If you are a part of #BachelorNation, then you know that the bachelorette to WLW relationship pipeline is a very real phenomenon. On Wednesday’s episode of The View, Gabby Windey, former Bachelorette, announced that she is in a serious relationship with a woman.
She told the audience that she found “the love I always wanted going on these dating shows.”
The 32-year-old was previously engaged to Erich Schwer after season 26 of The Bachelorette, but the pair split up a short time after.
Windey wanted to save the announcement for The View because she felt like it was a safe and supportive place to go public with her relationship.
“I’ve been keeping it kind of private because it is a bigger story and a bigger conversation because I’m dating a girl,” Windey said.
“That’s a twist,” co-host Sunny Hostin said. “I didn’t see that twist coming.”
“I think it was always a whisper in me that just got louder and louder,” Windey replied. “I had to, a little bit, navigate through that shame. But ultimately, I always want to do me.”
Windey also spoke about how it was important for her to be honest with her fans.
“People know me and have kind of related to me on previous shows I’ve been on and I really appreciate them […] but knowing how much people really care, I just want to be honest.”
It was especially important for the announcement so come from her personally, given the fact that her reality TV history has portrayed her in ways the producers decided upon.
“My story has been told for me so many times,” she said.
She also explained why the news was a shock to her parents, though they are supportive of her relationship.
“I do come from a conservative family and a very heteronormative world. Obviously I was on dating shows, dating men. I was a Broncos cheerleader for five years. Like, my whole world was kind of male gaze-y. […] So it took me a while to stop questioning and start trusting. But now I’m fully trusting and I’m here.”
Co-host Joy Behar asked, “So is it girls now, that’s it, girls?”
“I think so,” Windey said. “I think it’s just my girl, she’s the best.”
Windey did not name her girlfriend, but she said she she is “special” and makes her feel “so loved.”
She later posted a picture on Instagram, revealing the identity of the lucky lady: comedian Robby Hoffman. The caption read, “Told you I’m a girls girl!!”
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