The Bachelorette is expected to have two stars next season: Clare Crawley and Tayshia Adams

Variety

Over the weekend, online rumors claimed that Clare fell in love and stepped down from the ABC reality show, and was replaced by Tayshia Adams from Colton Underwood's Bachelor season. "While both ABC and Warner Bros. TV have declined to comment about the on-set bombshell, sources say tabloid and blog reports that have surfaced over the weekend are not all entirely accurate," according to Variety's Elizabeth Wagmeister. "However, insiders have clued Variety in on the fact that there is some validity to the rumors that Crawley and Adams could swap in the leading lady position during the season. In other words, Crawley — the woman who was originally cast as The Bachelorette for Season 16 — will not be completely replaced, and her dramatic storyline will air during the season." As one production insider tells her: “It’s shaping up to be a very interesting season creatively with lots of twists and turns." Wagmeister adds: "Even if Crawley had fallen in love with a contestant early on throughout filming, a cast member cannot make the decision to depart the show on which they are under contract. However, if the production team believes a cast departure could benefit the storyline, the switch could certainly happen."