SEASON PREMIERE

FAN FAVORITE AND SOUTHERN SWEETHEART JOJO FLETCHER BEGINS THE SEARCH FOR HER PRINCE CHARMING ON ABC'S HIT ROMANCE REALITY SERIES 'THE BACHELORETTE,' PREMIERING FOR ITS 12TH SEASON, MONDAY, MAY 23, ON ABC

Former Bachelorettes Kaitlyn Bristowe, Desiree Hartsock Siegfried and Ali Fedotowsky Offer Their Support and Advice

This Season's Highlights Include Performances by R&B Chartbusters All-4-One and Popular Country Singers Dan + Shay, Appearances by ESPN's 'SportsNation' Hosts Max Kellerman and Marcellus Wiley and Romantic Excursions to Uruguay and Argentina

Successful and stunning real estate developer JoJo Fletcher, 25, gets a second chance at her happily-ever-after, choosing from twenty-six handsome bachelors. After being devastated last season by a shocking rejection from Bachelor Ben Higgins, who confessed his love to both her and Lauren Bushnell, the Texan beauty is ready to leave that heartbreak behind and write her very own love story as the Bachelorette. JoJo will embark on her own journey to find her soul mate when she stars in the 12th edition of ABC's hit romance reality series, "The Bachelorette," which will premiere at a special time MONDAY, MAY 23 (9:01-11:00 p.m. EDT), on the ABC Television Network.

Editors' note: "The Bachelorette" will return to its regular time slot on Monday, May 30 (8:00-10:01 p.m. EDT).

In "Episode 1201," a long, exciting night awaits JoJo, but first, a trio of former Bachelorettes: Kaitlyn Bristowe, Desiree Hartsock Siegfried and Ali Fedotowsky, return to offer some practical advice on how Jo Jo should handle the jitters, drama and emotional pitfalls as she searches for her future husband. They warn her that there is a big difference between red hot chemistry and love. A nervous but beaming Bachelorette is blown away by the lengths some of the bachelors go to create a memorable first meeting. One southern gentleman uses his guitar to charm JoJo with a song he wrote for her. A DJ brings a classic R&B group, All-4-One, to serenade her. One shy man shows off his Scottish heritage - and legs - by wearing a kilt. But one bachelor really stands out by riding in on a unicorn, harkening back to JoJo's own entrance on "The Bachelor."

The men continue to try and dazzle the Bachelorette during their one-on-one time. One bachelor steals her away and attempts to wow her with some push-ups. Some guys are so overwhelmed that they get off to an awkward start: One man asks for a kiss too soon and another has such an immediate attraction to Jojo, it leads to the first kiss of the season. The pressure mounts as Chris Harrison brings out the first impression rose, leading to some drunken antics by three inebriated men. JoJo wonders if some of these guys are here to meet her or just party. However, she does find a bachelor who deserves the first impression rose and he accepts it quite happily as his jealous contemporaries look on.

But it wouldn't be a first rose ceremony without a surprise. An unexpected visitor from the past arrives and pulls the shocked Bachelorette aside, as the other men wonder if they have new competition for JoJo's heart. After the night is over, 20 men remain to try and become the love of JoJo's life.

A list of bachelors will be released at a later date.

Romantic and adventurous dates will reach new heights this season, testing the men's perseverance in pursuing their romantic objective, along with fun, exciting and exotic dates that will elicit real and raw passions. An action-packed schedule in California begins with an escapade that takes JoJo and 10 lucky men to a firefighting training facility where they are put through boot camp-like challenges. Another exploit will find one suitor joining the Bachelorette in San Francisco for a romantic picnic by the Golden Gate Bridge. Six excited bachelors are invited to the set of ESPN's popular "SportsNation," where hosts Max Kellerman and Marcellus Wiley promise to help JoJo find the perfect guy. In one of the wildest group dates, 12 unsuspecting guys are asked to share their sexual experiences in front of JoJo and a live audience. The remaining men travel to Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where one fortunate man gets an unusual date with JoJo, sledding through the woods to a hot tub and then being entertained by country music duo Dan + Shay. A group of men enjoy a dream date at Pittsburgh's famed Heinz Field for a day of football with some familiar faces.

An excited Bachelorette and her remaining suitors travel to Punta del Este, Uruguay, to begin the international leg of their journey. JoJo whisks one bachelor to Isla de Lobos, an island which is inhabited by thousands of seals, and the duo swims among them. Then it is a short jump to the beautiful and historic capitol of Argentina: Buenos Aires. JoJo and one man show off their moves in the sexy Fuerza Bruta stage production. Leaving the bustle of Buenos Aires behind, the group travels to the Argentinian countryside, including a day steeped in gaucho culture. However, the Bachelorette will need to make some of her most important decisions before traveling back to the U.S. for hometown dates. Finally, JoJo and the last three men head to a secret exotic location where she will find out what the future holds for her.

As in the past, men will continue to be eliminated each week, but if at any point a man should decide that he's no longer interested in the Bachelorette, he can reject her invitation to continue dating. Some lucky men will meet her family, and she will visit their hometowns for a slice of their lives in an effort to determine the man with whom she is most compatible.

Hosted by Chris Harrison, "The Bachelorette" is a production of Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television. Mike Fleiss, Elan Gale, Bennett Graebner, Peter J. Scalettar and Nicole Woods are the executive producers. "The Bachelorette" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 stereo surround sound. A parental guideline will be assigned closer to the airdate.