We kick off the New Year with Season 26 of ABC’s The Bachelor, which focuses on Clayton Echard as he starts his journey (he is coming off of Michelle Young’s The Bachelorette season 18). Jesse Palmer kicked off the season by reminding us that he was The Bachelor season 5. Having a host that is also a form Bachelor and also played professional football is nice to have that balance and to bring in that level of warmth.

We get a recap of what took place during his season with Michelle and he addressed the fact that he didn’t have the most screentime so it would seem surprising that he would be the next Bachelor.

The fact that the mansion is back, it’s definitely like coming back to an old friend as it’s a stomping ground that we know well. We’re also introduced to the women that we’ll get to know very well.

We meet Salley and we realize that she was supposed to get married and the day of meeting Clayton, she tells him that she was supposed to be married. She lets him know that she is conflicted and he offers her a rose and ultimately, she declines it! Thus all happened pre-limo!

He connects with Jesse to talk about what happened and now we’re finally meeting the women. It’s always fun to see the personalities and how they connect with their intended as they come out of the limo. The mix of sweet and over-the-top entrances is always fun to watch. All the women have arrived and Clayton gives a toast as they begin to get to know one another. He gets 1-on-1 time with each woman, but it’s an extended kiss with Teddi that the girls see where they realize that this is getting serious. Interestingly enough, Teddy didn’t intend to kiss on the first night. The first impression rose arrives and they know that it’s time to step it up - if they have yet to do so. Although everyone enjoyed the dates and times with him, Claire says that he’s not her type and that she feels it’s not a fit. He walks her out as he only wants people that want to be there. He lets them know if anyone wants to step out, now is the time. He then asks to see Teddy so that he can give her the First Impression rose. He also lets them know that the cocktail party is now over and the rose ceremony will begin. The women wonder if the time that they had was enough to ensure that they will be able to stay in the house. He lets them know after tonight, he knows that his wife is in the room and he apologizes to those that he didn’t get a chance to speak to.

SENT HOME: Claire, Daria, Hailey, Ivana, Jane, Lindsay D, Rianna, Salley and Samantha.

RECEIVED A ROSE: Cassidy, Eliza, Elizabeth, Ency, Gabby, Genevieve, Hunter, Jill, Kate, Kira, Lindsey W, Mara, Marlina, Melina, Rachel, Sarah, Serene, Shanae, Sierra, Susie, Teddi, and Tessa.

Each night during the season, we tweet about The Bachelor and you can chat along with us (@AthleisureMag + with our Co-Founder/Creative + Style Director, Kimmie Smith @ShesKimmie) to see what’s taking place!

Each week we will let you know who our faves were from the last episode and if we’ve changed up since then as it pertains to who we think should go to Hometowns.

We also suggest a podcast that we’ve become obsessed with over the past few seasons, Wondery’s Bachelor Happy Hour to get their feedback!

SEASON 26

We’re sharing who you can expect to see on the upcoming season of S26 The Bachelor. The first night brought a lot of surprises from Salley leaving before the limos arrived and kicking out Claire who was unquestionably rude. Teddi received the First Impression rose so we think that she along with Eliza who had a fun interactive German lesson, Enyc who brought a new vibe by talking with Clayton in Persian and Korean as well as the flight instructor, Rachel could be a great group heading to Hometowns!