The Bachelor's Terrible Track Record: A History of Failed Romances
Ryan Sutter and Trista Rehn; Molly and Jason Mesnick
With the most recent installment of ABC's The Bachelor ending with a twist and turning emotions, we've got to wonder: Why does The Bachelor have such a poor track record when it comes to couples who stay together? Is it possible that a TV show isn't the best place to look for love? We decided to take a look back — at both The Bachelor and The Bachelorette — to see where all the contestants are now.
The Bachelor
Season 1: Alex Michel chose Amanda Marsh over Trista Rehn.
Outcome: There was no proposal, and Alex and Amanda didn't last long.
Season 2: Aaron Buerge proposed to Helene Eksterowicz.
Outcome: They broke up weeks after the finale aired.
Season 3: Andrew Firestone popped the question to Jen Schefft.
Outcome: The two remained engaged for a bit... but soon broke up. Andrew married actress-model Ivana Bozilovic on July 5, 2008, and they are expecting their first child.
Season 4: Bob Guiney picked Estella Gardinier, giving her a promise ring.
Outcome: They soon broke up but Bob can still thank The Bachelor for his love-life. He met his future wife, soap star Rebecca Budig, on Bachelor XYZ, an ABC Family recap show.
Season 5: Jesse Palmer gave Jessica Bowlin a one-way ticket to join him in New York, though there was no proposal.
Outcome: Their relationship ended weeks later.
Season 6: Byron Velvick proposed to Mary Delgado.
Outcome: Despite two arrests, Mary and Byron are still engaged.
Season 7: Charlie O'Connell gave a promise ring to Sarah Brice.
Outcome: They continued to date, broke up in 2007, and re-united in 2008.
Season 8 (Paris): Travis Stork gave Sarah Stone a ring on a necklace in the finale.
Outcome: They have since parted ways, and Travis can now be seen on The Doctors.
Season 9 (Rome): Lorenzo Borghese chose Jennifer Wilson.
Outcome: When Jennifer and the prince broke up, he dated runner-up Sadie Murray. That relationship fizzled as well.
Season 10 (Officer and a Gentleman): Andy Baldwin proposed to Tessa Horst.
Outcome: They remained together after breaking off their engagement but eventually ended it completely. Andy was linked to Marla Maples in April 2008.
Season 11: Brad Womack was the first Bachelor to not choose anyone, rejecting both DeAnna Pappas and Jenni Croft.
Season 12 (London Calling): Matt Grant proposed to his monkey, Shayne Lamas.
Outcome: They confirmed their break-up in July 2008.
Season 13: Jason Mesnick, originally rejected by Deanna Pappas, asked Melissa Rycroft to marry him, and she ecstatically accepted. Weeks later, during the taping of After the Final Rose, he dumped Melissa for runner-up Molly Malaney. The two are a happy couple. For now.
The Bachelorette
Season 1: Trista Rehn gave the final rose to Ryan Sutter, who then proposed; she accepted.
Outcome: Their wedding was televised on ABC. They now have a baby boy named Max and a girl on the way.
Season 2: Meredith Phillips was rejected by Bob Guiney in The Bachelor's fourth season, became the Bachelorette.
Outcome: She chose Ian McKee, who proposed, but they eventually broke up.
Season 3: Jen Schefft became the Bachelorette after her breakup from Andrew Firestone. She rejected proposals from both Jerry Ferris and John Paul Merritt, but chose Jerry as her final suitor.
Outcome: They broke up soon after, but Jen is a bachelorette no more as she's planning her wedding to Joe Waterman.
Season 4: DeAnna Pappas left broken-hearted after Bachelor Brad Womack rejected her but then became the Bachelorette in the show's latest installment.
Outcome: She chose Jesse Csincsak over Jason Mesnick and the two set a wedding date for May 9, 2009. But alas, they broke up in late 2008.
