‘Bachelorette’ Premiere Recap: Rachel Lindsay Meets The Men, ‘Wahboom’ Gets A Rose

The first ever black woman to be the star of ABC’s The Bachelorette, Rachel Lindsay, began – or, more accurately, continued – her search for love on Monday night’s premiere episode of the show’s 13th season.

As is custom, during introductions the contestants try their best to stand out. This season, Rachel was introduced to plenty of quirky men, including one with a miniature puppet of himself (Adam), one with a full marching band (Blake Elarbee), and one who showed up dressed in a penguin costume (Matt Munson).

Rachel, who finished third in Nick Viall‘s season of The Bachelor, took exception to Bryan Abasolo, who daringly decided to plant a kiss on the 32-year-old attorney upon meeting her. For his guts, he was awarded the first impression rose.

The contestant to make the strongest impression – but not necessarily the best – was Lucas ‘Wahboom’ Yancey, who, as his nickname suggests, frequently yells out “wahboom,” like a frat boy Tarzan. Much to the chagrin of the other contestants, he was awarded the final rose of the night. While not the front runner to win the show, he is clearly the front runner for most hated person in the house.

Rachel also expressed her interest in DeMario Jackson, an executive recruiter from California. While the bachelorette had been told that DeMario wasn’t on the show to find love, she still expressed curiousity in him, telling host Chris Hanson, “I’m going to go deeper with DeMario and see if there is some sincerity there.”

Rachel said goodbye to eight men by the end of the Rose Ceremony, leaving 23 men to fight over the Texas woman’s heart.

And now audiences know that one of them succeeds. For the first time ever, the bachelorette announced that she was engaged before the first episode even aired. Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Rachel confirmed that she was engaged to be married, after the show wrapped ten days ago.

When asked why she was allowed to share the news so early, Rachel said, “We joke and say that this is a season of firsts and I think they were like, ‘you know what, you’re so excited, you’re glowing, just do it.”

The pair also discussed the ‘Whaboom Guy,’ Lucas. After noting that Rachel brought her dog to the mansion, host Jimmy Kimmel asked, “Did your dog attack him? Please tell me, ‘yes,.'”

The Bachelorette airs on Mondays at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.

Watch Rachel’s interview on Kimmel below.