'The Bachelorette': Gabby Talks Next Plans With Erich, Reacts to His Controversial Texts (Exclusive)

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.

Michelle Young wants to see some change from Bachelor Nation. On Saturday, ET’s Cassie DiLarua caught up with the Bachelorette at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas, where she spoke out about the finale not addressing Erich Schwer’s Blackface controversy.  “If I’m going to stay a part of this franchise, this franchise is gonna change,” she says.

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.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent You know how they always say this is the most dramatic finale in “Bachelor” history? Well, this really might have been it. “The Bachelorette” Season 19 began with leading ladies Rachel Recchia and Gabby Windey both in seemingly happy relationships, with each only having one suitor left — for Rachel, it was Tino Franco; and for Gabby, it was Erich Schwer. Both women were hoping for proposals and they got them. But their fairytale endings were short-lived, as off-camera scandals soon ensued. Gabby and Erich weathered their storm of Erich texting one of his exes, who came forward on social media. The pair are still happily engaged. The same cannot be said for Rachel and Tino, who admitted to cheating on her after the season had wrapped production — of course, cameras followed the couple as they had one of the franchise’s most hard-to-watch conversations of all time. Needless to say, they are broken up.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent This week’s season finale of “The Bachelorette” saw a happy ending for leading lady, Gabby Windey, who received a proposal from her final suitor, Erich Schwer. But despite the couple’s engagement, their road to find love on reality TV was not without controversy — and not just the on-screen drama you expect from a dating show, but the real trouble that comes with being thrust into the public spotlight. Towards the end of the season, an old photo from Schwer’s high school yearbook surfaced online, showing the then-teenager wearing blackface as part of a high school Halloween costume in which he dressed up as Jimi Hendrix with dark makeup and an afro wig.

SPOILER ALERT: Do not read ahead, if you have not watched the Season 19 finale of “The Bachelorette,” which aired on Sept. 20... Did Rachel Recchia and Gabby Windey find their happy ending?  Heading into the second half of the two-part Bachelorette finale, both women maintained one final suitor. Rachel with Tino Franco — her first impression rose recipient whose family disapproved of their relationship — and Gabby with Erich Schwer — who Gabby worried was not ready to propose. Adding to the on-screen drama, both men had been tainted by off-screen rumors in real life, which host Jesse Palmer alluded to at the top of the live segment. 

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.

Getting their happy ending. Erich Schwer proposed to Gabby Windey during the season 19 finale of The Bachelorette on Tuesday, September 20.

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.

Season 19 of The Bachelorette may come to a dramatic end for both Gabby Windey and Rachel Recchia.

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.

Gabby Windey and Rachel Recchia's journey is winding down. On part 1 of 's two-part, live, season finale, the ladies introduced their suitors to their families and made some tough choices about their futures, all of which ET is breaking down in the recap below.Ahead of the episode, host Jesse Palmer told viewers and the live studio audience that the upcoming episodes will be «so emotional, so dramatic, so controversial.»Then the ladies joined him live, in-studio, where Rachel admitted she was «definitely nervous» about what's to come, and Gabby called her journey «bigger and more life-changing than I could've imagined.»Zach and Rachel started things off with a goodbye, before Aven shocked both Rachel and her family with his confession.

The drama didn’t slow down for Rachel Recchia during part one of The Bachelorette season 19 finale following Zach Shallcross’ departure — and Gabby Windey had her own meltdown at the end of the episode.

Rachel Recchia and Aven Jones are no more. On Tuesday night's episode of , the pilot said goodbye to the sales executive in devastating fashion.Aven caught Rachel's attention on night one, when he told her that he was on the show to pursue her, not her co-lead, Gabby Windey.On the largest group date in franchise history, Aven gushed to ET about Rachel being «very personable and easy to talk to.» It was later that night that he earned a group date rose.Then, on their one-on-one date shortly thereafter, Aven made Rachel swoon by gifting her a bracelet that his mom made him.«Truly, I could easily see myself falling in love with Aven, and I feel like I'm almost there,» Rachel said in a confessional at the time.After Rachel and Aven's successful Hometown date, he opened up about her feelings toward her.«I have zero doubts,» he said.

Gabby Windey broke things off on , Jason took to Instagram to address his time on the show and give an update on how he's been since.«This has been an especially painful time, and watching back those final moments we shared was absolutely heart wrenching,» Jason wrote alongside a photo of himself walking on the beach. «I have learned so much about myself through this process, but mostly I have learned that Gabby is one of the strongest women I’ve ever met.»«Her ability to keep her heart open and be vulnerable while navigating an impossibly complex and delicate situation is testament to that,» he added, «and I have nothing but admiration and respect for her.»While Jason and Gabby's relationship appeared to be going strong in the latter part of the season, he realized that he wouldn't be ready to propose during Hometowns week, despite things going well between the nurse and his family.Though he knew a proposal wasn't coming, Jason traveled to Mexico for Fantasy Suites.

Erich Schwer has issued an apology. After an old photo of Gabby Windey's final suitor in Blackface resurfaced, the 29-year-old real estate analyst took to Instagram to address the controversy.«I wholeheartedly apologize for the insensitive photo of me in Blackface from my high school yearbook that has been circulating,» Erich wrote alongside a black square on Instagram.