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‘The Bachelorette’ Season 16 will finally see an older lead with Clare Crawley, 38, and fans are thrilled

Talking about her age, 38-year-old Crawley said, “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” 

Clare Crawley was announced as the next lead on ‘The Bachelorette’ Season 16 on Monday. The 38-year-old hairstylist from Sacramento, California, has previously appeared in the 2014 season of ‘The Bachelor’, where she was one of the two finalists on that season.

On ‘Good Morning America’ just after the announcement was made, Crawley said, “The most important thing is I want a man that will take off his armor. 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.”

Talking about her age, 38-year-old Crawley said, “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.” 

“I have been known to date younger guys, so that's not a problem for me," she added 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.”

The internet was abuzz with excitement about this announcement. Sarah Wainschel, a community manager at Buzzfeed, wrote on Twitter, “Clare Crawley showed up to the mansion with a fake baby bump, had sex in the ocean with Juan Pablo, talked to raccoons on BIP, and got engaged to a french man on Winter Games. An absolute Bachelor legend, but if they make her bachelorette I s2g (Swear To God).”

In another tweet, she wrote: “Clare as The Bachelorette coming in to absolute OBLITERATE these 22-year-old Instagram influencers. What a legendary move. #TheBachelorette.”

Another Twitter user Ashley wrote: “Bachelor nation have been asking for older contestants for so long and with Clare Crawley, as the Bachelorette we might finally get it. Also, we all know that she will tell the men off when they are wrong and I’m so ready to see her journey next season.”

Of course, not everyone was on board. Aliya Langley wrote on Twitter, “Clare Crawley is the next Bachelorette. I’m happy we have a woman of age/experience and not another early 20 something-year-old but... Clare as lead? Eh. I don’t hate the idea but I also don’t necessarily care for it. We’ll see how this all shapes up.”