{"id":64517,"date":"2023-12-27T03:00:44","date_gmt":"2023-12-27T03:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2023\/12\/27\/the-biggest-bachelor-nation-moments-of-2023\/"},"modified":"2023-12-27T03:00:44","modified_gmt":"2023-12-27T03:00:44","slug":"the-biggest-bachelor-nation-moments-of-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2023\/12\/27\/the-biggest-bachelor-nation-moments-of-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"The Biggest Bachelor Nation Moments of 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n
\n
<\/div>
Monica Schipper\/Getty Images; Disney\/John Fleenor<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bachelor Nation<\/a> might have had its most dramatic year yet in 2023.<\/p>\n

The year kicked off with Zach Shallcross<\/strong>\u2019 Bachelor<\/em> stint. The season was full of drama, thanks in part to his finale confrontation with Gabi Elnicki<\/strong> over their fantasy suite date<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s honestly worse watching it back,\u201d Gabi said during the live finale, reliving their breakup and calling it \u201cviolating\u201d that Zach had revealed to the \u201centire nation\u201d that they had sex. After their onscreen split, Zach proposed to Kaity Biggar<\/strong>, to whom he\u2019s still engaged<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Zach and Kaity weren\u2019t the only Bachelor Nation success story of the year. Charity Lawson<\/strong> became the Bachelorette in June, and when her season came to an end in August, she was engaged<\/a> to Dotun Olubeko<\/strong>. The couple stayed strong while Charity competed on Dancing With the Stars<\/em><\/a>, and they\u2019re still together.<\/p>\n

Come September, the first-ever Golden Bachelor<\/em><\/a> season premiered with Gerry Turner<\/strong> at the helm. Bachelor Nation watched as he fell in love with three women \u2014 Theresa Nist<\/strong>, Faith Martin<\/strong> and Leslie Fhima<\/strong> \u2014 but ultimately proposed to Theresa. The couple has a Golden Wedding<\/em><\/a> special set to air early next year.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n
\"Lena<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\tRelated: <\/span>Every Bachelor Nation Engagement of 2023<\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n\t\t\tRed rose bouquets for all! Bachelor Nation couples\u2019 road to their happily ever after doesn\u2019t always look the same, but these couples found The One in 2023. The season 21 Bachelor Nick Viall may not have found his forever love on the ABC series in 2017, but he did get another try at his happy [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Bachelor in Paradise<\/em><\/a> season 9 finally premiered in September, with tons of former contestants hitting the beach. The finale premiered in December with three happy couples \u2014 Kylee Russell<\/strong> and Aven Jones<\/strong>, Eliza Isichei<\/strong> and Aaron Bryant<\/strong> and John Henry Spurlock<\/strong> and Kat Izzo<\/strong> \u2014 but they all announced their respective breakups days later.<\/p>\n

Even when the cameras weren\u2019t rolling, former leads and contestants were making jaw-dropping headlines. Keep scrolling for a full breakdown of the biggest Bachelor Nation moments of 2023:<\/p>\n

Podcast Shakeups (January)<\/h3>\n

The year kicked off with Natasha Parker<\/strong> announcing that she would no longer be part of the \u201cClick Bait\u201d podcast<\/a> \u2014 or the franchise at all. Not long after that, the Bachelor<\/em>-produced podcast stopped releasing episodes altogether. Warner Bros. ended the show and subsequently moved host Joe Amabile<\/strong> to \u201cBachelor Happy Hour\u201d with wife Serena Pitt<\/strong>, meaning Becca Kufrin<\/strong> and Michelle Young<\/strong> were out of a gig. Becca\u2019s now-husband, Thomas Jacobs<\/strong>, later slammed the show online, but Joe told Us<\/em> in July that the couples are still on good terms.<\/p>\n

Gabi Confronts Zach (March)<\/h3>\n

Season 27 of The Bachelor<\/em> may have started off slowly, but things really picked up when Zach had sex with Gabi \u2014 and then picked Kaity \u2014 after declaring earlier on that he wasn\u2019t going to be intimate with anyone on the series.<\/p>\n

Peter Weber and Kelley Flanagan Split for Good (May)<\/h3>\n
\n
\"Bachelor<\/div>
Jamie McCarthy\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Peter, the season 24 Bachelor, and Kelley, one of his contestants, dated on and off for three years after he ended his engagement to winner Hannah Ann Sluss<\/strong> in 2020. The twosome called it quits for good in 2023, with the pilot finally confirming his single status<\/a> in May. Kelley, for her part, has since started dating Ari Raptis<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Brandon Jones and Serene Russell Don\u2019t See Eye to Eye on Their Split (May)<\/h3>\n

Brandon and Serene announced their \u201cpainful\u201d breakup<\/a> in May, splitting less than one year after he proposed during the Bachelor in Paradise season 8 finale.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are deeply hurting and can only ask that there be no hate,\u201d the exes wrote in a joint social media statement. \u201cThe best path for us at this time is to try and move forward and heal from this as individuals.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n
\"bachelor-where-are-they-now\"<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\tRelated: <\/span>Former \u2018Bachelor\u2019 and \u2018Bachelorette\u2019 Leads: Where Are They Now?<\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n\t\t\tWhile some roses stand the test of time, others wilt before the Neil Lane engagement ring can be resized. The Bachelor premiered on ABC in March 2002 with Alex Michel dubbed the world\u2019s most eligible Bachelor. More than 20 women competed for his heart and one of the most successful reality TV franchises was born. [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

