'The Bachelorette' Season 18 Finale: Michelle gets $200K, fans say Katie Thurston is 'fuming'

Michelle and Nayte received $200k from the franchise and fans joked that the mo
Michelle Young, Nayte Olukoya (ABC) and Katie Thurston (Instagram/thekatiethurston)
Michelle Young, Nayte Olukoya (ABC) and Katie Thurston (Instagram/thekatiethurston)

For Michelle and Nayte, it was love at first sight. The Season 18 Bachelorette and winner finally revealed in the finale that they were very much in love and all set to start their life together. While their relationship went through its fair share of ups and downs, the couple seems to have come out of it stronger than ever.

During the finale, the couple was all smiles and kisses, barely able to keep their hands off each other. Michelle even defended the edit Nayte was given on the show, stating that he is a vulnerable person and that it's not always easy to bare all your emotions on camera. Even her mom, LaVonne seems to be taken with her future son-in-law, proving that there is a lot in store for the happy couple.

RELATED ARTICLES

Clare Crawley and Jeff Dye spark dating rumors months after her split with Dale Moss

Netflix 'Coming Out Colton': 5 things about Colton Underwood's six-part series

One of the biggest questions this season was if Nayte was truly ready to commit and settle down. Although he hasn't outright suggested otherwise, his fear of dealing with such strong emotions showed. The couple confirmed that Nayte would be moving to Minnesota to be with Michelle during the finale. He even mentioned that they were already looking for a house and joked about the constant notifications he got due to their house hunting. Kaitlyn Bristowe had been teasing that there would be shocking surprise for the pair and that came in the form of a $200,000 cheque by the franchise for a downpayment on a house. Michelle and Nayte were shocked, and so were fans. 
"Wow!! Say what you want about the storyline but I don't recall #TheBachelorette Franchise EVER giving $200k down payment for house to any other couple." said a fan. "My bf: so some of Chris Harrison'sold salary us now going to that house down payment #TheBachelorette" tweeted a fan. "I can't help but wonder if that down payment money isn't part of the money saved without having to foot Chris Harrisons salary these days. #TheBachelorette" agreed another. 



 



 



 

Some fans speculated and joked that it was money from Katie Thurston's season, seeing that Season 17 paled compared to Season 18, with the promos being one of the most telling signs. "I know Katie is fuming because her season was so underfunded and they're giving Michelle and Nayte literal MONEY #TheBachelorette #ATFR" tweeted a fan. "I just know Katie is sitting somewhere super pissed she got a lesser season and didn't get a ring (and fiancee) or a huge ass check at the end #TheBachelorette" added another. "The Bachelorette producers really just gave Michelle and Nayte the $200,000 that they saved on the promos for Katie's season #TheBachelorette #thebachelorettefinale" tweeted a fan. "Katie watching Nayte and Michelle get a $200,000 down payment after her under budget season #TheBachelorette" joked another. "$200,000!?!?! Let me get on this show! #TheBachelorette (also very clear Katie was not it for them no shade. all she got was a chance to call greg an actor live on air.) @BachPartyPod" tweeted another. 



 



 



 



 



 





This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Mariska Hargitay’s reported ‘SVU’ paycheck includes acting and producing, while her estimated wealth reflects a career spanning more than four decades.
2026-11-12T20:43:49.000Z
'Marshals' Season 2 introduces a Texas cowgirl who joins Kayce Dutton at East Camp to help establish an equine therapy program.
2026-11-12T20:24:16.000Z
‘School Spirits’ Season 4 brings back Jennifer Tilly as Deborah Hunter-Price and Milo Manheim as Wally Clark while expanding its cast with four new additions
2026-11-12T20:05:26.000Z
Paul Wesley and Sara Canning reunite for Netflix’s college sports romance ‘Icebreaker,’ years after starring together in ‘The Vampire Diaries.’
2026-11-12T19:40:49.000Z
Peacock’s ‘The Good Daughter’ finale answers questions about the school shooting, Huck’s past and the buried secrets dividing Sam and Charlie’s family.
2026-11-12T16:29:59.000Z
‘Chicago Fire’ star Taylor Kinney shares the date for the franchise’s next crossover, which will bring all three NBC dramas together
2026-11-12T08:52:55.000Z
James Reynolds reveals his Parkinson’s diagnosis and explains why ‘Days of Our Lives’ is bringing it into Abe Carver’s storyline
2026-11-12T08:23:38.000Z
Charlie Vickers and his ‘The Rings of Power’ co-stars hint at Sauron’s next move and the Season 3 moments that left even the cast struggling for words
2026-11-12T07:50:09.000Z
Nearly three decades after their 1997 horror film, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Ryan Phillippe are sharing the screen again, this time in the ‘9-1-1’ franchise
2026-11-12T06:55:17.000Z
The Hulu spinoff follows nine MomTok creators in California, with Jen Affleck as the lone original star
2026-11-12T05:10:11.000Z