By Ben Flanagan

Love Again | The Bachelorette

Charity Lawson’s journey as season 20 of “The Bachelorette” kicks off tonight at 8 p.m. on ABC, and we had a chance to catch up with the franchise’s new star about her Southern upbringing an experience as a student at Auburn University.

Born in Columbus, Georgia, the 26-year-old child and family therapist holds bachelor and master’s degrees from AU and currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.

After Zach Shallcross, the lead on the last season of “The Bachelor,” sent Lawson home, the network had good reason to cast Lawson as rose distributor. “She stole America’s heart on season 27 of ‘The Bachelor’ with her confidence, compassion for helping others and magnetic smile,” an ABC press release said. “Audiences saw Lawson open herself up to finding love by taking risks, all while supporting those around her. After her emotional exit, she solidified Bachelor Nation’s trust in her genuine desire to find love.”

That journey begins tonight, with 25 men looking to make a lasting impression and win her heart. Per ABC, Lawson this season will search for “a life partner who loves dogs, thrifting and a good tailgate; but, above all else, is honest, empathetic and values her for who she is. With parents who have been married over 47 years, Lawson has been instilled with the confidence of knowing what she deserves and is eager to find a lasting love matching their example.”

We caught up with Lawson to talk about her years as an Auburn fan and student, what she loves about the Plains, if she’s opposed to dating an Alabama fan and what she learned there to help her prepare for life as the Bachelorette. Read our Q&A below.

Will we hear any “War Eagles” during this season of “The Bachelorette?”

Charity Lawson: You definitely will be hearing some “War Eagles,” for sure. There might a little surprise element there, for sure, so yeah, be on the lookout for that.

Would you rather go to an Auburn football game or Auburn basketball game?

That’s so crazy because at one time Auburn basketball was peak, and we were really great. But there’s nothing more classic than an Auburn football game, and there’s nothing like being in Jordan-Hare, so definitely would have to say an Auburn football game, for sure.

Favorite place the eat in Auburn?

Wow, this is so hard. I would have to say either The Hound or Acre. Acre’s peanut butter pie…oh my gosh.

Favorite Auburn gameday tradition?

Chanting “War Eagle” as the eagle flies over. That’s my favorite.

How do you think your time at Auburn prepared your for “The Bachelor” and “Bachelorette?”

It’s a very big school. Having that social aspect definitely helped. But let’s obviously not forget about my education and why I went there. I got my undergraduate degree but also stayed for a few more years to get my master’s there. My master’s has helped me in so many ways as I navigated my time as the Bachelorette. My career was in clinical mental health counseling and so taking some of those things that I’ve learned but also what we, as Auburn men and women, can rely on is the Auburn Creed. I just apply that to my daily life. You’ll see the authenticity shine, and you’ll see that Southern charm shine through as the Bachelorette this season.

We know there is a fellow Auburn grad on this season. What can we watch out for there?

Yeah so…I think you can see potentially maybe us connect on our time at Auburn, and you might see us do an Auburn tradition. We’ll see…

I know you are originally from Georgia, but your connection to Alabama puts you in company with some iconic Bachelor and Bachelorette women like Hannah Brown and Madison Prewett. Did you watch their seasons?

Oh yes. I would say Hannah Brown is one of the most iconic Bachelorette seasons, and I like to credit that to just…us Southern women, we bring something different to the table. I love her season. And obviously, me and Maddie went to school at the same time while at Auburn. She’s great, too. So yeah, both great, incredible women. I look up to them. Definitely did tune into Hannah’s season and so hopefully we’ll see how my season fares.

Did you seek any advice from those women or anyone else who has been in your shoes as the lead?

I actually didn’t get to talk to Hannah Brown or Madi, but I did talk to a few of the other former Bachelorettes. Michelle Young, who was a couple of seasons ago, and then Rachel Recchia and Gabby Windey, and Kaitlyn Bristowe — they all reached out to me once they found out that I was going to be the next Bachelorette with an overwhelming amount of love and support and obviously some advice of how to navigate this the best way possible. We know there’s no right way to do it, but just doing what feels true to myself — they reminded me of that. And being present in the moment and not getting caught up with too much of what the outcome could be or would be.

As a fan, do you have a favorite season of “The Bachelor” or “Bachelorette?”

Favorite guy season would have to be Sean Lowe. That was an older one but a classic one. And like I said, favorite Bachelorette season has to be Hannah Brown’s, easily.

Charity, what if you meet an Alabama fan on the show? Are you open to a house divided?

Well yeah, you know what? I think I would be because I’m already from a house that’s divided. My parents are Alabama fans, and my brother went to UGA. So fall time is crazy and chaotic in our household. I would not ideally want it, but I would be open to it. It wouldn’t be necessarily a true dealbreaker. It would be very hard, but not a dealbreaker. [Laughs]

Quick follow-up, your parents are Alabama fans? What happened?!

Yeah, my dad really wanted me to go to Bama. It didn’t work out. We fell in love with Auburn.

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