In October, Serene addressed the rumored infidelity surrounding their breakup. She claimed that a video surfaced that confirmed Brandon had cheated<\/a> on her prior to their split. Brandon, meanwhile, took a stand against the \u201cfalse\u201d narrative<\/a> but \u201ctook ownership\u201d for his actions.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe felt that I had cheated and wanted to make this news known,\u201d he alleged in an Instagram Story statement. \u201cFor the record, in the early days of our official breakup, I shared one dance with a woman \u2026 nothing else, just a single dance before leaving with my friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kaitlyn Bristowe and Jason Tartick Call Off Their Engagement (August)<\/h3>\n
\n
\"Kaitlyn<\/div>
Getty Images (2)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In perhaps the most jaw-dropping Bachelor Nation breakup of the year, Kaitlyn and Jason announced their \u201cheartbreaking\u201d split<\/a> after four years together with a joint Instagram statement in August.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think people assume if people break up, something bad happened. And I think that\u2019s the hardest part of this whole breakup \u2014 nothing bad happened,\u201d Kaitlyn shared during an August episode of her \u201cOff the Vine\u201d podcast. \u201cWe have both not made each other a priority. And this is what happens.\u201d<\/p>\n

The pair have no bad blood \u2014 the exes reunited<\/a> for the first time at Chris Harrison<\/strong> and Lauren Zima<\/strong>\u2019s wedding in November \u2014 but Jason has since admitted to crying more<\/a> over the breakup than anything in his life.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n
\"Feature<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\tRelated: <\/span>Status Check! Bachelor Nation Couples Who Are Still Going Strong<\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n\t\t\tSome Bachelor Nation couples hit different. The Bachelor franchise has been matchmaking since 2002. Back in 2003, Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter became the first Bachelor Nation couple to walk down the aisle. The twosome, who met while filming the first season of The Bachelorette, celebrated 19 years of marriage in December 2022. Thank You! [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cKaitlyn meant so much to me and still currently does,\u201d he shared on Chris\u2019 \u201cThe Most Dramatic Podcast Ever\u201d in December.<\/p>\n

Charity and Dotun Get Engaged (August)<\/h3>\n

The season 20 couple are still going strong after Dotun popped the question during the August finale, making Charity the first Bachelorette since Rachel Lindsay<\/strong> on season 13 in 2017 to still be with her final rose winner.<\/p>\n

Gabby Windey Finds Love With Robby Hoffman (August)<\/h3>\n
\n
\"Bachelor<\/div>
Disney\/Eric McCandless<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

During an appearance on The View<\/em>, the season 19 co-Bachelorette revealed she is in a relationship with the female<\/a> comedian. The announcement came less than one year after she ended her engagement to winner Erich Schwer<\/strong> in November 2022.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe best thing [about our relationship] is that we\u2019re both girls. I mean, I feel like we\u2019re best friends and we can talk for hours,\u201d Gabby later gushed to Us<\/em>. \u201cWe have a lot of the same views. We have similar experiences. So, it really feels like an ideal relationship where you\u2019re friends first, but also with a connection and an attraction. It doesn\u2019t get much better than that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Josh Seiter Is Alive After Death Hoax (August)<\/h3>\n

Josh \u2014 who appeared on Kaitlyn\u2019s Bachelorette<\/em> season in 2015 \u2014 made headlines in August when a since-deleted Instagram statement falsely announced his death<\/a>. The following day, Josh revealed that he was still \u201calive and well\u201d in a separate Instagram video.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n
\"Every<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\tRelated: <\/span>Every Bachelor Nation Couple That Has Tied the Knot<\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n\t\t\tBetween The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, Bachelor in Paradise and The Bachelor Winter Games, multiple couples have found true love \u2014 and a select few have made it down the aisle. On The Bachelor, a winning couple didn\u2019t get married until season 17. Sean Lowe and Catherine Giudici married in a TV wedding in 2014. However, [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cMy account was hacked for the last 24 hours. I had been trying desperately to get into it,\u201d Josh said. \u201cSomebody was playing a cruel joke and mocking my mental illness and the struggles I\u2019ve gone through with depression and suicide attempts. I am sorry for the pain they caused when they made that post.\u201d<\/p>\n

Josh\u2019s ex Monica Beverly Hillz<\/strong> (real name Monica Dejesus-Anaya) alleged to Entertainment Weekly<\/em> that \u201cthere\u2019s no way in hell\u201d his account was hacked<\/a>. Josh subsequently denied Monica\u2019s claims. (Reality TV superfans may also remember Monica from her season 5 turn on RuPaul\u2019s Drag Race<\/em>.)<\/p>\n

Weeks later, Josh announced that he had checked himself into a mental health facility<\/a> after receiving \u201chundreds of hateful messages\u201d regarding the death hoax.<\/p>\n

