Fans of the Bachelor have a bizarre relationship with its stars. In a way, they signed up to share glimpses of their lives with fans, and part of the appeal is the insight into both the extravagant and mundane. Plucked from obscurity, Bachelor Nation falls for the characters throughout their journeys on multiple shows. We continue the journey with them on social media, as they provide us with everything from memes to recipes.
However, an undercurrent of intensity comes along with signing up to become a star in Bachelor Nation. Often fans and others infringe on the privacy of these former contestants. They, unlike A-list celebrities, do not have the same resources to protect themselves when a scandal arises. Often the line between a private matter and fodder for gossip becomes blurry— with varying consequences.
At times, other members of Bachelor Nation come to the defense of the party in question, and others are left to fend for themselves. Some Bachelor accounts, in an attempt for a scoop or exclusive, often run with incomplete stories with little to no consequence for misrepresenting the truth.
Being a star in Bachelor Nation is not for the faint at heart. They are wedged between the notoriety of fame and the accessibility of any regular person navigating life online. I never saw the accusations against Clayton as salacious gossip. To me, his innocence was clear from the beginning. Instead, I saw the frustration and downsides of signing up to have your life documented for public consumption. I am glad that he is in a solid relationship that can withstand such rumors. Many Bachelor couples have imploded for less.
Since no one else is mentioning it, this story is eerily similar to the allegations that Matt James faced a little over a year ago, and the coverage is vastly different. A year later, Rachael and Matt were still being roped into this story that had nothing to do with them.
Every Bachelor Nation star isn’t for everyone. While the show’s drama is fair game, I personally don’t take joy in seeing someone’s name and reputation slandered unjustly. I still think back to Jenna’s Chatty Broads interview and how much those rumors affected her for years, or Jade’s interview detailing how the misogyny from Bachelor Nation’s gossip who can’t be canceled damaged her mentally and emotionally. Clayton and Susie handled this situation with far more care and grace than the accuser deserved, so I hope that others will follow their lead moving forward.
This still speaks to a more significant trend of toxicity in Bachelor Nation. As seen with Connor and many others in recent weeks, the comments affect the mental health of those who sign up for the show, and they are offered little to no protection. As mentioned, fans have a false sense of comfort and intimacy. Still, it’s good to remember that we only see a heavily edited television show and a selectively curated social media presence.
I love good Bachelor drama as much as the next person—I run multiple accounts dedicated to this franchise— but at the end of the day, it’s important to realize that online behavior can damage someone’s real life, and likes and engagement are never worth damaging someone’s reputation.