If you’ve spent any time on Bachelor Nation Reddit or kept up with the podcasting world lately, you know the name Rachel Lindsay hasn’t just been tied to The Bachelorette legacy. It’s been tied to a pretty heavy, public, and frankly expensive divorce. For years, she was one half of the franchise’s biggest success stories with Bryan Abasolo. But that era is officially over.
So, who is Rachel Lindsay dating?
As of early 2026, Rachel has moved on from the "just friends" rumors and is officially romantically linked to country music singer Willie Jones. If the name sounds familiar, it’s probably because you’ve seen him on The X Factor or heard his vocals on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album. He’s a rising star in the "country-trap" scene, and honestly, the two of them together makes a lot of sense when you look at their shared energy.
The Confirmation: From Jingle Ball to Official Status
Rumors first started swirling late in 2024. They were spotted at the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball in Los Angeles, sitting close in the Patrón Lounge and dancing when T-Pain took the stage. For a while, Rachel played it cool. On her podcast Higher Learning with Van Lathan, she’d mention going places with "a friend," while Van—who clearly knew the tea—would try to nudge her into saying more.
She eventually confirmed the relationship in early 2025 after they were photographed together at an art benefit. A source close to the couple told Page Six that while they are definitely dating and Rachel is "the happiest she’s been in a long time," she isn't rushing into anything. Given that she just spent a year in a legal battlefield, that’s probably a smart move.
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Who is Willie Jones?
Willie isn't just "some guy." He’s a 31-year-old artist from Shreveport, Louisiana. He’s been in the industry for a minute—he was a standout on season two of The X Factor back in 2012 when he was just 17. Lately, his career has exploded. He was featured on the track "Just for Fun" on Beyoncé's massive country project, which basically gave him the ultimate seal of approval in the music world.
The Ghost of Divorces Past: Bryan Abasolo
You can’t really talk about who Rachel is dating now without acknowledging the absolute mess she had to clean up first. Rachel and Bryan Abasolo were married for over four years. They were the couple that everyone pointed to and said, "See? The show works!"
Then, in January 2024, Bryan filed for divorce. It wasn't just a "we grew apart" situation. It got ugly. Fast.
- The Text Message: Rachel claimed she found out he filed for divorce via a text message just 30 minutes after they had a conversation in their kitchen.
- The Spousal Support: Bryan, a chiropractor, requested spousal support, claiming he only made about $16,000 a year. Rachel fought this hard, accusing him of inflating his expenses.
- The Final Payout: The divorce was finalized in early January 2025. Rachel had to pay Bryan a lump sum equalization payment of roughly $500,000. She also had to pay him about $13,000 a month in temporary support leading up to the settlement.
Rachel hasn't been shy about how much this affected her. She’s called the experience "financially restrictive" and admitted it changed her "timeline" for things she wanted to do—likely a reference to her plans for starting a family, which she had been open about wanting just months before the split.
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Learning the Hard Way: The No-Prenup Regret
One of the most relatable (and painful) parts of Rachel’s journey has been her transparency about not having a prenuptial agreement. "I wouldn't get married without a prenup again," she said on her podcast. She’s essentially a cautionary tale for high-earning women everywhere.
She walked away with the North Hollywood home and her Porsche Macan, but losing half a million dollars to an ex-husband she reportedly felt "emasculated" himself during the proceedings is a tough pill to swallow. She told Whoopi Goldberg on The View that she saw red flags even before the wedding but had that "I can fix him" mentality. We've all been there.
Why This New Relationship Feels Different
With Willie Jones, things seem... lighter.
Rachel mentioned on "The Arch Effect" podcast that she actually loves dating. She loves the "first date adventure." But she also admitted it was terrifying to imagine being intimate with someone new after being with one person for so long. She recalled a date telling her he loves "going into people's worlds," and that perspective helped her shift from fear to excitement.
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Willie is younger (there’s about an 8-year age gap), he’s in a completely different industry, and he seems to match her "hustle" without the jealousy that she claimed plagued her marriage. According to Rachel, Bryan was often jealous of her success and the "fame" that came with her career in sports and entertainment. Willie, being a performer himself, likely understands that spotlight much better.
What's Next for Rachel?
Rachel is currently focused on rebuilding. She’s still a powerhouse in the media world, hosting Higher Learning and appearing as a correspondent for various outlets. She’s also been outspoken about her distance from The Bachelor franchise, basically saying she’s "done" with finding love on TV.
If you’re looking for actionable takeaways from Rachel’s saga, here they are:
- Protect your peace (and your wallet): If you’re the primary breadwinner, a prenup isn't a lack of trust; it's a business decision.
- Trust the red flags: If you feel like you have to "fix" someone before you even get to the altar, you're already in trouble.
- Healing isn't linear: It took Rachel a full year of legal stress to get to a place where she felt "back" to her old self.
Keep an eye on her Instagram and Willie’s tour dates. While they aren't flooding the feed with couple photos every day, the occasional tag or "hype" post shows they are going strong. Rachel is finally living for herself again, and honestly, we love to see it.
Actionable Insight: If you’re navigating a post-divorce dating scene like Rachel, prioritize "world-hopping." Instead of looking for a replacement for what you lost, look for someone whose "world" is entirely new and exciting to you. It lowers the pressure and turns the anxiety of dating into a genuine adventure.