While 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’s most eligible Bachelor. More than 20 women competed for his heart and one of the most successful reality TV franchises was born. The following year, The Bachelorette debuted.
Since the show’s initial premiere in 2002, 47 men and women have been named the Bachelor or Bachelorette. Brad Womack remains the only star to lead the series more than once, but in 2020, the reality series shocked viewers with an epic twist as Tayshia Adams was called in to replace Clare Crawley during season 16 of The Bachelorette.
Us Weekly confirmed at the time that producers were left “scrambling” after the hairstylist quickly fell head over heels for contestant Dale Moss. Less than two weeks into filming, the duo left as an engaged couple, leaving Tayshia to carry on with the remaining suitors. (The former phlebotomist accepted Zac Clark‘s proposal at the end of the season, but the pair called it quits in November 2021.)
Following her whirlwind engagement to the South Dakota native, Clare defended the speed of their relationship. “My question would be to the people that are saying that — to the people that question it — what exactly is the formula for falling in love?” she told Us exclusively in October 2020. “Is there one way to do it? Is there one example of this is how it’s done?”
She continued at the time: “How people fall in love and the amount of time that it happens or what the process is [changes]. It’s not for anybody to really decide if there is a cookie cutter for that.”
Though the pair seemed to be all in, they split in January 2021. After briefly reuniting, the reality stars broke up for good later that year.
“They have different visions and wedding planning wasn’t happening which made Clare really upset. … They will still support each other and have love for each other no matter what,” a source exclusively revealed in September 2021.
While the Bachelor Winter Games alum’s season was packed with drama, season 17 star Katie Thurston upped the ante. Blake Moynes returned to the series after previously vying for Clare and Tayshia’s hearts, crashing Katie’s journey halfway through the season. He eventually won her affection, getting down on one knee during the August 2021 finale.
“I think everyone can agree that this is exactly who I was supposed to be with,” the Washington native noted during the After the Final Rose recap. “He fought to be here for me and chose to stay even when I’m telling him to his face that I considered leaving. That he was confident enough to hold both of us till the end, I’m just so lucky. I love him so much.”
Two months after their engagement aired, the pair announced their split, shortly after Katie exclusively told Us that she and the Canadian were “winging it” while dating long-distance. By November 2021, the Bachelor alum confirmed fans’ suspicions that she moved on with John Hersey, who she sent home during the second episode of her season.
Scroll through for an update on every Bachelor and Bachelorette lead: