[3] Young was announced as the Bachelorette by Emmanuel Acho during the After the Final Rose special of the 25th season of The Bachelor on March 15, 2021.
[4] The cast includes offensive guard Bryan Witzmann; undrafted tight end Clayton Echard; 2011 Minnesota Mr. Basketball award winner Joe Coleman; and LT Murray IV, grandson of actor Clint Eastwood.
[5][6][7][8] On August 2, 2021, it was reported that former Bachelorettes Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe were set to return as co-hosts for the eighteenth season.
[9] As with the last three American Bachelor Nation editions, which were filmed in a bio-secure bubble due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this season started production on July 30, 2021 at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa at the Coachella Valley in Indian Wells, California.
Some quarantine restrictions were lifted halfway through the season, the cast and crew were allowed to leave the bubble with limited amount of travel from one location to another including Young's home state of Minnesota.
[12] Country music singer Caroline Jones, WNBA players Dearica Hamby and Diamond DeShields, actors Glen Powell and Jay Ellis, spoken word poet Rudy Francisco, professional wrestlers Nikki and Brie Bella, and musician Andy Grammer made guest appearances this season.
Due to the potential COVID-19 resurgence, audiences must present a negative PCR test and wear masks for the duration of the show.
The season begins at Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Indian Wells where Michelle starts her journey.
Memorable entrances include Romeo speaking in French, Clayton presents a yardstick, Will speaks his introductory in Spanish, Chris S. rides on a school bus even wearing a school uniform, Garrett shows up on a cane despite having broken his foot, LT wears a sexy stripper dress, Rick is seen inside the table when Michelle opens a "present" for him, Ryan arrives on an ice cream truck, Rodney shows up wearing his apple top dress, Peter hurls a slab of pizza, Daniel arrives via fire truck even he is a firefighter, Spencer presents with two dribbling balls, and JoMarri rips his suit to show his biceps.
The first group date of the season consists of Brandon J., Romeo, Rick, PJ, Will, Olu, Casey, Daniel, LT, and Peter where they have to take part in a fifth-grade class.
Michelle is the teacher and schoolchildren Mia, Riley and Kennedy mentor the men as they have to compete in four separate subjects (mathematics, chemistry, musical chairs, and spelling).
Jamie gets the first one-on-one date of the season, Michelle picks him up and they travel to Joshua Tree National Park where they rock climb onto the top of the hill to set a picnic.
During the night portion, Jamie tells Michelle about his mother who was 18 when she gave birth to him and that she and his father are never married due to issues with mental health.
The first group date consists of Martin, LT, Olu, Spencer, Clayton, Nayte, Joe, Rick, Will, and Peter where they arrived at Palm Springs Air Museum, Michelle has brought Glen Powell and Jay Ellis, stars of the long-delayed film Top Gun: Maverick to compete in various aviation challenges.
He and Peter for a head-to-head battle once again in the final round and Will was named the winner, with a prize of riding a vintage Porsche 911 car used from the original movie.
In the end, Martin receives the group date rose as he and Michelle enjoy a slow dance with an instrumental version of "Take My Breath Away" being performed by the string trio.
Kaitlyn gets one-on-one with Michelle to tell what had happened on her time with Jamie's shock exit at the previous week.
Martin shares his opinions about Jamie, leaving Michelle thinking he was questioning her decision on sending him home.
During the night portion, Rick tells Michelle on the whereabouts of his parents and learned his experience when his mom woke him up to move into another house.
They go to Target Field for the Minnesota Twins game where Michelle throws out the first pitch and they give a kiss in front of the crowd.
Nayte gets the second one-on-one date on a harbor at Wayzata into Lake Minnetonka, where Michelle rides a boat and meets with her two best friends, Tia and Allie for their 4-on-1 time together.
Michelle meets her fifth-grade students from her school: Luke, Kelsey, Ahmed, and Jayleen at the Marquette Hotel to evaluate the men for the upcoming one-on-one date.
The final group date of the season has Rick, Rodney, Nayte, Joe, Martin, and Olu at the dairy farm outside Minneapolis, where they have been tasked with milking cows at the barn and churning butter.
At the night portion, Brandon becomes excited to introduce his family to Michelle and he has receives the one-on-one date rose.
Nayte gets the last hometown date to explore near the Stone Arch Bridge, where he and Michelle take part on a paddleboarding above the Mississippi River and set up for relaxation.
Rodney and Peter block Olu from Chris S. Jamie comes from backstage to join Tayshia and Kaitlyn in the hot seat.
Season 14 bachelorette Becca Kufrin stands up and gives an update on her relationship with Thomas Jacobs and shares about the upcoming The Bachelor: Live on Stage Tour.
This ends up Nayte receiving the fantasy suite invitation and heard the group of Mariachi performers down to the ground below.
Over to the final dates, Brandon takes on a jet ski ride on a shore with Michelle and soon they get laid down on a beach.
Nayte goes to take part in a shaman ritual where he and Michelle met Raul, to cleanse out their horrible feelings and express their future.