'The Bachelorette': Jesse Palmer Opens Up On Clothing 'Optional' Season

Reality TV host Jesse Palmer recently gave E! News a sneak preview into the latest season of "The Bachelorette." The sneak peek showed Rachel Recchia and Gabby Windey's first night as the Bachelorettes of the season and revealed that some men were really making a good impression on the women. 

Palmer also spoke to E! News about the apparent lack of clothing for some of the men in the house and revealed that the contestants this season have decided to add a no clothing rule. During promotions for the season, ABC promised fans double trouble, and they apparently did not hold back. 

Read on to find out more.

In a cast group photo for season 19, one man standing amongst the other contestants appears shirtless, hinting to Bachelor Nation that something interesting happened that night. Palmer joked about it during his talk with E! News, saying, "Apparently, at these arrivals now, clothing is optional."

When he was asked how much skin the contestant and other contestants have bared, Palmer confirmed that there is a lot more to see. He said, "This particular gentleman, I don't think really likes clothes. I think he prefers to just bear it all. That's sort of his vibe."

This mysterious shirtless contestant isn't the presence in the season who made what Palmer called a "legendary" entrance. He said, "There were four-legged animals, two-legged animals, magic tricks, forklifts. Really, it just ran the gamut."

With how iconic this new season is, it's no surprise that there are a few new elements. This is the first season in Bachelorette history to feature two women searching for true love simultaneously and in the same group of contestants. 

Recchia and Windey were the chosen women, and they were both contestants on "The Bachelor," featuring in Clayton Echard's season. They made it to the finale, hoping for Echard to choose one of them. However, he ultimately decided to win his way back into the heart of Susie Evans.

The two women became very close friends during their season on "The Bachelor." According to Palmer, their close bond pushed the studio into giving them their season. On the March 15th finale of "The Bachelor," he said, "Watching you both support each other in Iceland, and also how you have tonight, that was really the big reason why we decided to give you both a shot."

Being the first dual bachelorettes of the franchise, there were a lot of changes for Recchia and Windey to adapt to. They had to figure out the best way to approach the contestants and work with each other to find their happily ever afters.

Palmer said, "I think they deserve a ton of credit because they took control. They sometimes made up their own rules, they entered uncharted waters at times, but I think the biggest thing about Rachel and Gabby is they have tremendous support for one another."'

However, he refused to confirm if the two women fell for the same guy. He only teased fans by saying there were some "unexpected challenges" to overcome. He said, "It's not them competing for something, but there were some raw, serious, and honest conversations that had to take place."

During the interview, Palmer also reflected on his growth since his season as the Bachelor in season five. He said he learned how important communication is during his season and said, "I think the show really helps you tap into your own vulnerability."

He said, "I came from a locker room culture where you were never supposed to show weakness, you're never supposed to ask for help. This franchise has shown me, and I think a lot of guys out there who watch, that it's ok to be vulnerable, and it's important to be that way, and to open yourself up, especially to someone that you really love and care about."

The woman Palmer chose at the end of his season was Jessica Bowlin, but the two didn't stay together long. He has since found his happily ever after with Emely Palmer, whom he married in 2021.