New ‘Bachelorette’ Emily Maynard Announced on ‘GMA’
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Start filling out your applications, boys! Emily Maynard, a fan favorite from Brad Womack’s season of “The Bachelor,” will be the next “Bachelorette,” ABC officially announced today on “Good Morning America.”
“I think she’s America’s sweetheart and I think it will be a home run,” host Chris Harrison said on “GMA.”
Maynard, a single mom from Charlotte, N.C. who ended her tumultuous relationship with Womack, 38, last summer, has signed on to star in the eighth installment of the hit reality show, which will premiere this spring. She will be the first single mom to star in the series.
“Emily feels incredibly grateful to have found her first love when she was very young, and despite not having dated a lot, knows what it’s like to be truly in love,” ABC said in a press release today. “In the past seven years, she has been looking for someone with the same spark she has for life, and she believes that she will find her soul mate on ‘The Bachelorette.’”
Twenty-five-year-old Marynard quickly won over Womack and fans of the show with her southern charm and emotional back story. Maynard lost her fiancé NASCAR driver Ricky Hendrick in a 2004 plane crash, just before she learned that she was pregnant. Their daughter Ricki, now 6, was born in October 2005 and is the “apple of Emily’s eye.”
On the show, Womack wooed Maynard and then proposed to her in true “Bachelor” style, in the fairytale setting of a South African vineyard. Off camera, their romance quickly unraveled, plagued by distance and jealously according to tabloid reports.
“The day that Brad proposed was one of the happiest days of my life,” she told “Bachelor” host Chris Harrison in a July 2011 interview on the breakup. “Not a day will go by that I won’t regret how things turned out.”
Soon a new crop of 25 men will contend for the blonde beauty’s heart, and the competition could be cutthroat, given the buzz surrounding Maynard. (Remember that season 7 contestant Bentley Williams admitted that he’d been disappointed to learn that Ashley Hebert was “The Bachelotte” instead of Maynard, so we know interest is high).
Maynard is “looking for someone who makes her laugh, doesn’t take himself too seriously and can be her best friend,” ABC said in the press release. “Emily is hoping that the third time is the charm.”
What do you think of the Maynard as the next Bachelorette? Will she be better than the last Bachelorette Ashley Hebert? As popular as Ali Fedotowsky? As lucky in love as Trista Sutter?
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Actually, Ricky and Emily’s daughter was born on June 29th. You may want to correct this error seeing as how you wrote it makes it sound impossible for Ricky to be the father (since you reported that Ricky died in 2004 yet their daughter wasn’t born until October of the following year).
Posted by: Sarah | January 24, 2012, 10:27 pm 10:27 pm
She’s a relaity ho just like the rest of them. Why does ABC The Bachelor & Bachelorette always put use the rejects?
Posted by: SPam | January 25, 2012, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm
I think she will be great I hope she finds her prince charming for the best future possible – give her a fighting chance by showing her the guys interviews during the process so she can see the big picture of who they are not just what they show her with their best face on – Best wishes for Emily, Ricki and may the best man win…
Posted by: Kim | January 25, 2012, 7:49 pm 7:49 pm
She just another Cougar I doubt she will find a bachelor
Posted by: SHIRLEY | January 25, 2012, 11:19 pm 11:19 pm
ABC is messing everything up! The next bachelorette is suppose to be someone from Ben’s season!
Posted by: Tina | January 26, 2012, 11:49 am 11:49 am
Emily is a fraud. She never worked for the children’s hospital in Charlotte and was never Ricky’s fiancé. The Hendrick’s family covered it up to look that way! Terrible choice ABC. You should have picked the crazy blogging NYer from this season with Ben! Lol.
Posted by: Missy | January 30, 2012, 10:31 am 10:31 am
I think Emily played Brad Womack. She was never interested in him.
She just liked all of the attention!
He was just a sucker for her looks!
