Michelle Youngweighed in on the first half ofThe Bachelorfinale.
On Monday night, following the first ofClayton Echard’stwo-part season finale, Young, 28, shared some brief thoughts about the episode in a post on Instagram.
“Anyone else feel like they need a nap after that episode!? 🙋🏽♀️,“she captioned the post, which featured three photos that were takenat the live portion of the show.
The first image showed Young — who was a contestant on Matt James' season ofThe Bachelorand later became the Bachelorette of season 18 — standing on stage in an off-the-shoulder green dress with matching green heels.
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The second image captured her smiling beside fellow BacheloretteKaitlyn Bristowe, while the third showed Young with Bristowe, season 16 BacheloretteClare CrawleyandBachelorcontestantCassie Randolph.
Michelle Young.michelle young/ instagram
Host Jesse Palmer later asked Young how she felt about Echard’s decision, particularly because he competed for her heart when he was on her season ofThe Bachelorette.
Michelle Young and Kaitlyn Bristowe.michelle young/ instagram
“There’s no handbook to being a lead or to being on the cast. But what I do know is being vulnerable. It’s a really strong thing to do, to put yourself out there, to give everything that you have,” Young said.
“But I think it’s just this huge reminder that when you’re in a relationship and when you’re loving — whether it’s family, whether it’s friends, an intimate relationship — you have to handle with care,” she added. “That’s both sides and both sides have to be willing to put in the same amount of effort. Both sides have to feel heard and acknowledged. I think that’s the only way that two people can work past something like this.”
Crawley, 40, also shared her thoughts on Clayton’s rose ceremony in Iceland, saying, “I’m being honest, not well. It’s tough to watch, it’s tough to be on our side of it. We all know what that feels like. But watching it is excruciating, and I think it’s cringy.”
Crawley later added, “I hope [Clayton] does find love. I hope he does because that’s ultimately why we go in this and sign up for this because that’s what we want and that’s what we hope for. I think only he knows what’s best for him. But I think that’s an important thing also to think about when watching this from other people is that these are real people with their hearts on the line and on both sides of it. I just applaud all of them for putting out their vulnerability because it’s hard and he knows what’s best for him.”
From left: Kaitlyn Bristowe, Clare Crawley, Cassie Randolph and Michelle Young.michelle young/ instagram
Monday’s episode wasn’t the first time that Young has voiced support for Echard.
In December, right after the 28-year-old former NFL player was announced as the lead ofThe Bachelor, Young told PEOPLE of Echard,“He was always just so kind.“She also added how Echard was “always” focused on “self-growth and working on himself” on the ABC reality show.
“He was in this constant state of reflection,” she said. “And in our conversations, it was just really cool to see him kind of reflect and open up and then move forward and just, you know, and so the fact that he gets this opportunity to find his person.”
Michelle Young and Clayton Echard.Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
Though Young didn’t find love with Echard on her season, she did get her happy ending in contestantNayte Olukoya. During the finale of her season, Young accepted Olukoya’s proposal and the pair have been happy in love ever since.
Olukoya added, “It’s so natural for us to be together. I’ve never felt the way I feel before. I’m all in!”
The Bachelorfinale continues Tuesday at 8 p.m. on ABC.
source: people.com
