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, more than 50 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
Tayshia accepted Zac Clark‘s proposal at the end of the season, but the pair called it quits in November 2021. Clare and Dale, meanwhile, briefly split in January 2021 before ending their engagement for good in September of that year.
After more than 20 years on air, Tayshia and Clare’s messy splits aren’t the only twists that have surprised fans. Scroll down for an update on where every Bachelor and Bachelorette lead are today:
Alex Michel
Alex has kept a low-profile since starring as the very first Bachelor in 2002. After giving his final rose to Amanda Marsh in the finale — and opting not to propose — the pair went their separate ways in 2003 after 10 months of dating. He currently resides in Washington, D.C. and works as a media industry executive. Amanda, who is engaged to her longtime love Chris, told Us exclusively in July 2020 that Alex is married with kids.
Aaron Buerge
After popping the question to Helene Eksterowicz during the season 2 finale of The Bachelor in 2002, the twosome called it quits weeks after the last episode aired. Nearly seven years later, Aaron married Angye McIntosh in August 2009. They share a daughter named Aven.
“My wife Angye and our two younger daughters live in Springfield, Missouri. Our oldest daughter lives in Kansas City. This has definitely been a busy year for us!” Aaron told Us exclusively. “We just finished building our home and merged our family owned bank with Legacy Bank and Trust here in Springfield. We have been incredibly blessed. I continue to remain out of the ‘spotlight’ and continue to focus on my career and family life. I appreciate and cherish the memories I have from my days on The Bachelor. Subsequently, I have had the opportunity to take part in some things I wouldn’t have gotten to do otherwise.”
Andrew Firestone
Andrew got down on one knee during the season 3 finale of The Bachelor in 2003 and proposed to Jen Schefft. The pair split several months after the finale aired and Andrew went on to marry Ivana Bozilovic in 2008. The couple share three kids. More than a decade after his season aired, the former ABC star told Us Weekly exclusively that he’s never been happier. “All is good here. Ivana and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary this past summer. Somehow she is still putting up with me! All the kiddo's are doing great, Brooks, Anja and Shane keep us busy running around to soccer/ballet/gymnastics/music/etc!” he explained. “Work is going really well and the company I co-founded, StonePark Capital, is completing construction on our 5th hotel in San Luis Obispo, California, to open in January of 2019.”
He added: “I have bit more grey hair, I work harder for my bikini body, my wife and kids started a rumor that I snore at night ... but I don't think I have been happier in my life.”
Bob Guiney
After appearing on season 1 of The Bachelorette in 2003, Bob went to star as the fourth Bachelor later that year. While he gave Estella Gardinier a promise ring during the finale, they broke up shortly after the show aired. Months later, Bob married All My Children actress Rebecca Budig. After six years of marriage, however, the duo called it quits in 2010. He tied the knot again in November 2016 with Jessica Canyon. The couple welcomed a baby boy named Grayson in December 2018, followed by son Blake in July 2021.
“I’m living in Seattle with my wife and new son Grayson, who is taking up all my time these days, which I love!” Bob tells Us exclusively. “I still do ton of hosting for different live events and I go back and forth to New York twice a month to be on the Today show. I love it – they’ve very supportive of me and I love how much they make so fun of me. Life is gong very well. Thanks to the show, I’ve had such amazing opportunities come my way.”
Jesse Palmer
After the former football pro decided not to propose to Jessica Bowlin during the season 5 finale of The Bachelor in 2004, the pair decided to continue to date. A few months later, however, they split. Jesse, the host of The Bachelor (starting in 2022) and Holiday Baking Championship, started dating model Emely Fardo in 2017. The couple tied the knot in June 2020 and welcomed their first child, daughter Ella Reine, in January 2024.
Byron Velvick
Byron gave his final rose to Mary Delgado during season 6 of The Bachelor in 2004. Five years after the pair got engaged during the finale, they called it quits in December 2009. In March 2015, Byron married Belinda Velvick. They share a daughter named Kamber.
Charlie O'Connell
Charlie, the brother of actor Jerry O’Connell, starred as the seventh Bachelor in 2005. While he did not propose to Sarah Brice during the finale, the twosome began an on-off relationship after the finale aired. Charlie and Sarah called it quits for good in 2010. The former Sliders actor married Playboy Playmate Anna Sophia Berglund in May 2018.
Travis Lane Stork
Travis and winner Sarah Stone decided to date after the season 8 finale of The Bachelor in 2006 instead of getting engaged. Shortly after the season aired, however, they split. The Doctors host married Charlotte Brown in 2012. The twosome called it quits after three years of marriage in 2015.
Travis then started seeing Parris Bell after meeting through a mutual friend in 2016. The twosome tied the knot in August 2019. The couple welcomed their first child together, a son named Grayson, in June 2020.
"We did a thing yesterday. It was perfect. 8.3.19 ❤️🎉," he captioned a pic from the nuptials via Instagram at the time.
Four months after their nuptials, the newlyweds announced that they are expecting their first child.
“The Stork is dropping off a baby boy in June 2020 and we are pumped! #Storkbaby,” Travis wrote alongside a series of photos of his wife’s baby bump.
Parris shared the same snaps, writing, “We have SO much to be thankful for this holiday season. Baby boy coming in hot in June 2020 and we are so excited and grateful!! Here’s hoping little man gets Travis’s beauty, brains, temperament, and personality, combined with my raw athletic talent #Storkbaby #byebyeabs #jk #cantlosewhatyouneverhad.”