'The Bachelor's Major Plot Twist: When the Lead Doesn't Find Their Fiancé
It's a rare occurrence for a 'Bachelor' leading man to conclude his journey without selecting a winner, but it's certainly not unheard of!
Updated March 25 2024, 10:05 a.m. ET
Spoiler alert: This article contains major spoilers for Season 28 of The Bachelor.
Is it truly a fairy tale without the hero proposing to his lady at the end? While the lead of The Bachelor isn't obligated to propose to his final contestant, it's become an almost unspoken rule after 28 seasons of the reality show.
Interestingly, there are instances where outcomes seem more favorable for the lead of The Bachelor and his final pick when a proposal isn't part of the equation. After all, the Bachelor lead only has about six weeks to develop romantic connections with his contestants!
With that in mind, what happens when a proposal doesn't occur? Is a contestant only deemed the winner if and when the Bachelor lead proposes to them? Read on to find out!
What happens if 'The Bachelor' lead doesn't pick a winner?
On the rare occasion that The Bachelor lead doesn't pick a winner, they typically return to their regular life without an engagement. If you recall Season 26, regarded as one of the most disappointing seasons in Bachelor history, leading man Clayton Echard ruins his chance at a happy ending.
Despite proposing to Susie Evans after kicking Gabby and Rachel to the curb, she rejects him, leaving Clayton as much of a bachelor as when he embarked on his search for everlasting love. However, Clayton and Susie did reconcile after filming ended, but their relationship eventually fizzled out for good.
Matt James technically didn't pick a winner for his season.
If there was ever a couple who proved Bachelor Nation wrong, it would be Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell. Matt chooses Rachael as his final rose pick, but he doesn't propose to her because he isn't ready for that commitment.
The couple's journey takes a tumultuous turn when old photos of Rachael at an antebellum-themed event surface on social media, alongside other troubling allegations from her past. Ultimately, the couple confirmed their split during the 2021 "After The Final Rose" special.
Rachael took to her Instagram to issue several apologies following the backlash, notably refraining from making any excuses for her past actions. In April 2021, Matt confirmed that he and Rachael had reconciled, and as of March 2024, they are still together.
Remember Juan Pablo from 2014?
Back in 2014, Juan Pablo was Bachelor Nation's least favorite leading man. Nonetheless, his season did produce Claire Crawley's memorable line, "I'd never want my children to have a father like you."
If we're defining winners as women who receive proposals on the show, then technically, Juan Pablo's final choice also falls short (although some might argue she won in the long run). Juan expressed a desire to pursue a relationship with Nikki Ferrell — but he didn't want to propose.
Nicki and Juan Pablo ended up calling it quits before any wedding bells rang.
Wait, does Joey Graziadei pick a winner? Spoilers ahead!
Since ABC revealed Joey Graziadei as the next Bachelor, many of us devoted fans have felt a sense of relief. And now, as his journey draws to a close, it's safe to say he's emerged as the finest leading man the Bachelor franchise has seen in recent memory!
Given our collective hopes for his happily ever after, the burning question arises: Does Joey choose a winner? Well, of course! According to Reality Steve, Joey proposes to Kelsey Anderson in the finale. The fan-favorite reality TV blogger further noted that they remain engaged to this day.