Clayton Echard Is Not Going to Be a Father (September)<\/h3>\n
\n
\"Bachelor<\/div>
Youtube<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Former Bachelor Clayton made headlines in September after news broke that an unnamed woman filed court documents one month prior alleging that she was pregnant with his twins<\/a>. In the docs, filed on August 1, the woman claimed she had \u201cengaged in sexual activity\u201d with Echard in May and hadn\u2019t \u201chadn\u2019t been with anyone since March of 2022.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a response to the initial filing, Clayton claimed that the case was \u201cgroundless and lacking in merit.\u201d He also alleged in a statement to Us Weekly<\/em> that he \u201cdid not have sexual intercourse\u201d with the woman. He subsequently agreed to take a paternity test.<\/p>\n

In an October Instagram video, Clayton announced to Bachelor Nation that he is not the father<\/a> of the twins. \u201cI got the good news today,\u201d he said. \u201cThe test results came back early, and they said little to no fetal DNA present. Let\u2019s go, baby!\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n
\"Katie<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\tRelated: <\/span>Bachelor Nation Couples Who Got Together Outside the Show<\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n\t\t\tWhat happens on The Bachelor, doesn\u2019t always stay on The Bachelor! While many couples have found \u2014 or lost \u2014 love on the reality TV dating franchise over the years, others have met their match within Bachelor Nation after their season ended. Katie Thurston joined the club of offcamera Bachelor Nation couples in November 2021 [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The woman subsequently claimed in a statement to Us<\/em> that Clayton was \u201clying\u201d about the results.<\/p>\n

Danielle Maltby and Michael Allio\u2019s Breakup Turns Messy (September)<\/h3>\n

After weeks of speculation, Michael confirmed his and Danielle\u2019s unplanned breakup<\/a> during an episode of Jason\u2019s \u201cTrading Secrets\u201d podcast in September.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not together anymore,\u201d he said at the time. \u201cWe both threw a lot into this relationship, and it\u2019s really awful when it doesn\u2019t work out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Danielle spoke out about the split days later, revealing it was \u201cnot a mutual decision\u201d<\/a> in an Instagram Story. Danielle further discussed the breakup on \u201cThe WoMed\u201d podcast, revealing that she was \u201cblindsided\u201d when Michael broke up with her \u201cthe day after\u201d they froze her eggs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Michael, for his part, claimed that he had previously expressed that he did not want<\/a> to have more kids. (Michael shares 7-year-old son James with his late wife, Laura.)<\/p>\n

Gerry Says \u2018I Love You\u2019 3 Times (November)<\/h3>\n
\n
\"Bachelor<\/div>
ABC\/Brian Bowen Smith<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first-ever senior Bachelor may have been older, but he wasn\u2019t much wiser than the younger Bachelors before him. While he is now happily engaged to winner Theresa, Gerry had to face the music when he said \u201cI love you\u201d to all three of his finalists: Theresa, Leslie and Faith. Runner-up Leslie subsequently put him on blast<\/a> during After the Final Rose<\/em> and in interviews that followed, claiming that Gerry promised her she was The One during their overnight date.<\/p>\n

Brayden Bowers Debuts Surprise Christina Mandrell Relationship (December)<\/h3>\n

Brayden from Charity\u2019s season revealed that he is dating Christina<\/a> from Zach\u2019s season during the Bachelor in Paradise<\/em> season 9 finale in December. After the finale aired, Christina gushed over her \u201ctruly special\u201d relationship<\/a> with Brayden.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn each other, we have a space where being unapologetically ourselves is not just accepted but celebrated!\u201d she captioned an Instagram post. \u201cSomething I never knew I was missing until I did.\u201d<\/p>\n

All 3 \u2018Bachelor in Paradise\u2019 Season 9 Couples Implode \u2026 (December)<\/h3>\n

Bachelor in Paradise<\/em> season 9 ended with three seemingly happy couples<\/a>. While Kylee and Aven left the beach in a relationship, they \u2014 much to Kylee\u2019s chagrin \u2014 did not get engaged. After the BiP<\/em> finale aired, Aven posted a photo announcing that he and Kylee were still together. One day later, however, Kylee announced on social media that she and Aven broke up<\/a> after their relationship \u201cdissolved due to multiple infidelities.\u201d Aven, for his part, apologized to Kylee in his own statement, noting that he\u2019s in an \u201cextremely low place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n
\"Bachelor<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\tRelated: <\/span>\u2018Bachelor in Paradise\u2019 Couples Who Are Still Together<\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n\t\t\tThere\u2019s something about Mexico that makes someone fall in love. While many get engaged on Bachelor in Paradise, only a handful have stayed together, gotten married and even had kids! Marcus Grodd and Lacy Faddoul were the first \u201csuccessful\u201d Bachelor in Paradise couple\u00a0after he popped the question during the 2014 finale of season 1. While [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Aaron proposed to Eliza during the BiP<\/em> season 9 finale. The duo stayed silent about the status of their relationship after the finale aired. Days later, Aaron announced that he and Eliza had called off their engagement<\/a> with an \u201camicable split.\u201d Eliza has yet to address the breakup.<\/p>\n

\n
\n