Who Is Clayton Echard?
As "Bachelor in Paradise" Season 7 nears its end, the attention has turned to Michelle Young's upcoming season of "The Bachelorette" set to premiere on October 19. However, ABC has reportedly found the star of "The Bachelor" Season 26 in Clayton Echard, one of her potential suitors. Even though there were rumors that previous contestants like Greg Grippo and Andrew Spencer, both from Season 17 of "The Bachelorette," were in the running (Bachelor Nation fan-favorite Tyler Cameron was also in consideration for the role), Variety has confirmed Clayton will be the show's new leading man.
The news comes after E! News published photos of the Missouri native on the set of what appears to be a promo shoot for the new season, which, based on previous seasons, is expected to arrive sometime in January. At the time, ABC did not comment on the speculation, but multiple sources are sure Clayton is the next star.
According to his Instagram bio, he's a "former freestyle rapper and washed-up athlete now trying his luck in orthopaedic sales." But after digging, we've concluded that Clayton is much, much more than that. Scroll ahead to find out what you need to know about the new Bachelor.
The producers reportedly 'fell in love' with Clayton
For a little while, it seemed like the next "Bachelor" was going to be someone from Katie Thurston's season of "The Bachelorette." After all, she had some amazing suitors and any one of them would have been a good lead. But, insiders told Variety that during Michelle Young's season, "producers fell in love with Echard and he rose to the top of the network's shortlist." Sources added that the network did meet with other potential prospects but ultimately decided that Clayton Echard was their guy, even though they know that choosing him would "pose some complications" since Young's season has yet to air. One source also told Page Six that Clayton "impressed everyone on set and is definitely a big upgrade from any of Katie's guys."
Hey, when you know, you know, and ABC chose not to pass up their opportunity to give this man the gig. As of right now, Clayton's official "Bachelorette" bio isn't available online, but per his LinkedIn profile, he's been working as a sales representative with Stryker Orthopaedics in Columbia, Missouri for three years and is "very excited to continue working in an industry that is both challenging, yet rewarding."
Clayton is a family man who loves the outdoors
Bachelor Nation fans can find Clayton Echard on Instagram under the handle @claytonechard, where they will see lots of photos with his loved ones. Based on the content, he definitely seems like a big family man as he's close to both his parents and brothers, Patrick and Nate.
Clayton also loves the outdoors, likes to work out, and lives a healthy lifestyle. "When I am not spending time in the OR, working on my MBA and/or working out, I enjoy hiking and biking on the nature trails around the Columbia area," he explained in his LinkedIn bio. "I make it my duty to emphasize living a healthy lifestyle, therefore I exercise daily and am in the process of learning to cook healthy meals that also surprisingly have flavor!"
On top of that, Clayton is a former football player who signed with the Seattle Seahawks as a free agent in July 2016. He played four preseason games and referred to that time in his life "a unique experience that I was blessed to be a part of."