Dear Rachel,
From the moment Jimmy Kimmel announced that you were going to be the next Bachelorette, I was beyond excited! I was happy that ABC had finally selected a woman of color to play a lead role within the predominantly Caucasian franchise. I knew you were the perfect choice, because you had all the qualities of a bachelorette. From what I have observed, you are such a strong, smart, independent woman who knows what she wants, and goes after it. I think I can speak on behalf of America and say that ABC could not have picked a better person for this spot.
Watching your season was nothing short of hysterical, entertaining, slightly cringeworthy (in certain instances), and occasionally awkward. This season brought the deep topics of race and sexism to light, and while that was tough and uncomfortable to witness at times, I think it was something that needed to be discussed and put out in the open. Thank you for helping us to slowly bridge the gap by making these issues more prevalent in areas where they were once swept under the rug. You handled every obstacle with grace; you represented yourself and your family very well, and I enjoyed watching your journey unfold on national T.V. Thank you for being such an awesome role model, and an inspiration to women everywhere.
I know it was hard for you to be the first African-American Bachelorette because you had so much pressure from both sides, but despite it all, you didn’t let it get to your head. You just did your own thing, and you choose a man whom you want to spend the rest of your life with. While I was not too thrilled about your choice, I wish you and Bryan nothing but the best of happiness, love, and success, now, and in the years to come.
Over the course of your quest for love, I admired the fact that you did not sway away from your goal of not only finding ‘the one’, but wanting to be proposed to at the end. I think we can all learn from you in that when we want something, we should not give up until we get it, no matter how long or tedious the trek is, because the reward is always sweet at the end.
I am sad that your season has ended, but I will never forget this season of the Bachelorette for years to come! There will never be another Bachelorette like you, and so I want to thank you for gracing us with your presence for two seasons of this show. Bachelor Nation will sincerely miss you, but we look forward to witnessing your love story with Bryan continue to unfold.
Congrats, and all the best!
Samantha Smart
