Season 20 of ABC's "The Bachelorette" kicked off Monday with 27-year-old family therapist Charity Lawson ready to find her soulmate.
The audience was first introduced to the star on Zach Shallcross' season of "The Bachelor," where her combination of confidence, compassion and charisma immediately won over Bachelor Nation.
MORE: Meet the 25 men to compete for Charity Lawson's heart on 'The Bachelorette'"We're just being Charity, and that's all that I can be." 👏👏👏 @CharityLaws_ #TheBachelorette pic.twitter.com/yBSAE4L5mt
— The Bachelorette (@BacheloretteABC) June 27, 2023
Lawson's first surprise of the season came when her brother Nehemiah unexpectedly showed up, seemingly to lend his support -- but it turns out he had an ulterior motive.
Unbeknownst to both Charity and her suitors, Nehemiah, disguised in a fake mustache, hat and wig, pretended to be a bartender and chatted up the men in an effort to spot "a bad apple or two."
We must protect Nehemiah at all costs 🥹 #TheBachelorette pic.twitter.com/b8EGrIXyLs
— The Bachelorette (@BacheloretteABC) June 27, 2023
Most of the men passed muster, but Brayden, a 24-year-old travel nurse from San Diego, rubbed big brother the wrong way when, after sharing a long kiss with Charity, he displayed what Nehemiah and some of the other men described as overconfidence bordering on arrogance regarding his chances of snagging the first impression rose.
Brayden's cockiness turned to concern when Nehemiah revealed his identity and said that he was going to report his findings to his sister.
During a follow-up conversation with Brayden, he told Charity that he was "giddy" over the kiss, and didn't mean to come off as arrogant. After thinking it over, Charity followed her heart and gave Braydon the first impression rose.
At the rose ceremony, Chris, Joe, Khalid, Nic, Peter and Taylor were sent home.
Here are the men remaining after the first rose ceremony:
