Despite what sounds like a season far different than any other, Clare Crawley is looking on the bright side.
Not only has Chris Harrison teased an "explosive" first few episodes of The Bachelorette season 16, but the reality hit will also look different in that it was filmed at the La Quinta Resort in Palm Springs, Calif., not Villa de la Vina. And though production was delayed by a few months (from March to June) because of the coronavirus pandemic, it sounds like more good than bad came from the shakeup.
Speaking with People, Clare, 39, opened up about having to wait a little longer to meet her suitors. "There were definitely a lot of emotions," she said. "It was stressful. But there were honestly so many pros to it getting shut down."
What were the pros? An updated roster of men she'd absolutely hit it off with.
"Producers were able to recast some of the guys and get some that were more appropriate for what I was looking for," she said. "I wanted a guy who was genuinely there for me. There was a lot of talk about, ‘Oh, I'm the older Bachelorette, are these guys too young?' But it was also about: Am I too old for them? It went both ways. So we were able to hone in on what everybody was looking for."
Reflecting on her experience, she said she was looking for "the ones that wanted to be there after the hoops they had to jump through."
Yes, the early days of production may have been rosy ("It really was magical!" she said of the first night), but the rest of the season is about to blow up. In August, multiple sources confirmed to E! News that Clare will be replaced midseason by Bachelor in Paradise alum Tayshia Adams.
How? Why? During which episode? That's to be determined.
For now, we suggest looking at our own bright side: The Bachelorette premieres in less than a week.
Scroll down to see Clare's updated roster of men.
He is 30 and from Milford, Massachusetts. He's a roofer, loves a turtleneck, and quickly connected with Tayshia.
Ivan Hall, 28, is from Dallas, Texas. He's an aeronautical engineer who's quiet, soft spoken and known as "Sweet Ivan."
Zac Clark is 36 and from Haddonfield, Pennsylvania. He's an addiction specialist with a heart of gold and a very heartfelt story to tell.
Ben Smith, 29, is from Indianapolis, Indiana. He's an army ranger and he's best friends with celebrity chef Antonia Lofaso.
Noah Erb, 25, is a nurse from Tulsa, OK. He joined the show along with Tayshia in week four, and just barely missed the final four.
Bennett Jordan is 37 and from Atlanta. He's a wealth management consultant which is exactly what he looks like his job would be, so good for Bennett! He was eliminated during a two-on-one with Noah, but then he brought himself back with declarations of love. Tayshia let him attend the next rose ceremony, but he did not get a rose.
Riley Christian, 30, is from Long Island City, New York. He's an attorney who takes a while to show off his smile. Tayshia pulled Riley aside to explain that she didn't want to hurt him any more than she had to, but she still hurt us.
Blake Moynes, 29, is from Burlington, Ontario, Canada. He's a wildlife manager and owns a falcon. Tayshia didn't even let him get to dinner on his final date before sending him home.
Demar Jackson, 26, is from San Diego, California and he's a spin cycling instructor.
Ed Waisbrot is 36 and from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He's a healthcare salesman, and Chris says we shouldn't judge a book by its cover.
Spencer Robertson, 30, is a water treatment engineer from La Jolla, CA. He joined the show for Tayshia in week four and got her first impression rose, but did not survive to the end.
Eazy, whose real name is Uzoma Nwachukwu, 29, is from Dallas, Texas. He's a sport marketing agent.
He's a 31-year-old IT account executive and from Walnut Creek, California, and Chris Harrison said he's ready to "fight" for the love of his life.
Joe Park is 36 and from North Woodmere, New York. He's an anesthesiologist who is very sweet and is loved by everybody, but found himself up against some huge obstacles.
Jordan Chapman, 26, is from Southington, Connecticut. He's a software account executive who apparently seems way older than 26.
Kenny Braasch, 39, is from Oaklawn, Illinois. He's a boy band manager (!!!) who apparently likes to take his clothes off a lot and has no tan lines.
Montell Hill is a 30-year-old gym owner from Boston. He joined the show for Tayshia in week four.
Peter Giannikopoulos, 32, is a real estate agent from Massachusetts. He joined the show when Tayshia took over as Bachelorette.
Jay Smith is 39 and from Langhorne, Pennsylvania. He's a fitness director.
Jason Foster is a 31-year-old from Rutland, Vermont. He's a former football player who is a "big lovable teddy bear" with a laugh like Seth Rogen.
Zach is 37 and from St. George, UT. He owns a cleaning service. He was eliminated when things went very wrong on a date with Clare. He grabbed her neck and made her feel uncomfortable, so Chris Harrison stepped in and sent him home on behalf of Clare.
Blake Monar, 31, is from Rockport, Indiana. He's a male grooming specialist and he has incredible hair. Clare sent him home in week two.
Garin Flowers, 34, is from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He's a professor of journalism at USC who's not afraid to bare his soul "and everything else."
This 36-year-old is from Dallas, Texas. He's a super country music manager whose brother is singer Granger Smith. Clare sent him home in week two.
Yosef Aborady is 29 and from Mobile, Alabama. He's a medical device salesman who has a daughter and who isn't afraid of controversy, as he proved when he threw a fit at Clare after the strip dodgeball date. He left in a huff and we do not miss him.
Brandon Goss, 28, is from Cleveland, Ohio. Clare sent him home in week two when he couldn't come up with a reason to like her other than the fact that she's "obviously so beautiful."
AJ, 28, is from Irvine, California. He was out in week one.
Chris Conran, 27, is from St. Louis, Missouri. He's a landscape design salesman and he's a great chef.
Jeremy Higgins is 40 and from Virginia Beach, Virginia. He's a banker with "great perspective." Clare sent him home in week one.
Jordan Manier is a 30-year-old from Deerborn, Michigan. He's a cyber security engineer who is six foot eight! He describes himself as a tall nerd. Clare sent him home week one.
Season 16 of The Bachelorette premieres on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.