Lawson and her new partner share their relationship secrets before she takes part in ‘DWTS’!
Charity Lawson from ‘The Bachelorette’ and her fiancé, Dotun Olubeko, have learned a lot about each other since getting engaged on the reality show. Fans were excited to see Dotun propose to Charity on the show’s finale in Fiji on August 21. He asked, “Charity Lawson, will you make this fairytale come true?” She said yes with tears, and she had previously sent Joey Graziadei, who came in second, home. (He was later chosen as the new Bachelor for 2024.)
Charity said to Dotun, who moved to America from Nigeria, “I want us to have a future together that lasts forever. I see you as my husband.”
But before that, she’s appearing on another ABC reality show! In the “After the Final Rose” part of the Season 20 finale, Dotun, aged 31, informed Charity, aged 27, that she had been selected as one of the participants for the upcoming Season 32 of Dancing with the Stars.
Two days later, the joyful pair had a private conversation with Parade to talk about their plans for the wedding, Charity’s role on DWTS, where they’ll live, and learning about each other’s unique habits.
What have Dotun and Charity been up to since The Bachelorette ended? Dotun shared with Parade, “It’s been wonderful. One of the initial things we did was take an Uber to visit our families after the AFR [live recording], and ever since, we’ve been having dinners and doing regular activities, trying to add that part to our lives. We’ve laid a strong base, and now we’re focusing on the small things, which is really exciting.”
Charity also said, “I’ll be completely honest, it’s incredibly overwhelming, but in a really good and beautiful way. We’ve been waiting for this moment of being open and everyone knowing about us as a couple. Like Dotun mentioned, we’re now cherishing the little things in life that make up the true essence of life itself.”
What does Dotun really like about Charity? Dotun, the good-looking integrative medicine expert, shared with Parade, “We’ve all come to adore the Charity we’ve seen on TV, but there’s another side to her that’s incredibly fun. It’s tough to show that on TV during serious moments, but we’ve been able to have a silly and playful time since then. Her energy is so cheerful, and I’m similar in that way. It’s been a joy and privilege, and I feel more and more in sync with her each day.”
What have they discovered about each other since the cameras stopped? Charity talked about Dotun, saying, “In terms of habits, he follows a really healthy diet, very clean. I’m picking up a lot from him in that area. I could use some guidance when it comes to food.”
Charity mentioned that living together has its challenges, as Dotun prefers a very cold temperature, while she dislikes being cold. They need to find a compromise. However, they’re always enjoying life and having fun, which is crucial.
Dotun, who is very tall at 6’7″, shared a cute quirk about Charity. When she’s under the sheets, she does this adorable thing where she taps her feet based on her emotions, whether it’s excitement or worry. He finds it funny and loves how expressive she is in many ways.
Are they living together? “No, not right now,” Charity said to Parade. “Since we’ve been hidden during The Bachelorette airing, we haven’t moved in together. We’ll be in Los Angeles for a few months because of Dancing with the Stars. I’m thankful that he can work remotely and be with me during this new journey.
After that, we’ll keep our next move private. We might return to New York (where Dotun lived) or consider other options. We’ll decide.”
What about their wedding plans? Dotun said, “We’re thinking about it… We want something smaller, but we’re also considering a Nigerian wedding. We both like the idea of having two weddings – a big, lively one in Nigeria, and a more personal one here in the US. Planning a wedding is a big task, and for now, we’re just enjoying normal life… We don’t want a long engagement, though. So, expect the wedding to happen not too far away.”
Why did Charity choose to join DWTS? This coming fall, Charity will join other stars from Bachelor Nation like Gabby Windey, Hannah Brown, Sean Lowe, and Melissa Rycroft in competing on the popular dance show.
Charity explained to Parade, “I used to watch the show when I was younger. While I’m not a trained dancer, I did competitive cheerleading, so I have a bit of experience. I never imagined I’d get this chance, so why not take it? I’m seeing it as a fun way to learn, without stressing too much. It’s meant to be enjoyable. I know it’ll be tough to learn new skills, but I’m excited about that. My body will be in the best shape ever, so I’m grateful for that.” She also mentioned that Dotun is excited too.
How does Charity plan to do well on DWTS? Former cheerleader Charity wants to focus on all aspects, like mental, physical, and emotional preparation for dancing. She doesn’t want to put too much pressure on herself, aiming to keep it enjoyable. While winning the mirror ball trophy would be nice, her main goal is to have fun.
How will Dotun support Charity during her DWTS journey? Dotun intends to provide physical support with massages and loud cheering from the audience. He’ll also have dinner ready for her after practice. He’s excited about backing her in this journey and believes she deserves success on the show.
How will they avoid the mistakes of other Bachelor Nation couples who break up? Charity mentioned that it’s easy to get caught up in past relationships with others, but she and Dotun understand that every relationship is unique. They prioritize their relationship and have worked on building a strong foundation. They have tools to keep their relationship healthy and won’t let challenges get in their way. If things get tough, they know how to step back and focus on the bigger picture.
How will Dotun help Charity during DWTS? He mentioned, “I’ll at least give her back rubs, all sorts of rubs, definitely! But mainly, I’ll be shouting and cheering for her in the audience during the live shows. I’ll also have dinner ready when she comes back home from practice. I’m really excited to support her on this journey. She truly deserves it… we’re hoping to see her on top at the end of the season.”
How will they avoid problems like other Bachelor couples who break up? Charity told Parade, “We often get too focused on past experiences and other people’s relationships. It’s important to remember that everyone is unique. TV viewers only see a part of our relationship, so I’m grateful for that perspective. Deep down, we know what our relationship is like. We’ve put in a lot of effort and built a strong foundation, and we’re continuing to do so. Our relationship is our top priority, and we won’t let anything come between us. Of course, challenges will come up – that’s life. But if things ever get tough, I know how to step back and see the bigger picture. We’ve done well so far, and we’ll keep working on it. We have the tools to keep our relationship healthy and successful.”