Over the years, The Bachelor & Bachelorette have given us plenty of shockers, from emotional meltdowns to twists we never saw coming.
Usually, these events result – or stem from – an elimination.
Or a dramatic departure of one"s own volition. Or someone being asked to leave by the show itself. Or just a really, really bad breakup.
With the TV cameras rolling to document it all, obviously.
Suddenly it"s no surprise that this franchise has left such a mark on the genre, airing for more than THIRTY seasons, with no end in sight.
The men, women and moments featured on this list made their way onto it for very diverse reasons. Often through no fault of their own.
All provided images we won"t soon forget, however … at least not until the next season airs and we have to update this list (see #2).
Here"s a look back at some of the most shocking exits in the nearly decade-and-a-half history of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette …
1. DeAnna Pappas AND Jenni Croft
The one that started it all: Brad Womack rejected Jenni Croft on his season finale, and looked poised to propose to fan favorite DeAnna Pappas … who he ALSO rejected!
2. Jojo Fletcher
Ben Higgins’ would-be fiancee Jojo Fletcher was likely the first woman in Bachelor history to hear the words “I love you” from The Bachelor … and lose anyway. We have no doubt that his feelings were real and that he’s in love with Lauren Bushnell even more, but … kind of brutal the way he dragged that out.
3. Jason Mesnick
DeAnna Pappas became The Bachelorette, and threw fans for a loop by rejecting beloved single father Jason Mesnick, who was so smitten with her, in favor of Jesse Csincsak … who she stayed engaged to for like two weeks.
4. Melissa Rycroft
Jason Mesnick upped the ante on both Brad and DeAnna in the finale night shocker department. After getting engaged to Melissa Rycroft on his season finale, he dumped her … on the After the Final Rose special, in favor of runner-up Molly Malaney! At least this one had a happy ending, though: Jason and Molly are happily married, and have a beautiful daughter.
5. Reid Rosenthal
Reid Rosenthal left The Bachelorette during the final three, then returned to propose to Jillian Harris on the finale after a change of heart … only by then she had chosen Ed Swiderski.
6. Ed Swiderski
Ed too left The Bachelorette, only to return and WIN Jillian Harris’ season. His cheating ways soon caught up with him, though. She decided to List It, Not Love It … see what we did there?!
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