Bachelorette: Gabby & Rachel React To Clayton Bullying Claims

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The Bacheloretteseason 19 leads Gabby Windey and Rachel Recchia have spoken out on their thoughts regarding the multiple jabs at Clayton Echard that contestants made during the premiere. Gabby and Rachel became good friends on The Bachelor season 26, led by Missouri native Clayton. Both Gabby and Rachel made it to the final three, where Clayton told both girls at once that he was in love with and had been intimate with both of them, while also being in love with Susie Evans. When Clayton realized that he truly loved only Susie, he later broke up with Gabby and Rachel in a group as well, which many viewers did not agree with.

When both Gabby and Rachel were announced as the leads of The Bachelorette season 19, Bachelor Nation was elated although they were unsure of how the process would work. During the season premiere, the men had no shortage of clever entrances, ranging from riding in on horseback to performing magic tricks. On the other hand, there were also a number of suitors that felt the need to incorporate Clayton into their first impression, with Alec Garza even having a children's choir sing a song titled «Clayton Sucks.» Both Clayton and Susie were quick to take to social media following the premiere, with Susie posting a TikTok expressing frustration towards all of the men who had Clayton-inspired entrances.

Related: Which Of Gabby & Rachel's Men Go On Bachelor In Paradise Season 8

Gabby and Rachel were also quick to comment on the matter following the premiere, telling Us Weekly that there was no malicious intent behind the jokes and that it was not any type of bullying. Rachel agreed however, that she could have gone without hearing Claytons name as well saying «We would've liked to hear it a little less.