‘Bachelorette’ Star Gabby Windey Addresses Winner’s Blackface Photo: ‘There Is No Excuse’

Finally feels real! Gabby Windey and Erich Schwer couldn’t be happier about being able to show off their romance in public after the Bachelorette finale.

Gabby Windey has something to say about her performance kiss. The alum received a sweet on-stage smooch from her fiance, Erich Schwer, as she completed her Viennese walz to Elvis Presley's «Can't Help Falling in Love» on Monday night's show — but she tells ET backstage that the moment was filled with more nerves than passion. «I'd like to preface — my mouth was so dry,» she exclaims to ET's Matt Cohen when asked about the moment with Schwer. «Because of the nerves,» she continues, «but it was so sweet.» Val and Gabby danced to I can't help falling in love <3 #DWTSpic.twitter.com/EK0DU9pAwbMy heart ❤️

Can’t help falling in love! Bachelorette star Gabby Windey’s fiancé Erich Schwer visited her during rehearsal for Dancing With the Stars ahead of her Elvis Night performance.

Her final rose! Gabby Windey got engaged to Erich Schwer on season 19 of The Bachelorette, but like most relationships in Bachelor Nation, their journey was full of ups and downs.

Kaitlyn Bristowe has some thoughts on 's season finale. The former franchise lead and one-time host took to Instagram on Thursday to weigh in on the latest season of the show, and revealed the one thing she thinks should've been included during the three-hour-long, live finale.«The show, Erich, and Gabby, had a real opportunity to use their voice and acknowledge Blackface,» Kaitlyn wrote, referring to an old, resurfaced photo of Erich in Blackface.Erich previously apologized for the photo on Instagram, writing in part, «I was naïve to the hurtful implications of my actions to the Black community and those closest to me, and will forever regret my offensive and damaging behavior.»For Kaitlyn, the Blackface controversy could have replaced several portions of the finale that she deemed unnecessary.«I don’t think we needed to read texts from his ex, or set up a fake mansion for Zach,» Kaitlyn wrote, referencing the lengthy discussion of Erich's controversial text messages, as well as the new Bachelor, Zach Shallcross, meeting several women from his season during the live finale.«I think we needed to continue to evolve and show up with that many people watching. Michelle, myself, and Becca were all under the impression this would be addressed,» Kaitlyn added of herself and her fellow former Bachelorettes, Michelle Young and Becca Kufrin, all of whom attended the finale.

Not holding back. Kaitlyn Bristowe shared her thoughts on the season 19 finale of The Bachelorette — and she didn’t like everything she saw.

A familiar feeling. Becca Kufrin compared Bachelorette winner Erich Schwer‘s blackface controversy to her former fiancé Garrett Yrigoen‘s 2018 social media scandal.

Gabby Windey and Erich Schwer are ready for whatever the future holds. ET's Rachel Smith spoke to the nurse on Wednesday, one day after her engagement to the real estate analyst was revealed on Tuesday night's season finale of , and Gabby shared the next steps she and her fiancé are taking in their relationship.«We're both in L.A., so it’s nice already to be in the same city,» Gabby tells ET. «I think we're just excited to live life together, finally, and not have separate lives that we mesh like every couple weeks.

Erich Schwer was in the hot seat during The Bachelorette: After the Final Rose on Tuesday, September 20, but some members of Bachelor Nation aren’t happy that Gabby Windey’s fiancé didn’t have to answer for a resurfaced photo of him in blackface in high school.

The aftermath from the Bachelorette finale continues. After Gabby Windey’s fiancé, Erich Schwer, confronted his former flame Amanda Kayler’s claims about their pre-show relationship on The Bachelorette: After the Final Rose, she is speaking out exclusively to Us Weekly.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent It’s official: Zach Shallcross will be the next star of “The Bachelor,” which heads into its 27th season in 2023. Shallcross — who Variety previously reported would be ABC’s next leading man — was a contestant from the current season of “The Bachelorette,” which wraps up its season tonight. “The Bachelor” announcement was made Tuesday night during the live finale by host Jesse Palmer. This season of “The Bachelorette” made history, starring two women for the first time: Gabby Windey and Rachel Recchia. Shallcross was a finalist, having dated “Bachelorette” star Recchia as one of the most promising suitors of the season. But after a heartbreaking and surprising breakup on the show, Shallcross’ journey became one of the most dramatic storylines towards the end of the season.

Erich Schwer had a lot to answer for when he and Gabby Windey reunited on The Bachelorette: After the Final Rose on Tuesday, September 20.

Erich Schwer is speaking out amid a major controversy. On Tuesday's season finale of , the real estate analyst popped the question to Gabby Windey, but their engagement was overshadowed by recent claims from Erich's ex.Last week, a woman who claims to have dated Erich before he went on the show released what she alleges are texts from their time together.During the live portion of Tuesday's episode, Erich addressed the situation with host Jesse Palmer.«I met this girl about a month before it started and I had no idea I was going to come here.

Gabby Windey found her love! On Tuesday's season finale of , the nurse got engaged to Erich Schwer, a real estate analyst.After initially expressing interest in both Gabby and her co-lead, Rachel Recchia, Erich quickly moved firmly into the former's camp of suitors.At the largest group date in franchise history, Gabby told ET that Erich was «such a pleasant surprise.»«I was initially kind of fearful to explore my relationship with him, because he reminds me of the men I've dated in the past, but getting to know him, he really was such a sweet soul,» Gabby said of Erich. "… We have such an easy, vulnerable connection that I kind of can’t believe that it’s happening so fast.«The pair went on to have a one-on-one date that was anything but typical, as Gabby's grandpa joined them for a day of bowling.

Bachelorette bombshell. Season 19 finalist Erich Schwer is no stranger to controversy — and he once again found himself in hot water when texts between him and ex-girlfriend Amanda Kaylor were leaked last week.

Advice from the best! Gabby Windey revealed that she’s gotten a few tips from two former Bachelorettes who’ve also competed on — and won — Dancing With the Stars: Kaitlyn Bristowe and Hannah Brown.

It seems Erich Schwer is already in the hot seat before After the Final Rose. A former flame of Gabby Windey’s Bachelorette finalist has leaked alleged text messages suggesting that he didn’t go on the show for the right reasons.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent Nothing is official until it’s official, but sources tell Variety that ABC is all-but-set on Zach Shallcross being its next star of “The Bachelor.” Two individuals familiar with “The Bachelor” search have told Variety that Shallcross is the network’s pick to lead Season 27, which will likely air in early 2023. Shallcross is expected to be announced as the new “Bachelor” on next week’s season finale of “The Bachelorette,” during “After the Final Rose” on Tuesday, Sept. 20. Shallcross was a contestant on the current 19th season of “The Bachelorette,” which stars two women: Rachel Recchia and Gabby Windey.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent SPOILER ALERT: Do not read ahead, if you have not watched “The Bachelorette” Season 19 finale, part one, which aired on Sept. 13 on ABC… In an episode so dramatic, ABC had to unexpectedly extend the two-hour runtime, “The Bachelorette” began its journey to its grand finale, airing the first part of its live finale on Tuesday night. Leading ladies, Rachel Recchia and Gabby Windey, have both dwindled down their suitors to one man each. But will next week’s big finale see an engagement for either woman? Both women faced similar situations with men who say they love them, but aren’t quite ready to propose at the end of the reality show. The contestants say they want to spend the rest of their lives with Recchia and Windey, respectively, but hope to experience a more realistic relationship timeline than tying the knot on TV, after just a handful of weeks.