Exclusive Interview
Clayton Echard Gives ‘The Bachelor’ Season 30 Casting Status Update
When it comes to The Bachelor‘s upcoming 30th season, we can confirm one franchise alum who will not be handing out the roses — at least, not again.
Leading up to the Season 3 finale of Perfect Match, which featured two Bachelor Nation alums, Swooon sat down with The Bachelor Season 26 star Clayton Echard to discuss his move into the Netflix Reality Universe, his reconnection with fellow franchise lead Rachel Recchia, and, of course, The Bachelor‘s monumental 30th season.
Before anyone jumps to any conclusions, the Perfect Match star made it clear that he is not in the running for the coveted role. When asked if he would consider returning to the franchise, Brad Womack-style, Clayton laughed, admitting, “I mean, no, I couldn’t imagine.”
“To tell you this, a little insider info, I’m not being talked to [for The Bachelor Season 30] at all. Nobody has called me,” he added. “I don’t think anybody wants to have that again.”
On Perfect Match, the former Bachelor reflected on his season in the spotlight. “Most people know me for ruining the love lives of 30 women on The Bachelor,” he said on the show. However, Clayton did admit he would consider taking on the role again. “If they pay me well enough and give me some decision-making on who comes into the house,” he said
While isn’t in the running, Clayton did have some insight into who is. “They’re also looking for somebody that hasn’t been on reality television prior,” he told Swooon. “Actually, I know of a few people who are talking to [The Bachelor casting team].” According to the reality TV star, the people he knows who are currently in the running would all be Bachelor Nation newbies.
“I’m excited. It’ll be interesting to see what happens. I mean, I’m very shocked with a few of them, [that I’ve been] hearing,” he noted. Clayton even went as far as to add that there are a few people on the shortlist who had him thinking, “I can’t believe that this is a possibility.”
While Clayton couldn’t share a teaser for any of the potential Season 30 leads, he revealed, “Right now, it’s still too early to tell. No one’s been chosen. But if somebody is chosen, and it’s somebody I happen to know, it’d be pretty crazy.”
Which reality TV newbie do you think should take on the role of The Bachelor for Season 30? Comment below!
The Bachelor, Season 30, TBA, ABC
