'The Bachelorette' season 12 news: JoJo Fletcher confirmed as the 2016 'Bachelorette'

After being turned down by Ben Higgins in Season 28 of "The Bachelor," it is confirmed that JoJo Fletcher is this year's "Bachelorette." The surprising announcement was made after Monday night's live airing of "After the Final Rose," which followed the finale of "The Bachelor."

Fletcher has been a frontrunner in the reality show, hence fans believed she will win Higgins' heart. However, fans were shocked when Higgins got down on one knee and proposed to Lauren on the three-hour finale.

Many fans were surprised and upset with his choice, but Higgins decided he loved Lauren more than Fletcher. People were not thrilled since Fletcher was a fan-favorite all throughout season, but it turned out as a blessing in disguise when she was announced as the "Bachelorette."

Twenty-five-year-old Fletcher has Filipino and Iranian roots, leading people to believe that she was chosen by ABC as an answer to negative feedback they have been receiving due to the show's lack of diversity. "My mom is Persian, and my Dad was born and raised in Tennessee. I'm proud of my mother's background despite what social opinions are. It's important for me to stand up to people stereotyping Iranians," Fletcher wrote in her bio for Season 28 of "The Bachelor."

Fletcher, who is also a real estate developer, was surprised to have been chosen as the "Bachelorette" since it was rumored that Caila Quinn will take the spot, reports say.

Back in January, former ABC Entertainment Group president Paul Lee disclosed the possibility of having a non-Caucasian Bachelor or Bachelorette.

"It's crazy," she told the audience, after being dumped and confirmed as the newest "Bachelorette" both at the same night. "I'm so excited," she added.

Season 12 of "The Bachelorette" is set to come to television screens this coming May 23.