Marie Claire
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Nice Talk
  • Style at Large
  • More
    • Politics
    • Career & Money
    • Health & Fitness
    • Power Play
    • Travel
    • Promo Codes
    • Food & Cocktails
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Sex & Love
  • Newsletter SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Marie Claire
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    The ultimate daily digest for women of power, purpose, and style.


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    Want to add more newsletters?

    Marie Claire Daily

    Delivered daily

    Marie Claire Daily

    Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Sent weekly on Saturday

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Exclusive access to expert shopping and styling advice from Nikki Ogunnaike, Marie Claire's editor-in-chief.

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Once a week

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Insider tips and recommendations for skin, hair, makeup, nails and more from Hannah Baxter, Marie Claire's beauty director.

    Livingetc

    Once a week

    Livingetc

    Your shortcut to the now and the next in contemporary home decoration, from designing a fashion-forward kitchen to decoding color schemes, and the latest interiors trends.

    Homes & Gardens

    Delivered Daily

    Homes & Gardens

    The ultimate interior design resource from the world's leading experts - discover inspiring decorating ideas, color scheming know-how, garden inspiration and shopping expertise.


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • New Beauty Launches
    • Halloween Nails
    • 'You Can See Everything'
    • Holiday Candles
    • Statement Red Socks
    1. Culture
    2. TV shows

    Who Is Blake Horstmann, the Contestant at the Center of All the Drama on 'Bachelor in Paradise'?

    Blake Horstmann won over fans as the runner up on Becca Kufrin's season of The Bachelorette, but this summer he's ditched the nice guy persona for drama on Bachelor in Paradise.

    By Kayleigh Roberts
    Published 4 August 2019 In Features

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    ABC's "Bachelor in Paradise" - Season Six
    (Image credit: Craig Sjodin)
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    He was the runner-up on Becca Kufrin's season of The Bachelorette.He's from Colorado.He's cashing in on the #SponCon opps that come with Bachelor Nation citizenship.He is (or used to be) a sales rep.He's going to have a fling (and, presumably drama) with Kristina Schulman in Paradise.He's a dog lover.

    The Bachelor franchise famously recruits from within when it's time to find a star for the next season of The Bachelor or The Bachelorette. But Bachelor Nation has more amazing characters than we could ever hope to see lead a season of love on one of the flagship shows. And for the rest of the contestants we love (or love to hate...or hate to love), there's Bachelor in Paradise.

    For anyone who might not be aware, Bachelor in Paradise is what you get when you take the basic premise of The Bachelor franchise (love+TV), swap the champagne flutes for tequila shots, and add a dash of the childhood game Musical Chairs.

    Latest Videos FromMarie Claire
    Watch full video here:

    This summer's season of Paradise shenanigans kick off on Monday, August 5 and the cast is a Who's Who of recent Bachelor Nation alums, including Becca Kufrin's fan favorite runner-up, Blake Horstmann. But, if you're hoping to see the quintessential nice guy we all fell for during Becca's season in Paradise...maybe just don't watch Paradise. Here's everything you need to know about Blake, who is by all accounts sitting at the epicenter of BiP's drama this season.

    He was the runner-up on Becca Kufrin's season of The Bachelorette.

    Blake's claim to fame in Bachelor Nation is as a contestant on Season 14 of The Bachelorette. Blake was the frontrunner for pretty much the entire season and it was a shock to everyone—most of all Blake—when Becca ultimately chose Garrett Yrigoyen.

    You may like
    • Dannelle Davidson wears a wedding dress and veil while talking with Harry Jowsey (unseen) in the finale of Netflix's 'Let's Marry Harry.' 'Let's Marry Harry' Runner-Up Dannelle Davidson Has a Lot of Thoughts About That Shocking Finale
    • taylor frankie paul smiles and holds a rose while wearing a red dress in a promo shot for her bachelorette season Taylor Frankie Paul's 'Bachelorette' Season Was Spoiled—But She Would Do a "Round Two"
    • harry jowsey wears a tan suit and places his hand over his chest as he greets a group of women on netflix's let's marry harry Your Guide to the 20 Women Competing for Harry Jowsey's Heart on 'Let's Marry Harry'

    He's from Colorado.

    Blake hails from Colorado and (at least on The Bachelorette) he gave off exactly the strong, Midwest vibes you'd expect. According to Blake's Instagram, he still calls Denver home.

    He's cashing in on the #SponCon opps that come with Bachelor Nation citizenship.

    Speaking of the 'Gram, Blake has no qualms about getting in on the #SponCon game. He appears to be a full-on brand ambassador for Reign Body Fuel, a zero sugar energy drink.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    The ultimate daily digest for women of power, purpose, and style.

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    A post shared by Blake Horstmann (@balockaye.h)

    You might even call him a #SponCon king. Like, literally. He posed on a throne made of energy drink cans for his Insta cash.

    A post shared by Blake Horstmann (@balockaye.h)

    He is (or used to be) a sales rep.

    Before his Bachelorette days, Blake was a sales rep, and he's been interested in the business world for a long time. In college, he was a member of the Professional Business Leaders and Lamda Pi Eta. FWIW, his Twitter profile says he sells beer.

    He's going to have a fling (and, presumably drama) with Kristina Schulman in Paradise.

