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Echard told \"GMA\" in January\" it was \"a little scary\" when he realized he was in love with multiple women, because he never set out to do that, and he \"just had to navigate it to the best of [his] ability\" when it happened.

As for the type of woman he ended up with versus the one he had in mind heading into his season, Echard said he \"realized that what [he] was looking for could come in many different shapes and forms.\"

He knows how to take a joke

Echard joined the live \"After the Final Rose\" special for Young's season and poked fun at himself by reading mean tweets about his casting.

\"They found 30 women desperate enough to date this guy? Where?! #quarantinegoggles,\" one tweet read. Another read, \"​​Roses are red, violets are blue, Clayton is the Bachelor and I just puked in my mouth #ICanStillTasteIt.\"

Despite being the target, Echard said, \"that was pretty PG compared to some of the things I've read.\"

He and Michelle are still rooting for each other

In an Instagram post from December, Echard wrote a sweet message to the \"Bachelorette\" star after they'd attended the same event.

\"Michelle, it was so great seeing you last night! It's always nice catching up with you and I'm excited to continue watching your journey towards finding love!\" he wrote. \"You deserve the world and I know you'll find exactly what it is you're after in one of the 3 incredible men you have left!\"

Young also left an encouraging comment on one of Echard's Instagram posts, writing, \"Let's go Clayton!\"

Video: Clayton Echard talks being named the new 'Bachelor'

\"The Bachelor\" season 26 premieres Jan. 3 on ABC.

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