Trista Sutter was reportedly filming “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” when her husband, Ryan Sutter, was posting cryptic messages about her whereabouts.
Fans have been concerned about the ”Bachelorette” alum’s public absence over the last few months due to Ryan’s various posts. However, according to a new report published by TMZ on Tuesday, Trista was never “missing” – just filming Season 3 of the Fox reality show.
The outlet also reported that former “Bachelorette” fan favorite Ali Manno will be joining Trista on the upcoming season.
Fox does not comment on casting rumors prior to the official announcement. A rep for Trista did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
A premiere date for the third installment of the intense series has yet to be announced.
The show puts a group of celebrities to the test by having them train with an elite team of ex-Special Forces operatives and conduct a series of hardcore challenges. Former contestants over the past two seasons have included JoJo Siwa, Tyler Cameron, Jamie Lynn Spears and Tom Sandoval.
Trista, 51, has yet to weigh in on the new rumors. However, if true, some of the statements she and Ryan, 49, released over the last month could make more sense.
“An opportunity for perspective and personal growth presented itself and with the unconditional support of my family and friends, I chose myself and betterment, knowing that my stay-at-home-mom job and my kids end-of-the-school-year needs were in the best, most capable hands,” Trista wrote in her return post to Instagram on May 25.
Trista explained that her husband had simply “decided to share his love for me in messages that would find me in my travels” like a “digital diary,” but it resulted in people thinking they were “cryptic/confusing/attention-seeking/dramatic” messages.
“To me, they gave me exactly what my Words of Affirmation love language needed to get me through some serious self doubt and fear…and that’s all that matters. He doesn’t owe anyone any explanation or require permission to post what he wants to post and share what he wants to share. ,” she continued.
Ryan sent Bachelor Nation in a frenzy last month after he posted a vague caption about Trista not being with him and their two children to celebrate Mother’s Day on May 12.
“Sometimes you have to go away so they know you’ll come back, that your love is not limited by distance or difficulty or time. Sometimes you have to do what you sometimes have to do. We’re proud of you mama pajama for everything you do for us, near or far, Happy Mother’s Day!!!” he wrote in part.
Just a few days later, Ryan shared a black-and-white selfie, stating in the caption that he “really wish[ed]“ he could talk to Trista.
“I’d really like to hear your voice – just for a minute. So many times I’ve called without much to say, not realizing how lucky I was or how much I’d miss the opportunity if it were gone. I want to know how you’re doing. I want to support and encourage and cheer you on. I want to be there for you. But I can’t. And that’s ok cause I know you need this time – time to discover yourself again,” he captioned the post on May 17.
After the post received a plethora of comments from concerned fans, Ryan clarified that his wife was “fine” and their marriage is “great.”
“Trista is at a place in life where she is searching a bit. An opportunity presented itself that may help her on that quest. With her family’s support, she has taken it. Part of that process means that she is temporarily inaccessible to us,” he shared via Instagram on May 18.
Trista eventually returned to Instagram on May 25 when she shared photos from a family vacation to Mexico. The following day, Ryan expressed how he is “more grateful, more sympathetic, more appreciative” for her following her “absence.”
The reality TV show couple later explained that they were not trying to be “malicious or misguided or mean” with the messages.
To this day, Trista and Ryan remain the longest-running Bachelor Nation couple in franchise history. They tied the knot in 2003 after finding love on Season 1 of “The Bachelorette.”
