ABC announced this week Charity Lawson will star on the next season of “The Bachelorette.”

“I’m the Bachelorette!” Charity says in the Instagram video. “Like, I can’t even say that without crying, screaming, but I am the next Bachelorette.”

Lawson will lead season 20 of the spinoff franchise, following co-Bachelorettes Rachel Recchia and Gabby Windey.

Who is Charity Lawson?

A 26-year-old child and family therapist from Columbus, Ga. She currently lives in Charlotte, N.C. She appeared as a contestant during the 27th season of “The Bachelor.”

Here is what ABC shared about Lawson in her official “Bachelor” contestant bio:

“It’s easy to see what makes Charity such a great catch! With a smile that lights up the room, a great career and a sweet personality to match, Charity is the total package! The Georgia beauty takes her name as a call to love and care for people and has built her life on that purpose. Charity is a mental health therapist and is extremely passionate about helping people live their best lives. Now, she is ready to receive the love she gives to so many others! Charity hopes her future husband is honest, loyal and shares similar morals. She says she is really excited to meet Zach and thinks the two of them could be a perfect match on paper. Time will tell if they’re also a perfect match in person!”

The ABC bio also shared three “fun facts” about Lawson:

• Charity’s all-time favorite movie is “The Notebook.”
• Charity wants to move to Walt Disney World one day.
• Charity throws a mean axe.

Her parents are David and Vickie. Her brother is Nehemiah

What is her Alabama connection?

Lawson holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Auburn University.

After receiving her master’s degree on the Plains, Lawson posted a graduate portrait on Instagram and wrote, “The past 6 years at Auburn, has been an experience of a lifetime, one that I don’t take for granted. I’ve been challenged, pushed and molded into the woman I am today. Looking back on my journey, I’ve met the most incredible people, professors, created the BEST memories, but most importantly, unconsciously, I walked right into my calling.”

She finished with a graduate degree in clinical mental health counseling. “The joy that comes with obtaining a degree the second time around is so much sweeter when you gain confirmation that it is exactly one of the things God has called you to do,” she wrote. “The last two years has challenged me every single day in the areas of personal growth, but also in my professional identity as a therapist. I get the great opportunity as a therapist to love people as Jesus loved. This field of work is so beautiful, and I’m passionate about always advocating for mental health in today’s society.”

And yes, she also dropped a “War Eagle!”

Lawson marks the first Auburn connection since Madison Prewett, a foster parent recruiter and AU graduate (and oldest daughter of Auburn’s director of basketball operations, Chad Prewett), who appeared during season 24 with Bachelor Peter Weber. She’s the first Alabama-connected lead in the franchise since Tuscaloosa’s Hannah Brown starred in season 15 of “The Bachelorette.”

What happened on ‘The Bachelor?’

Zach Shallcross, the current lead on season 27 of “The Bachelor,” sent Lawson home after hometown dates.

“She stole America’s heart on season 27 of ‘The Bachelor’ with her confidence, compassion for helping others and magnetic smile,” the ABC press release says. “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.”

Lawson and Shallcross made an early connection on ABC’s popular reality dating series, as she received a rose during the season premiere. “I am so ready for love,” she said during the first episode. “I want to find my partner. I want to be engaged. I want to start a life with that person. I want someone who treats me good. And definitely someone who can make me laugh.

“I am very eager to get married. I’m confident in what it is that I want, and I am excited for what’s to come.”

After visiting her hometown in Columbus, Ga., and meeting her family, the time came for the rose ceremony. Upon handing out the first two stems to Ariel and Gabi, it came down to Lawson and Kaity. Shallcross took a minute, glanced back and forth between the woman and ultimately selected Gabi. It was a tearful goodbye, but later on the “Women Tell All” episode, Lawson had positive things to say about her time with Shallcross.

“He validated me,” Lawson said. “And fortunately, that’s what I needed in a relationship, especially the one I was coming out of before coming here. “He saw me for me.” She also noted she felt somewhat blindsided by the breakup after their successful hometown date, and she told her family she was heartbroken. But she said they knew she would learn from the experience and that good things were in store.

What is she looking for as ‘The Bachelorette?’

From ABC: “As the Bachelorette, Lawson is searching 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.”

When will ‘The Bachelorette’ premiere?

ABC has not announced a premiere date for season 20 of “The Bachelorette,” only that the show will air “this summer.” So stay tuned.

What other Alabama connections have we seen on ‘The Bachelor’?

From villainous contestants to lovable leads, Alabama personalities have dominated certain seasons of the long-running reality show, giving the state some well-earned airtime that keeps viewers coming back for more. We ran through Alabama’s biggest connections to “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette,” which turned 20 last year.

Lawson marks the first Auburn connection since Madison Prewett, a foster parent recruiter and AU graduate (and oldest daughter of Auburn’s director of basketball operations, Chad Prewett), who appeared during season 24 with Bachelor Peter Weber. She’s the first Alabama-connected lead in the franchise since Tuscaloosa’s Hannah Brown starred in season 15 of “The Bachelorette.” Brown first appeared as a contestant during Colton Underwood’s season as Bachelor. The former Miss Alabama USA, went home during week seven, officially finishing seventh in her bid for Bachelor Colton Underwood’s heart. Brown proved a fan favorite, bringing needed levity to the dating series and eventually influencing ABC producers to keep her on as a face of the franchise.

Brown ultimately chose Jed Wyatt, the country singer from Nashville, but the engagement ended abruptly after it emerged that he had been in a relationship with another woman prior to and during his stint on the show. Other contestants from Brown’s season included Tyler Cameron, Luke Parker, Mike Johnson, John Paul Jones and future “Bachelor” lead Peter Weber.

READ: 15 times Alabama took over ‘The Bachelor’ and ‘The Bachelorette’