Hannah Brown Named Bachelorette — and Bachelor Nation Has Mixed Reactions

Hannah Brown is Bachelor Nation’s newest Bachelorette — and Bachelor Nation has a mixed response.

During the Bachelor finale on Tuesday evening, Chris Harrison revealed that Brown, 24, is the newest leading lady of the ABC reality franchise.

“I feel all the emotions, but honestly I’m just really grateful for this opportunity,” the Alabama native said of being the Bachelorette.

RELATED: The Bachelor‘s Colton Underwood on Engagement Plans with Cassie: ‘She Will Have a Ring One Day’

Since finding out three weeks ago, Brown, who competed on Colton Underwood’s season, said that her “family has been really supportive of me and is really happy.”

“They have made me who I am and they trust me and love me and ultimately want me to have love too,” she shared.

• Watch the full episode of People Cover Story: The Bachelor’s Colton Underwood and Cassie Randolph, streaming now on PeopleTV.com, or download the PeopleTV app on your favorite device.

After Harrison made the big announcement, viewers expressed their (differing) opinions about the new Bachelorette star on social media.

RELATED: Colton Underwood Reveals Why He Broke Up with Tayshia and Hannah G.: ‘I Had to Fight for Cassie’

Although Brown didn’t get her happily ever after with Colton Underwood, who is now happy and “so in love!” with Cassie Randolph, she is hopeful of finding a second chance at love on the reality series.

• For more on Cassie and Colton, pick up this week’s issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday

“It didn’t happy for me my first time around, but I do believe that it can happen. I’m so grateful and honored that people saw my heart …. And hopefully somebody will share their heart with me,” said Brown, who said of falling in love, “I’m hopeful for it.”

The Bachelorette premieres May 13 on ABC.