Gabby Windey will soon put down her roses and trade them in for some dancing shoes!
Windey’s joint season of “The Bachelorette” alongside Rachel Recchia is winding down with the season finale airing in a few weeks. While Bachelor Nation waits with bated breath to see if Windey will leave her ‘bachelorette’ era as an engaged woman, Windey’s plans for her second phase as a reality TV darling have come to light!
The 31-year-old former ICU nurse has her sight set on the dance floor!
Earlier today Windey was announced as a cast member on the upcoming season of “Dancing With The Stars,” and will be dancing alongside ‘DWTS’ vet Val Chmerkovskiy for the show’s first season streaming on Disney+. Read on to find out more about Windey’s exciting career pivot!
Catching Up On Windey’s Time In Bachelor Nation
“The Bachelorette” recently wrapped up its annual hometown visits, wherein Windey and Recchia met their final contestant’s families.
The duo’s hometown visits captured Bachelor Nation for a number of reasons, and fans were more than ready to dish about the whirlwind experience on social media!
Recchia, 26, endured everything from the sad aftermath of trying to prevent any further heartbreak when she opted not to meet her contestant Tyler Norris’ family after realizing she couldn’t continue their relationship, to enduring the mutual skepticism of Tino Franco’s parents about the validity of their relationship.
Windey, on the other hand, received a crash course in enduring hardship throughout marriage when she met her contestant Erich Schwer’s father, who had been battling cancer. Mr. Schwer passed away in July. (via TV Insider)
Roses And Reflection: What Are Windey’s Thoughts On Her ‘Bachelorette’ Days?
In addition to Windey’s emotional hometown date, she also sent home her contestant, Johnny DePhillipo on the first of two episodes that aired this week, after it was revealed she and the 25-year-old DePhillipo weren’t on the same page when it came to a looming engagement. She and Schwer also attempted to work through his insecurities about her relationships with the remaining men.
In addition to her “Dancing With The Stars” news, Windey spoke to People and shared her thoughts on her Bachelor Nation experience. She was candid when discussing the ways in which the experience had shaped and influenced her life.
“I can say I’m happy,” she told the outlet, “‘Bachelor’s really emotional. It was challenging in so many ways that you have to really get to know yourself, make yourself vulnerable, try and make the right decision that’s best for you at the time…”
Getting Dance-y With It: What Are The Details About Windey’s ‘DWTS’ Experience?
For Windey, her time in Bachelor Nation has already positively influenced the upcoming chapter in her career!
When discussing “Dancing With The Stars” with People, Windey said, “I think I grew so much the last two seasons [of ‘The Bachelor’ and ‘Bachelorette] that now I really get to challenge myself in a different way. I think there is a lot of actual vulnerability that comes with this position because nobody knows what you’re doing,” she explained. “Plus, you have to perform live. So it was good kind of building blocks for this.”
Windey’s partner Val Chermerkovsky has been part of the “Dancing With The Stars” crew for a long time!
The “Dancing With The Stars” champion knows a thing or two about leading a dance both on and off camera; in 2019, Chmerkovsky incorporated his fancy footwork into his nuptials to Jenna Johnson!