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.
![ABC's "Bachelor in Paradise" - Season Six](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wupwAtrotSZ2dJXraxExaL-415-80.jpg)
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.
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.
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.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
A post shared by Blake Horstmann (@balockaye.h)
A photo posted by on
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)
A photo posted by on
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.
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).
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 photo posted by on
A post shared by Blake Horstmann (@balockaye.h)
A photo posted by on
A post shared by Blake Horstmann (@balockaye.h)
A photo posted by on
A post shared by Blake Horstmann (@balockaye.h)
A photo posted by on
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.
RELATED STORIES
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.
-
Meghan Markle "Fears" Being "Heckled" If She Returns to U.K.
"The last thing she needs is the stress of going back."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Jenny Is Back on the Block—and Carrying a Birkin
The singer returned to New York City with a loud luxury outfit to match.
By India Roby Published
-
Serena Williams's Post-Retirement Style Pivot Is Complete
The tennis star's fashion era is taking a turn.
By Julia Gray Published
-
The 30 Celebrity Memoirs That Are Actually Worth Reading
Britney Spears, Demi Moore, Jessica Simpson, and more drop some serious bombshells in these pages.
By Andrea Park Published
-
How Victoria Justice Learned to Use Her Voice on the Set of 'Victorious'
The former Nickelodeon star recalls what it was like to speak up to adults on set as a child.
By Sadie Bell Published
-
Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones Tease an Announcement: "We've Got Some News to Share"
The former 'Normal People' costars and IRL best friends seem to have a new project in the works.
By Sadie Bell Published
-
The Woman Who Inspired Martha in 'Baby Reindeer' Calls the Series "a Work of Fiction" In a YouTube Interview
A woman has come forward as the alleged inspiration behind Martha in the hit Netflix series.
By Sadie Bell Last updated
-
The Best 'Friends' Episodes of All Time
Could these BE any better?
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
The Best Bollywood Movies of 2023 (So Far)
Including one that just might fill the Riverdale-shaped hole in your heart.
By Andrea Park Published
-
‘Bachelor in Paradise’ 2023: Everything We Know
Cue up Mike Reno and Ann Wilson’s “Almost Paradise."
By Andrea Park Last updated
-
Who Is Gerry Turner, the ‘Golden Bachelor’?
The Indiana native is the first senior citizen to join Bachelor Nation.
By Andrea Park Last updated