The Bachelorette’s Katie Thurston ‘was in control’ as season 17 wraps ‘a week ahead of schedule’

Katie Thurston has had such a successful journey to find love, production on her upcoming season of The Bachelorette is ending early.

The 30-year-old reality star stuck to her guns as season 17 of the hit franchise wrapped ‘a week ahead of schedule.’

‘Katie was in control and made sure the men she wanted were there and the men she wasn’t interested in, she sent packing,’ a source told US Weekly on Tuesday.

Success! Katie Thurston has had such a successful journey to find love, production on her upcoming season of The Bachelorette is ending early. The 30-year-old reality star stuck to her guns as season 17 of the hit franchise wrapped ‘a week ahead of schedule’

Bachelor Nation will be happy to know that filming of Katie’s final rose has already finished, and according to the insider, ‘went great and it wrapped a week ahead of schedule.’

The media personality became a sensation on Matt James’ season of The Bachelor, though he sent her home in week six.

On the After The Final Rose special in March, it was revealed Thurston was chosen to take on the stressful role as the object of numerous suitors’ affections.

She immediately left to New Mexico to begin filming her story at New Mexico’s Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa. 

'In control': 'Katie was in control and made sure the men she wanted were there and the men she wasn’t interested in, she sent packing,' a source told US Weekly on Tuesday

‘In control’: ‘Katie was in control and made sure the men she wanted were there and the men she wasn’t interested in, she sent packing,’ a source told US Weekly on Tuesday 

Fan favorite: The media personality became a sensation on Matt James' season of The Bachelor, though he sent her home in week six. On the After The Final Rose special, it was revealed Thurston was chosen to take on the stressful role as the latest Bachelorette

Fan favorite: The media personality became a sensation on Matt James’ season of The Bachelor, though he sent her home in week six. On the After The Final Rose special, it was revealed Thurston was chosen to take on the stressful role as the latest Bachelorette

The five-star resort was completely rented out by the production, before finishing this past Saturday. 

‘I’m ready to find love,’ Thurston said on the special. ‘And not just the temporary kind — I’m talking forever, my husband. And I’m in a place in my life where I feel like I’m the best version of me.’ 

One major change for the series is franchise host Chris Harrison not being featured for the first time.

He was forced to step down from the franchise in February following a tense interview with former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay in which he seemed to defend the winner of James’ season’s racist behavior. 

Location: She left to New Mexico to begin filming her story in March at New Mexico's Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa. The five-star resort was completely rented out by the production, before finishing this past Saturday

Location: She left to New Mexico to begin filming her story in March at New Mexico’s Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa. The five-star resort was completely rented out by the production, before finishing this past Saturday

He's out: Chris Harrison won't be there this time around after being forced to step down in February for seeming to defend the winner of James' season's racist actions in an interview with Rachel Lindsay; seen in January 2020

He’s out: Chris Harrison won’t be there this time around after being forced to step down in February for seeming to defend the winner of James’ season’s racist actions in an interview with Rachel Lindsay; seen in January 2020

Replacing him will be the team of former Bachelorettes Kaitlyn Bristowe and Tayshia Adams.

According to the source, the two new additions were an excellent source of guidance for Katie.

‘Tayshia and Kaitlyn can relate to Katie’s journey in a lot of different ways, which you’ll see play out, so it was nice to have them there to help out with whatever situation came up,’ they said. 

‘Tayshia had fun and loved doing it. She and Katilyn made a great team,’ they added before pointing out that Adams is interested in hosting again.

New hosts: Replacing him will be the team of former Bachelorettes Kaitlyn Bristowe (pictured) and Tayshia Adams; seen in 2019

Surprise Bachelorette: Tayshia (pictured) took over season 16 after Clare Crawley got engaged early; seen in November 2020

New hosts: Replacing him will be the team of former Bachelorettes Kaitlyn Bristowe and Tayshia Adams

A second source explained that there was an adjustment period for the new hosts, making it clear they aren’t ‘replacing’ Harrison: ‘Tayshia and Kaitlyn have had to learn how to cohost and it’s taken time. They’re lovely to work with and they get along with the crew. It’s just completely different with them cohosting.

ABC has yet to announce Chris’ future with the franchise, but an additional insider told the publication that it hasn’t been the same on the set without him.

‘It’s a different vibe. Chris was the glue that holds it together. He’s like the father figure to everybody. He’s someone everybody knows and respects and truly loves,’ they admitted.

First look! Bachelor Nation got their first taste of the season with a short promo that aired during Sunday's Academy Awards broadcast. Katie was shown in a lovely lavender dress with a voluminous skirt covered in sparkling flower-shaped spangles

First look! Bachelor Nation got their first taste of the season with a short promo that aired during Sunday’s Academy Awards broadcast. Katie was shown in a lovely lavender dress with a voluminous skirt covered in sparkling flower-shaped spangles

Powerful: She also clutched a red rose to signal that all the power lies with her this time around. 'I am who I am and I want to meet someone who knows who they are,' she said via voiceover. 'My person is still out there'

Powerful: She also clutched a red rose to signal that all the power lies with her this time around. ‘I am who I am and I want to meet someone who knows who they are,’ she said via voiceover. ‘My person is still out there’

Bachelor Nation got their first taste of the season with a short promo that aired during Sunday’s Academy Awards broadcast.

Katie was shown in a lovely lavender dress with a voluminous skirt covered in sparkling flower-shaped spangles.

She also clutched a red rose to signal that all the power lies with her this time around. 

‘I am who I am and I want to meet someone who knows who they are,’ she said via voiceover. ‘My person is still out there.’ 

Coming soon: Bachelor Nation will get to see how things play out for Thurston when Season 17 of The Bachelorette begins on ABC on Monday, June 7, at 8 p.m. ET

Coming soon: Bachelor Nation will get to see how things play out for Thurston when Season 17 of The Bachelorette begins on ABC on Monday, June 7, at 8 p.m. ET