Bowing out gracefully! Caila Quinn could not be happier that JoJo Fletcher is the next Bachelorette — even though producers initially offered her the opportunity. Ben Higgins‘ second runner-up reacted to the shocking last-minute switcheroo via Twitter in the early hours of Tuesday, March 15, hours after The Bachelor’s After the Final Rose aired.
![Cat Quinn](/wp-content/uploads/140883_1950_caila-quinn-zoom-f258ef8a-a3b5-4084-a10e-510a287340df.jpg?w=1000&quality=82&strip=all)
“Congratulations to these beautiful girls!” she captioned a throwback photo of Fletcher and the winner, Higgins’ fiancee Lauren Bushnell. “Sending love as the journey isn’t over, it’s only just beginning.”
![JoJo Fletcher and Ben Higgins](/wp-content/uploads/509269718_jojo-ben-higgins-the-bachelor-zoom-00fc630c-3993-4f4d-8609-92b78b3fd544.jpg?w=1000&quality=40&strip=all)
As previously reported, Quinn, 24, was initially supposed to hand out roses to 25 hopefuls next season. Fletcher’s story line, however, (Higgins said “I love you” to both her and Bushnell!) appeared to strike a chord with Bachelor Nation fans.
Congratulations to these beautiful girls! Sending love as the journey isn’t over, it’s only just beginning ?? pic.twitter.com/4B6u7V7EYK
— Caila Quinn (@CailaQuinn) March 15, 2016
Chris Harrison announced the news as Fletcher sat next to her ex Higgins during ATFR. The host teased the audience before pointing to the real estate developer.
“Congratulations!” Higgins, 26, said, looking on in shock.
Fletcher seemed overwhelmed by the loud cheers from the live audience. “I mean, guys, I’m so excited.” Higgins added: “She’s very deserving.”
Relive the moment in the video above!