RACHEL LINDSAY, WHO HAS CAPTIVATED BACHELOR NATION WITH HER BEAUTY, SMILE AND WIT, WILL BE THE NEXT STAR OF 'THE BACHELORETTE' WHEN IT PREMIERES FOR ITS 13TH SEASON, MONDAY, MAY 22, ON ABC

The Highly Anticipated Announcement Was Made on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' Tonight, With Rachel Making a Surprise Appearance

Rachel Lindsay, a fan favorite on the 21st season of ABC's hit romance reality series "The Bachelor," starring Nick Viall, was named as the next woman to hand out the roses and attempt to find her own happy ending when "The Bachelorette" premieres for its 13th season, MONDAY, MAY 22 (9:00-11:00 p.m. EST), on The ABC Television Network. The surprise announcement was made tonight on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live."

Rachel's enchanting smile and laid-back southern charm landed her Nick's first impression rose. From then on, the jury's been in, and Bachelor Nation has been unanimous in their support of the bright and beautiful attorney from Dallas, Texas.

On her first one-on-one date with Nick, Rachel danced through the streets of New Orleans, then danced her way into his heart. Week after week, viewers watched as the initially reticent Rachel opened up more and more. In the end, she finally found the courage to confess her deepest feelings to Nick, only to be left broken-hearted.

"We're thrilled to have Rachel Lindsay as our next Bachelorette," said Robert Mills, senior vice president, Alternative Series, Specials and Late Night for ABC. "This coveted role is always reserved for a fan-favorite from the previous season, and Rachel is no exception and has been the fans' choice since she exited the limo. She is an accomplished, confident and beautiful woman who knows what she wants in life. We all look forward to joining her on the joyous journey as she looks for that one special man."

Season to date (January 2-February 12) in its 21st season, ABC's "The Bachelor" ranks No. 1 in its Monday time period in Total Viewers and in all key Adult demos (A18-34/A18-49/A25-54). The series also ranks as Monday's No. 1 TV program in all key Adult demos (A18-34/A18-49/A25-54). Compared to the same point of the previous season, "The Bachelor" is up in both Total Viewers (+2%) and Adults 18-49 (+19%).

So far this season "The Bachelor" has been the most social broadcast series on Monday night with over three million social interactions, which includes Twitter and Facebook.

Rachel, 31, obtained her under graduate degree at University of Texas at Austin, then went on to receive her law degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee. Driven and passionate about her career, Rachel quickly joined a prestigious law firm back in Dallas after graduation. Winning in court has never been a problem, but finding that great love is a case that unfortunately remains open.

When she's not in the courtroom, Rachel enjoys jamming out to Michael Jackson and Prince, playing basketball and watching scary movies. Her future husband will need to be smart, funny, have a decent jump shot and be willing to compete for her attention with the two other men she holds dearly: her handsome nephew, Allister, and her adorable dog, Copper.

Rachel went through the trials and tribulations of falling in love with Nick on "The Bachelor." Now it will be her turn to "investigate" a group of wonderful men and find her soul mate.

Find out how Rachel's journey ends and learn about her resolve to find the love of her life, as "The Bachelor" continues on Monday nights (8:00-10:01 p.m. EST).

Hosted by Chris Harrison, "The Bachelorette" is produced by Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television. Mike Fleiss, Elan Gale, Bennett Graebner and Nicole Woods are the executive producers.

"The Bachelorette" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with stereo sound.