Bachelor in Paradise's Demi and Kristian Have Ended Their Engagement

They were the franchise's first same-sex couple

Liam Mathews Oct. 31, 2019 at 12:02 p.m. PT

RIP, love. Bachelor in Paradise's Demi Burnett and Kristian Haggerty, the first same-sex couple to ever appear on a Bachelor franchise show, have ended their engagement.

"What has always been at the forefront of our relationship is love and care for one another. Our priority is doing what is best for us," Demi wrote on Instagram. "With a heavy heart full of love for one another we have decided it is best for us to take a step back from our relationship. We ultimately want what is best for us in the long run and for us right now, that means being apart and growing individually."

Demi, whom viewers met on Colton Underwood's season of The Bachelor, began dating Kristian in the spring of this year, according to Entertainment Tonight. When Demi went on Bachelor in Paradise, she missed Kristian, and so Kristian was added to the cast. They dated through the rest of the season and got engaged in the season finale, becoming the first same-sex couple to get engaged (or even date) on the show. But their relationship was always rocky, and now it has come to an end.

They're the second Bachelor in Paradise Season 6 couple to split up this week; Tayshia Adams and John Paul Jones announced their breakup on Wednesday. Chris Bukowski & Katie Morton and Dylan Barbour & Hannah Godwin are still together.

Here's Demi's post:

View this post on Instagram

What has always been at the forefront of our relationship is love and care for one another. Our priority is doing what is best for us. With a heavy heart full of love for one another we have decided it is best for us to take a step back from our relationship. We ultimately want what is best for us in the long run and for us right now, that means being apart and growing individually. We have felt so much love and support from you all as you've followed our journey together and for that we are grateful. We will forever be proud of the impact our love story has made and we hope it has helped others feel more accepted and confident within themselves. We hope it reminded others they aren't alone and don't need to be ashamed of who they are. And we hope it shows that two people can love one another in different ways and for us right now that is apart. But we remain committed to encouraging each other, supporting each other and continuing forward in a way best for us.

A post shared by Demi Burnett (@demi_not_lovato) on Oct 31, 2019 at 11:00am PDT

The Bachelor Season 24 premieres Monday, Jan. 6 on ABC.