Posted by: tkkk | January 30, 2012, 1:32 pm 1:32 pm
What a hypocrite! She was the first to be against making out with multiples!!! That was I e of the reasons she left Brad in the first place because she couldn’t handle the make out sessions he had with the other ladies! Not to mention she was sooo concerned about her daugther… Really! Can anyone explain how any of her “explainations” about the issues she had with Brad can actually be 100% truthful? She has the tears of a professional actress! What about her innocent daughter…the one that was her world? How is she going to react when she sees her mother making out with a few dozen men? I am terribly disappointed in this lady and mother! It goes to show you that you can’t judge a book by its cover!!!
Posted by: Anna | January 30, 2012, 8:51 pm 8:51 pm
what a big disapointment! emily has already had her chance! and she also stated that the poparozzi, and being in the camera’s views all the time was just to much for her and her daughter.
i agree with TKKK! and the show needs some NEW ,FRESH faces! Em doesnt deserve this chance again!
Posted by: valeigh | January 30, 2012, 11:46 pm 11:46 pm
em had her chance .. get some new , fresh faces in there !
Posted by: valeigh | January 30, 2012, 11:49 pm 11:49 pm
Well, I’m not watching…..I hope their ratings go way down for this one.
Posted by: kim | January 30, 2012, 11:58 pm 11:58 pm
I agree that they need to get some new people. I don’t like the way they’ve “recycled” people. I also question if the “engagements” are even real. Have any of the bachelor’s or bachelorette’s married who they got engaged to?
Posted by: Maria | January 31, 2012, 12:25 am 12:25 am
I agree with some of the comments stated above. It seems like emily doesn’t know what she wants. She came across like no one was good enough for her and her daughter. She is very gorgeous and nice but abc should have chosen a different person. I just hate to see a whole season go to waste cuz I don’t think she’ll find someone that will last long. I hope I’m wrong
Posted by: Gala | January 31, 2012, 12:26 am 12:26 am
What a joke!!! I am officially done with this show.
Posted by: Sarah | January 31, 2012, 12:35 am 12:35 am
Wait a minute!!! She was from Brad’s season and was even chosen by Brad. And, I am very sorry she lost Ricky Hendricks in the plane crash and has had to raise her daughter on her own, but its not a reason for her to be the next batchelorette. I was left to raise my three yr old son by myself after his father was murdered and nobody worried about me being a single mom and wanted to put me on any dating shows. But then again, I am not a tall, skinny blonde girl either!!!! They should do a dating show for us larger sized girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Judy | January 31, 2012, 2:07 am 2:07 am
emily is a has been, i agree with the commenters about fresh blood, emily is not it…fire her before it starts or you will have a loser seaqson…
Posted by: KIMO ROSEN | January 31, 2012, 2:19 am 2:19 am
I agree with all of the above, she was so unsure and protective of her dughter(ha) Is this the season he lets loose? right fresh meat would be goo and not rejects that are phoney.
Dont think I can watch this batch of women on the bachelor.much more is Courtney kin to vienna? fruit cakes.
so sad culd be very entertaining
Posted by: muffin | January 31, 2012, 2:30 am 2:30 am
kudos to ABC… They got it right this time. Emily is America’s Sweetheart! She is the total package. I will be watching every episode and I know that Emily will find her prince charming this time.
Posted by: Reba | January 31, 2012, 3:35 am 3:35 am
I am thrilled they will have Emily on the next show. I actually love that they keep making the bachelor/bachelorette someone from a previous show. You are already emotionally invested in this person, seeing them develop a relationship that does not work, you want to see them have a happy ending. I will admit, I was very excited when Ben was chosen to be the bachelor, however, he has been quite a disappointment.
Posted by: sara | January 31, 2012, 9:22 am 9:22 am
Good God, where is the self respect here ? Tell me, are these men and women on the show to find a husband or wife, or is it for the fame and glamour for a few weeks. How pathetic can one get. You mean they can’t find someone on their own……I watch the show and I shake my head throughout.
The money spent, the drinking done…..unreal. Are they ever sober? You need to clean up the show a little and make it respectful again like the first few seasons. People will still watch.
