Gabby Windey and Rachel Recchia have opened up about being chosen to co-star on The Bachelorette's upcoming nineteenth season as dual stars.
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During The Bachelor's Season 26 finale on Tuesday night, viewers watched Clayton Echard break up with and devastate Gabby and Rachel -- in a group dumping session -- after sleeping with and professing his love to both of them in order to chase down the girl he was "most in love" with, Susie Evans, who became his girlfriend in the real world once filming ending.
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The Bachelor host Jesse Palmer announced at the end of the live finale broadcast how both Gabby and Rachel will star on The Bachelorette next season after enduring a tumultuous and emotional ride on Clayton's season.
"We had no idea!" Rachel, a 25-year-old flight instructor from Clermont, FL, said during a joint interview with Gabby on Wednesday's episode of Good Morning America.
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"None," agreed Gabby, a 30-year-old ICU nurse and former NFL cheerleader from Denver, CO.
The women, however, apparently have no idea how this season is going to work, especially since they only learned of their casting less than 24 hours ago.
"I don't know, everyone keeps asking," Gabby said with a laugh. "We just got thrown in, but I have faith and a lot of trust, and I love Rachel to death and I know we're going to have each other's backs the whole way."
"So there's really not a doubt in my mind that it's going to end up well," Gabby added.
For the first time ever, The Bachelorette will have two leading ladies for the entire season.
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The reality dating series featured two Bachelorettes once before on Season 11, but the men voted for their favorite of the two women at the end of Night 1 and ultimately selected Kaitlyn Bristowe to continue on the show instead of Britt Nilsson.
Gabby and Rachel created an incredible bond while going through Clayton's season together and having their hearts broken at the same exact time when Clayton dumped them in a group meeting before the Final Rose Ceremony.
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELORETTE' COUPLES NOW: WHOM DID 'THE BACHELORETTE' STARS AND THEIR BACHELOR PICKS ULTIMATELY END UP WITH?! (PHOTOS)
Jesse said on the live finale that producers found Gabby and Rachel's support of one another through those challenging times inspirational and so they're both equally deserving of this opportunity.
Rachel called her friendship "insane," explaining on GMA, "The things that Gabby and I have been through together, multiple times, we always knew that we just had a bond forever."
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"And to be able to do this with her," Rachel said, before looking at Gabby, "now you're never going to get rid of me -- ever!"
"Same," Gabby noted with a laugh. "I don't want to [get rid of you]."
Gabby and Rachel managed to stay friends although Gabby believed Clayton had tried to pit them against each other and really make the show a competition for his heart.
The reality TV stars shared how their experiences with Clayton will help them set boundaries for themselves and the 30 men they date on Season 19.
"It really hurt both of us," Gabby said, referring to how Clayton had "misled" and "betrayed" them by not being forthcoming with all of the information he had during filming.
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"I don't know if I can do it perfect, but I think I'll be able to communicate [love] in a way where people who are hopefully in my position can have a better experience than we did," Gabby shared.
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And Rachel concluded, "I think we're in a really good position to be able to learn from what we just went through and not do the same in the future -- and we'll at least have respect for people."
"Yeah, at the very least," Gabby interjected with a laugh.
"At the very least," Rachel agreed with a giggle.
When asked what they're looking for in a perfect man, Rachel shared with Jesse on Tuesday night how she'd like a supportive man and someone who actually loves her, which was clearly a jab at Clayton.
And Gabby told Jesse, "Someone who's emotionally intelligent, mature, who can challenge me, and... [a sense of humor]."
The Bachelorette's nineteenth season will premiere Monday, July 11 on ABC and feature Jesse Palmer returning as the host.
Following Chris Harrison's permanent exit from the franchise, The Bachelorette had been hosted by Kaitlyn Bristowe and Tayshia Adams for Season 17 starring Katie Thurston and Season 18 starring Michelle Young.
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' FRANCHISE COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER?? (PHOTOS)
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