With hype growing for the upcoming season of The Bachelorette, there's no better time to think about past seasons. No matter if these cast members made it to the finale or were cut loose too early, there are some men from The Bachelorette who can attest that the journey to finding true love can feel like a rollercoaster – it’s even more so on a six-to-ten week show.
Sometimes it takes more than one chance to find the perfect partner, and some were lucky to find love off reality television. Others are still waiting for their soulmate. In the meantime, many of these ex-Bachelorette alumni remain in the public eye.
His part in Kaitlyn Bristow’s season 11 was mostly forgettable; however, Tanner Tolbert rose in Bachelor fandom because of his immediate chemistry with fellow week one contestant, Jade Roper. The two stuck together throughout the entire six weeks.
Though Tolbert struck out in his appearance on Bachelorette, he found love in Bachelor in Paradise – where he and Roper were the only couple to get engaged in the finale and cemented themselves in Bachelor’s popular alums. The pair now have three children together.
Wells Adams was a contestant on Bachelorette, but JoJo Fletcher eliminated him on their one-on-one date because he failed to extend her interest past a platonic bond. The sparks didn’t seem to fly between the two, not compared to Fletcher’s chemistry with “winner” – now spouse – Jordan Rodgers.
However, Adams became a fan favorite during his brief stint on BIP. In July 2019, he proposed to Modern Family’s Sara Hyland. After two years (due to the COVID pandemic), they finally set their wedding plans in motion (via Brides).
Many contestants felt that Becca Kufrin should have chosen Blake Horstmann to marry. However, he went onto several seasons of BIP, where he earned fan disdain for his playboy ways. Other fans are more forgiving, claiming that Horstmann wasn’t tied to anyone at the time. Fans hope that he’ll find someone to share his adventurous lifestyle with.
In January 2022, People reported that the former Bachelorette contestant and Love is Blind’s Giannina Gibelli are dating. However, neither of their social media accounts encouraged any speculation that they were still together.
Despite becoming a fan favorite and frontrunner, Jason Tartick was eliminated right before the fantasy suite dates. Becca Kufrin revealed she felt that their connection with him wasn’t as strong as her other relationships; they said goodbye that night.
Tartick is another season 14 castoff, but by a happy chance, he and former Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristow connected on an episode of her podcast, Off The Vine. The pair announced their engagement in May 2019 (via Us Weekly).
For his charming good looks and fun personality, fans were sad to see “Grocery Store” Joe Amabile go home on week 1, but he was quickly picked up for BIP.
While he was eliminated in his first season with the spinoff, he reconnected with former Bachelor contestant Kendall Long. The pair dated for two years before separating. Amabile returned for season 7 and went to the finale with Serena Pitt, where he went on bended knee. The two are still together, according to Life and Style.
Air Force Veteran Mike Johnson was eliminated in week 7, just before hometown visits. On their one-on-one date, Hannah Brown confessed she wasn’t right for him, and fans could tell that he was blindsided by her tearful goodbye.
Johnson was confident but cordial, and with his gorgeous smile and genuine personality, fans speculated (even hopefully anticipated) that he could be in the running for the next Bachelor (via Heavy Entertainment). Currently, there’s no confirmed information on his relationship status beyond 2021.
As Tyler Cameron began to explain his feelings for Hannah Brown at the finale, she had to cut him off because she knew he was leading to a proposal. Although he took her reasons for rejection in stride, it was still tough to watch his heartbreak.
Fortunately, neither seem to hold each other in deep contempt. After the show’s airing, the exes eventually “buried the hatchet” (via YouTube) and became quarantine buddies. Single again, Cameron reported to Today that he’s focusing on his career right now.
Some fans believe that former host Chris Harrison was forced to “step away” from Bachelor. In hindsight, it was definitely ill-advised to publicly defend a controversial contestant: Rachael Kirkconnell appeared “in photos attending an antebellum plantation-themed fraternity formal in 2018” (via NBC News).
Although an unpopular view, few fans believe others should have shown more grace instead of demanding for Harrison’s head in the wake of “cancel culture.” Former Bachelor Sean Lowe explained, “The cross is where grace is given (via Reddit).”
Greg Grippo had been cultivating a steady relationship with his season’s bachelorette, but their bond took a nose-dive after their hometown dates. He confessed to Katie Thurston that he loved her, but he felt his confession fell on deaf ears.
Grippo admitted, “I’ve reached my breaking point” (via YouTube). In her defense, some fans believe Thurston was caught off-guard, and he ended their relationship before she could adequately explain. Regardless, Grippo has moved on and is dating “someone new” (via The Viall Files).
During Michelle Young’s season on The Bachelorette, Joe Coleman was a quick frontrunner, as the two had mutual friends, hobbies, and even attended the same alma mater in Minnesota. It came as a shock to fans when Young told Joe that she couldn’t “be your person” (via YouTube).
The goodbye was heart-wrenching but sincere, and it left fans hoping that Joe could be the next Bachelor. Alas, Bachelor announced Clayton Echard would lead season 26 instead.
Comments
Post a Comment