Posted by: Erta Smith | January 31, 2012, 9:35 am 9:35 am
I think it should be someone other then Emily she had her chance and she blew it she was picked it should be someone who has tried to find love on the show like Ashley and didn’t. I agree I don’t think I will watch this season if it is going to be her I want to see someone who is outgoing and wants to have fun, she is way to invested in her past its time to move on!
Posted by: Mandy | January 31, 2012, 12:30 pm 12:30 pm
She’s annoying and can’t make up her mind about anything. Everyone has to cater to her. Whoever she picks, it aint gonna last or she’ll just turn him down at the alter. She’s got issues.
Posted by: Helen | January 31, 2012, 2:03 pm 2:03 pm
Actually I think they should allow Jake to be the next bachelor and put ALL the crazy, lunatic women who were cast off on previous shows as his choices……Now that’s a show I would watch….LOL
Posted by: Melody | January 31, 2012, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm
Emily does not deserve to be the next bachelorette. She totally screwed over the other girls with her blah blah woe is me back story and her blonde “cuteness”. Brad should’ve chose one of the brunettes! The next bachelorette SHOULD be one of the chicks from this season of bachelor.
Does anyone else think that Courtney looks like Alley Sheedy but in her creepy guest appearance on Psych way?
Posted by: RayRay | February 1, 2012, 12:12 am 12:12 am
It looks like majority here do not want Emily as the next bachelorette. Doesn’t surprise me! Give someone else a chance!! I won’t be watching her season.
Posted by: LinLin | February 1, 2012, 2:01 am 2:01 am
What a joke!!! I am also done with Emily’s show.She’s annoying and can’t make up her mind about anything. Everyone has to cater to her. Whoever she picks, it aint gonna last or she’ll just turn him down at the alter.
Emily does not deserve to be the next bachelorette. She totally screwed, fake and sneeky.
I agree with TKKK! and ANNA. The show needs some NEW ,FRESH faces
Posted by: Christensen | February 1, 2012, 8:53 am 8:53 am
I like Emily as a person, but not as the next bachelorette. She clearly had no room in her life for a man,and I think she wanted it to fail with Brad. Her actions certainly say so. So why come on the show now? No one will be good enough, and she’s leaving her daughter behind AGAIN. Eventually, she will have to introduce her daughter to MORE men on the hometown dates, and I am a firm believer in not introducing your child to multiple men that you date. It’s just confusing. I won’t be watching The Bachelorette to see her say “Umm” ten too many times and not pick anyone in the end, because they’re not good enough for her. Too bad The Bachelor will be ending soon.
Posted by: Toni | February 1, 2012, 1:40 pm 1:40 pm
I love it!!! It will make for some good TV. All these girls are just jealous bc she has looks and she is a sweetheart! Like you all know her personally! Tabloids can make up anything, remeber that!
Posted by: Amanda | February 3, 2012, 6:09 pm 6:09 pm
Just give her a 25-sided coin….
Posted by: Janine | February 3, 2012, 6:33 pm 6:33 pm
Why is it that all if the men and women have to be super models on this show? Can’t you have some average looking people? The society is all about looks and appearance and this show promotes it. Also, why hasnt there ever been an African American bachelor or bachelorette?? The show is a joke!
Posted by: Courtney | February 4, 2012, 1:52 pm 1:52 pm
I am so excited for this season! Emily is beautiful and deserves to find love. I think that anyone given this opportunity couldn’t turn it down. I dont understand why people are judging her when they have no idea who she is. Good luck to Emily! I will be watching every episode :)
Posted by: Natalie | February 7, 2012, 5:09 pm 5:09 pm
Oh my GOD! are there any other faces aside from this BIG TEETH LADY! GEEZ! SHE IS VERY ANNOYING AT THE SHOW! SHE HIDES HER SMILE BECAUSE OF HER BIG TEETH! HOW CAN SHE SURVIVE ALL THE CAMERA AROUND HER SHOWING HER FAKE TEETH???
