Success wrote via Instagram in May 2021.

He added: "Put in the work. Put in the time. Pay the price needed to become the ultimate champion."

Credit: Courtesy Karl Smith/Instagram

3. He Has Plans To Make Some Big Steps in His Personal Life

While celebrating his close friend's marriage and upcoming baby, Karl hinted that he might be ready to make those big steps too.

"Wish you both even more happiness than you’ve experienced this far, and an everlasting love that will shine bright in your new baby princess. ... Enjoy this new chapter. I know it’ll be full of surprises. 🙌🎊 P.S. @mike_raff, keep a journal and send me the cliff notes. May need that soon. Thanks in advance. 😂," he joked in an Instagram caption in February 2021.

Karl's ABC bio hinted that he is "ready to make finding his wife the priority."

Credit: Courtesy Karl Smith/Instagram

4. He Loves His Family

"Happy to be back and spending time with the #fam," he captioned a compilation of photos of him and his godson via Instagram in August 2020.

Credit: Courtesy Karl Smith/Instagram

5. He Is a Fan of Astrology

Karl has used the hashtag "#saglife" in several of his posts on social media to show off his Sagittarius pride.

With Katie being a Capricorn, it is all up to the stars to align now.