"Good Morning America" revealed Monday that Clare Crawley will be the new "Bachelorette" for the show’s 16th season!
You may remember Crawley, 38, from Juan Pablo Galavis’ season 18 of "The Bachelor." She was first introduced to "Bachelor Nation" when she arrived at the mansion with a fake baby bump.
Crawley revealed she found out she would be the next "Bachelorette" this past weekend and said it was "so unexpected." She also opened up on what she is looking for in a potential partner.
"The most important thing is I want a man that will take off his armor," she said during her "GMA" appearance. "I want a man who is strong, but is willing to take off the body armor, open himself up and be vulnerable, and I think that is some serious strength right there."
"It's all what's on the inside for me," she added. "If you line up the guys that I have dated in the past, there's no one thing I'm looking for physically. It's more, if they go out of their way for me, and they make me feel special because this is about me now and I'm ready for it."
Crawley believes being 38 will work to her advantage during her season.
"A lot of people put it out there as this negative thing, but for me, it just is more years under my belt, more learning and knowing what I want, what I don't want and what I won't settle for," she said on her age.
She said age is also not an issue for her when looking at potential love matches. "I have been known to date younger guys, so that's not a problem for me," she said with a laugh. "The thing is I'm wondering if they're ready for me, for my age. I feel like that would be more of an issue, than me with them, because I feel so much younger at heart than my actual age."
"I'm proud of my age, but I just feel younger and I feel like that to me is what's important," she added.
During her appearance in season 18, Crawley and Galavis had undeniable chemistry right off the bat, but it ultimately didn’t work out in the end between the two.
Many may recall moments during the season of Galavis treating Crawley horribly and leaving her to constantly question her self-worth, including a very awkward conversation where Galavis shamed her for sharing a steamy moment with him in the ocean on television.
MORE: 'Bachelor' Contestant Clare: 'I Take Pride' in What I Do in Tonight's EpisodeBy the finale, Crawley realized that the man standing in front of her was a reflection of relationships past and ultimately gave Galavis a piece of her mind. Women all across America cheered when she famously stood up to Galavis in the final episode.
"A lot of people have seen that side of me that stood up to Juan Pablo and is like, 'Don't mess with me,' and I am that strong woman still," she shared on "GMA." "But what even more so is added to that is, like I said, taking off that armor and actually saying, I'm strong enough to let somebody in, to be vulnerable and open up and share that with them."
Crawley gave love another chance on Season 1 and 2 of "Bachelor in Paradise" and she also returned for "Bachelor Winter Games." There, she met Benoit, the charming romantic with the French accent from "The Bachelorette" Canada.
Benoit ended up proposing to Crawley during the "Winter Games" finale, but they both realized that marriage wouldn’t work out.
When she’s not looking for love, the California native from Sacramento works as a hairstylist and enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Elby and Honey, doing yoga and hiking with friends. She also is one of six sisters and expects "a lot of feedback" from them during her time as the "Bachelorette."
"I'm their little baby sister. There's always the opinions," she shared. "I love it."
MORE: 'Bachelor' Preview: Clare Tells Juan Pablo's Mom He Made Her Cry
When asked if she has thick skin and is ready for the drama that comes with starring on the show, Crawley said, "I'm not the one you guys should be worried about. Let me tell you that. It's them."
This would be the fifth time that Crawley looks for love on a "Bachelor" show, but she’s very positive about what the season will hold. She’s also confident about what she wants in a partner.
Will Crawley find true love? Well, we'll just have to wait and in the meantime see if Peter Weber finds the woman of his dreams as he wraps up his season of "The Bachelor."
Crawley says she isn't sure who he'll end up with but hopes he chooses, "somebody who he genuinely loves and has strong feelings for, and that is up to him."
Catch up with all of the women for "The Bachelor" this season on "The Women Tell All" tonight at 8/7 central.
MORE: 'Bachelor' Star Clare Slams Juan Pablo: 'You Shouldn't Make a Woman Cry'