Posted by: Apple | February 8, 2012, 11:02 am 11:02 am
In Brad’s Season I was a fan of Emily, but when she was invited with Brad after the proposal she had a different personality. I think she broke Brad’s heart. When she was interviewed by Chris after she broke up with Brad, she talked about how she couldn’t explain to her daughter what the bachelor is, and the paparazzi following her everywhere. I think she is doing the Bachelorette again for attention, i don’t think she is such a strict MOM that she pretends to be. I agree with the previous comments how is she going to tell her daughter dating dozen of men. Even if she finds her “prince” it will not last!!!
Posted by: Ms.Aldush | February 9, 2012, 10:39 pm 10:39 pm
I love Emily!!!! Wish her relationship with Brad would of worked. I’m looking forward to seeing her find love. Best of luck to you, and hope you find a man who is true, genuine, and a great role model to your daughter. You deserve happiness. May God bless you through your filming.
Posted by: Kimberly | February 12, 2012, 4:02 pm 4:02 pm
After the Courtney disaster and now this? When are they going to learn and get real contestants that want to find real relationships. I dont buy her wanting a husband. I have been a single mom, its not a reason to go on public tv, for love. What about this kid, when is she more important. Some things can just wait unless the kid isnt a priority, and fame is. Courtney, Emily, Vienna, all cut from the same cloth. Lets get some new blood in here.
Posted by: Meadow | February 13, 2012, 8:46 pm 8:46 pm
Oh please! I have had it up to here with Emily! What kind of mother would leave her daughter so she could go on a reality show?
It’s all for publicity. I agree that the show is recycling former guests. How about new people? Emily is old news. She is a fake and hypocrite. I for one will not watch.
Posted by: Cathy | February 14, 2012, 1:54 am 1:54 am
Emily from the current Bachelor should be the next Bachelorette!!! This is a HORRIBLE choice!
Posted by: robin00777 | February 14, 2012, 4:30 pm 4:30 pm
I wondered if I was the only one thinking what a joke. Emily is boring, no personality. She can’t carry a show. We will all be yawning big time!
Posted by: sandy | February 18, 2012, 11:22 am 11:22 am
I agree with who ever said this but she had such a problem with Brad kissing all the other women
so how will she handle this. Also I really felt like Gina was going to be the next bachelorette
This season with Ben is so terrible, he hasn’t had one good date and the spoliers say he picks
Courtney which just makes the show a terrible BUST
Posted by: Katie | February 18, 2012, 7:42 pm 7:42 pm
typical female comments!!!!!! It’s sad how women can never be happy for other women.
I can’t wait to watch the next season, life is ever changing and Emily can do whatever she wants!!!! After all it is HER life!!!! This is huge, especially for a single mom!!! This season will really change attitudes towards single mom’s!!! Thank you ABC for taking this chance for the rest of us.
Yaay Emily.
Posted by: Erica | February 20, 2012, 10:18 pm 10:18 pm
I really wanted to see Lindzi as the bachelorette. She rocked! I am not a huge fan of giving a second run to Emily.
Posted by: Holly | February 21, 2012, 8:09 pm 8:09 pm
I look forward to watching the 2012 bachelorette. I think Emily will make the show it’s best and highest rating from beginning till the finally!!! Just make sure ABC choose the best of the best 25 bachelor ever!
Posted by: mele | February 21, 2012, 10:57 pm 10:57 pm
Big mistake. This girl “won”, was clearly aloof, cagey and cold during the entire show she was in, using her child as an excuse, not wanting to move or whatever and couldn’t make it work because she never really wanted to and you are bringing her back????? On the long term fans will not buy into this, you are weakening your shows quality and credibility by making these decisions. Reality shows are just becoming a type of exaggerated acting soap and losing their integrity. She is clearly only after fame and stardom of some kind yet you are presenting this as though she has a justifiable reason to be brought back. She won and messed it up and doesn’t deserve to be back…move on. I know for you its all about ratings but this will backfire.
Posted by: fred | February 22, 2012, 9:47 am 9:47 am
Forgot to add….that I don’t know anyone that will be interested in watching her. An attractive but opportunistic woman bathed in self sympathy, deception and self serving ideals. Not interesting.
Posted by: Fred | February 22, 2012, 11:05 am 11:05 am
I am not in favor of ABC’s choice. I too, fell for Emily and thought that she was so genuine. She repeatedly told the tabloids that she did not want to be the Bachelorette. I wonder what changed or how much more money she was offered. She should focus on her daughter instead of becoming a star.
Posted by: Tonie | February 23, 2012, 3:49 pm 3:49 pm
She does not deserve to be there, she has already been on before, won, had no intention of making it work and has been playing with everyone along the way. Not sincere or genuine using her daughter and every other reason, only to gain attention to herself.
Posted by: Fred | February 24, 2012, 10:21 am 10:21 am
Emily? Really?! BORING. What a bummer. The girls from Ben’s season are really down to earth and normal. I was looking forward to watching a season on one of them! Let’s be real, we all have Emily’s sob story memorized after hearing it about 35…THOUSAND times on Brad’s season. She is not interesting enough to make it worth watching!!
Posted by: Alyssa | February 24, 2012, 3:24 pm 3:24 pm
Totally agree !!!!!!!!
Posted by: Fred | February 24, 2012, 3:43 pm 3:43 pm
So glad to finally see that ppl have figured Emily out. I tried to tell everyone on the blogs during the Bachelor when she was a contestant. She has lied so much it’s crazy! My friend was engaged to Ricky Hendrick, so to say they were childhood sweethearts was a joke. Maybe in her heart but not his. They just reconnected when about the time my friend and Ricky “POSTPONED” the wedding. That was Ricky’s exact words, Postpone! She got pregnant THEN for media’s sake, said they were “engaged”……what a joke!! Anyway, Emily had her chance with Brad Womack, so why the heck let her be the next Bachelorette??? If anyone has negative comments to make concerning my friend, Please go back to when the Bachelor Brad was airing and find a copy of “US” magazine….You can read the truth!
Posted by: Amy | February 27, 2012, 11:25 am 11:25 am
Please. She is in it for the fame. I wouldn’t be surprised if they had a race car driver on it. Emily go to Dancing with the Stars at least we will be able to watch a HO spread her legs on a family show.
Posted by: Mindy | February 28, 2012, 10:37 am 10:37 am
I feel like ABC needs to stop picking people who failed from previous seasons. Yes, its sad that they didn’t find someone to spend their life with but I am so tired of seeing someone that I already know stuff about and who already had their chance in front of America to find someone. She already had her chance, I think she does deserve another, but not on TV. I want to see someone that I have never ever had the chance of watching rather than recycling the same old people.
Posted by: Elise | February 28, 2012, 7:20 pm 7:20 pm
Yes I am a guy and I have actually enjoyed watching The Bachelor with Ben and the girls this season. Rather amazed myself but he is a cool guy and really open and transparent and frankly TV is really missing some goof programming these days so I started to watch and like the program. I also watched parts of previous programs, including the Emily ones which my wife was watching, so I know the history.
BUT now to make her seem more sociable / friendly or sincere they are surrounding her with some really friendly previous bachelorettes who are exuding Emily’s justification to be “happy” and make her appear to be a better person – come on ABC do you think your viewers are that naive – you cannot change a person like this. She doesn’t even look friendly – or sincere. No one will go along with this and now leaving her daughter for some quest for more fame or recognition …oh and leaving her daughter again….! Interesting comments from Amy about her previous engagement or supposed engagement to Rick above sounds like a real pattern here and is really evident in her behaviour. ABC – get someone else! She is not real and not interesting at all and does not deserve to be back.
