Charity Lawson Better Be ‘The Bachelorette’ After That Emotional Zach Shallcross Breakup

The Bachelor Season 27, Episode 8’s ending was bittersweet, to say the least. On one hand, we were crushed to see Zach Shallcross send Charity Lawson home. On the other hand, we desperately want Lawson to be The Bachelorette‘s Season 20 lead, so we have our fingers crossed that her journey to find love on TV isn’t over just yet.

Since the moment the 26-year-old child and family therapist from Columbus, Georgia stepped out of the limo it was clear that she — forgive me — was here for the right reasons. Lawson consistently stressed her readiness to find a lasting love, showcased remarkable self-awareness, and was open about her emotions until the very end. She showed tremendous patience and empathy when her London one-on-one got canceled after Shallcross contracted COVID. Her fun, adventurous side was on full display during their day date in Estonia. And at night, she showed her strength and maturity by opening up about a past emotionally abusive, manipulative, unfaithful partner.

Everything I saw from Lawson leading up to Week 8 made me hopeful for her and Shallcross’ future, but her Hometown Date truly solidified her potential. Shallcross met Lawson’s parents, her brothers, her sister, and her childhood best friends at an incredibly chill backyard lunch gathering where she exuded comfort, kindness, emotional intelligence, and personality. When chatting with family and friends, Lawson explained that she could see Shallcross as her life-long partner while acknowledging the reality that he could break her heart. She broke down crying several times throughout the afternoon — while recalling past heartbreak, admiring her parents’ marriage, and realizing just how much her loved ones want to see her happy — and she emerged with renewed faith in herself and her value.

In a word, Lawson called the Hometown Date “perfect,” and for good reason! I never expected her to go home after one of the smoothest, most emotionally fulfilling meet the fams I’ve seen in over a decade of watching this franchise’s shows. But even after the surprise elimination, she carried herself with grace, class, and vulnerability. “It’s hard even saying these words right now. But I think I took a big risk obviously coming here and putting my heart out on the line. And I knew that from Night 1 — the moment that you spoke and the moment that I knew it was you — I knew that this experience was going to be something incredible. It’s bittersweet for sure,” she said.

Though Lawson was blindsided and confused by the decision, she wished Shallcross good luck, even after he offered her this deeply perplexing reassurance: “You deserve all the love and I couldn’t give it to you.” As she was driving away from the mansion, Lawson explained, “Sometimes that’s just the way life goes. And it sucks. But it just means I’m one step closer to finding who I need to be with.” It’s a profoundly difficult mindset to have mere seconds after getting dumped, and further proof that Lawson is our best choice for The Bachelorette Season 20.

Lawson will be the first to tell you that she’s still growing and healing from her former toxic relationship, but it’s taught her what she does want in a partner, and she remains incredibly self-aware, grounded, and serious about finding love. She has a solid support system that helps lift her up when things get heavy, and she deserves another shot to find a man who treats her right and knows her worth.

ABC, if we must endure yet another season of The Bachelorette, Charity Lawson’s our girl.

New episodes of The Bachelor air on ABC Mondays at 8 p.m. ET. Episodes are available for next-day streaming on Hulu.