    ABC's "Bachelor in Paradise" - Season Six

    (Image credit: John Fleenor)

    Early stills and teaser clips from the upcoming season of Bachelor in Paradise reveal that Blake is going to go on a date with fan favorite Kristina Schulman (from Nick Viall's season of The Bachelor). 

    What to read next
    • reality star harry jowsey stands in front of a floral display holding a sign that says my vows in a still from the show let's marry harry Your Guide to 'Let's Marry Harry' Star Harry Jowsey's Complete (and Messy) Dating History
    • amanda kloots wears a pink suit and her hair in a bun smiling in the netflix reality show let's marry harry Meet Amanda Kloots, the Star Fitness Instructor Who's Among the Confidantes on 'Let's Marry Harry'
    • Aniya Harvey, Melanie Moreno, Trinity Tatum and Kayda Bosse at Peacock's "Love Island USA" Season 8 Reunion held at Universal Studios Hollywood on August 09, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. 'Love Island USA' Season 8 Isn't Over Yet! Here's What We Know About the Reunion

    He's a dog lover.

    This is probably the best thing about Blake (and the number one reason to follow him on Instagram). He loves dogs and poses with them regularly.

    A post shared by Blake Horstmann (@balockaye.h)

    A post shared by Blake Horstmann (@balockaye.h)

    A post shared by Blake Horstmann (@balockaye.h)

    A post shared by Blake Horstmann (@balockaye.h)

    Dogs forever.

    For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.

    subscribe here

    RELATED STORIES

    ABC's "The Bachelorette" - Season 15

    (Image credit: John Fleenor)

    Jed Wyatt's Ex Is a Huge Hannah Brown Fan

    Fashion, Fun, Sitting, Blond, Thigh, Interaction, Event, Leg, Leisure, Photography,

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Why Colton Is Returning Cassie's Engagement Ring

    Explore More
    Drama The Bachelor
    Kayleigh Roberts
    Social Links Navigation
    Contributing Editor at Marie Claire

    Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with over 10 years of professional experience covering entertainment of all genres, from new movie and TV releases to nostalgia, and celebrity news. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.

    Read more
    A group of women (l-r Wilnie Louis, Brittany Bianco, Kara Grumoli, Dr. Sahar Mostafavi, Diana Perrone, Jacqueline Guelli, Michaella Giorgio, Sarah Williams) toast with gold cups, in 'Love Is Blind' season 11.
    TV shows The Pods Are Open: Meet 'Love Is Blind' Season 11's Cast of Proud Bostonians The Netflix reality hit has found 30 Northeastern singles looking for love.
    By Quinci LeGardye
    a split image of michaella wearing an orange leather dress and rob wearing a brown suit and white t-shirt in promotional shots for love is blind season 11
    TV shows Michaella and Rob Didn't Make It to Their 'Love Is Blind' Wedding—Here's What We Know Now They were one of the strongest couples on season 11...until the AI account executive's dramatic crash out.
    By Radhika Menon
     
     
    Jacqueline "Jax" Guelli and Scott "Stew" Stewart's cast portraits from 'Love Is Blind' season 11.
    TV shows Did Jax Give Stew Another Chance After Ghosting Him on 'Love Is Blind?' We know that the skincare founder met up with the wannabe Kennedy after leaving the Netflix show.
    By Quinci LeGardye
    'The Traitors UK' host Claudia Winkleman stands in front of a stack on large gold coins.
    TV shows The Star-Studded Season of 'The Celebrity Traitors' Has Begun. Here's How to Watch It Get ready to see HBO stars, pop girlies, and an Oscar nominee face off in the game of deception.
    By Quinci LeGardye
     
     
    Latest in TV shows
    parker posey wears a yellow dress and holds an umbrella walking through a vineyard in a still from hulu's the mob
    TV shows Meet the Cast of 'The Mob,' Hulu's New Celebrity Competition Series
    a split image of author lucy score posing leaning against a bookshelf and the cover of her novel things we never got over
    TV shows Everything We Know About 'Things We Never Got Over,' Your Next BookTok-to-TV Obsession
     
     
    Keri Russell as Kate Wyler and Rufus Sewell as Hal Wyler in 'The Diplomat' season 4.
    TV shows 'The Diplomat' Season 4 Ends With Several Major Twists—Here's Your Breakdown
    Jacqueline "Jax" Guelli and Scott "Stew" Stewart's cast portraits from 'Love Is Blind' season 11.
    TV shows Did Jax Give Stew Another Chance After Ghosting Him on 'Love Is Blind?'
     
     
    Latest in Features
    collage of green holiday candles
    Fragrance Thanks to These Candles, My Home Smells Like a Mix Between a Gingerbread House and a Ski Slope
    models with glossy lips on a pink background with ole henriksen pout preserve
    Skincare There Is Only One Product I Trust to Prevent Chapped Lips—It Just Launched in the Perfect Pink Shade
     
     
    short choppy curtain bangs and shaggy layers on different hair lengths, dark tousled bob with pieces falling across the face, soft wispy fringe and flipped out ends, effortless messy hair inspo
    Hair These Cool-Girl Bangs Never Go Out of Style
    Dark espresso brown nails, a little coffee cup moment, glossy chocolate mani and swirly brown nail art with gold rings, all the fall nail inspo
    Nails Move Over, Pumpkin Spice—Coffee Nails Are Fall’s New Statement Manicure
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Marie Claire
    RSS
    • About us
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Advertise Online
    • Newsletter
    • Terms and conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • Careers
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.