Posted by: Fred | March 1, 2012, 8:19 am 8:19 am
Dear God,
Come on ABC. Really. I cannot believe that not a single person in marketing for your company doesn’t know at least ten people that would be more interesting to put on this show in this position. And it just totally blows my mind that Emily of all people would want to put herself in this arena – AGAIN. With a daughter to once again confuse. ABC, I quit. I have been a faithful watcher of these BS “reality” series (oh, give me a break, they are so scripted it’s hysterical after you’ve watched more than one season it’s obvious) but I give up. This Ben Flajnik season has curdled any interest in watching this series again. What an idiot he is! So cock directed he can’t listen to any negative communication about the woman who wants to seduce him on TV. I sure hope that the next “innovation” that ABC decides to inject into the series is to let the poor sap that’s the lead see all the background that the watchers do real time so that they can see what they are getting into and what real chances they have among the more worthy candidates. Such an artificial, plastic situation to be dealing with. In a normal dating relationship, eventually your friends see what’s going on and you can consult with them or they will force you to confront things if they really care about you. This is such a fantasy, but what a sour, scalded tongue I have after this current season. I can’t watch this anymore.
Posted by: Barney's Mom | March 5, 2012, 1:33 pm 1:33 pm
No way will I watch the next bachelorette with Emily. BORING! ABC just lost another follower.
Posted by: JRB | March 6, 2012, 7:19 pm 7:19 pm
Emily had issues & insecurities with Brad being with other woman while she was on the Bachelor. Now she is in the same position as Brad, what is she saying to justify herself???
Posted by: Janet | March 13, 2012, 12:26 am 12:26 am
Emily is an amazing, sweet and genuine person who is just trying to find love and happiness She’s looking for a partner in life and a good dad and role model for her little girl. She will be a great bachelorette and I hope she finds all of the love and happiness that she deserves.
Posted by: danielle | March 27, 2012, 9:16 pm 9:16 pm
It is absolutely ridiculous Emily is the new bachelorette. She was picked, and had her chance. Theres no reason she should be given this season. Get someone new!
Posted by: LINDSEY | April 27, 2012, 8:25 pm 8:25 pm
She is doing it for the money to support her daughter, become a reality”star” and will dump the guy like she did Brad by the end of 2012. It’s all about the money. Won’t be watching.
Posted by: Judy | May 9, 2012, 12:07 am 12:07 am
They still will not cast a Black, Asian, or Latino as the Bachelor or Bachelorette. This show is very racist. The producers are afraid that if they cast a minority as the Bachelor they will lose their white audience. The show is getting sued by two Black men who tried out for the main role of the Bachelor and were discriminated against. The producer CLAIMED that Minorities don’t try out for the show. I think that is a lie. Why is it that Black people try out for every other reality show but not the Bachelor?
Posted by: Candy | May 13, 2012, 12:58 pm 12:58 pm
Sadly, I have lost all respect I had left for Emily, I thought she had values and morals and was a good example for her daughter. Instead she will now disrespect herself on television by carrying on with several men in what can be deemed an inappropriate manner, the very same manner which disgusted her when she saw what Brad did while with her.
Posted by: Rob | May 13, 2012, 2:04 pm 2:04 pm
really, the show needs to find someone NEW for the show, not a past reject….I cannot stand the show any more…
Posted by: Deanna | May 13, 2012, 5:04 pm 5:04 pm
I cant believe they chose her. She isnt one Ill be watching this year. I cant believe they keep reusing women from the show, everyone had there chance and she seemed to have many issues. And still living in the past and seems more to expect more than way too much. Its her way or the highway. Besides the fact its turneed more into a jerry springer style show, picking her instead of someone who is more deserving just proves the show is going downhill. I watch every year. This year I wont. No kudos to you ABC or to her. Lets get it back to what it should be, was.
ugh
Posted by: grace | May 13, 2012, 5:42 pm 5:42 pm
She used to be pretty, but why did she get fake teeth. she can’t even talk or smile. She is gross.
Posted by: Amber | May 14, 2012, 10:09 pm 10:09 pm
OMG I just “watched” the first episode. Boring. Where are the real people. You know, I like that season with the “average” guys. Why are all the ppl tall, thin, model types?? I am sorry, but I can’t feel bad for ppl who are good looking and have defective personalities. They can get a date. They do not need this show.
Posted by: Tracy | May 15, 2012, 1:39 am 1:39 am