After the first episode of The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons—Ever!, a.k.a. the lovefest that was Sean Lowe and Catherine Giudici, we're on to fan-favorite Kaitlyn Bristowe. And now we're getting into more interesting territory, because (spoiler alert for five years ago, I guess?) Bristowe's not with her final rose selectee, Shawn Booth, but she is with another Bachelorverse alum. Her season of The Bachelorette has plenty of that crazy, crazy drama fans love so much—starting from the very beginning, in which Bristowe was one of two Bachelorettes that the men voted on (Britt Nilsson left in tears, which, I mean, same). Then there's also all that guy drama—I think I'm least excited to watch Ian Thomson, ugh—and all that Nick Viall steaminess to look forward to. But what is the podcaster, entrepreneur, TV personality, and former spin instructor up to these days?
Bristowe and Booth broke off their engagement in 2018.
After the Final Rose, Bristowe and Booth were together for three years before calling off their engagement in November 2018. And, speaking to also-ex Viall on the Viall Files podcast, Bristowe finally did get honest about why. She explained they'd almost broken up two years prior, when Viall was named the Bachelor. "Shawn almost broke up with me and said that you won," Bristowe said. "And I was like, ‘What do you mean?’ That hurt me so badly. And he said, ‘That guy won. That’s what he wanted. That’s why he came on the show and he won.'" (The two men were not fans of each other on the show.)
She went on to say that the show "damaged" the relationship and the trust between the two. "I just wanted him to believe how much I loved him. And it just never came through. It was always about something else…At the end of the day, I chose him...and it just never felt like he chose me back." She added that she "really lost confidence in myself in that relationship."
There are still traces of the two on her Insta, if you go far back enough:
A post shared by Kaitlyn Bristowe (@kaitlynbristowe)
A photo posted by on
Bristowe and Booth do at least keep in occasional contact, if Instagram is any indication. Most recently, she expressed her sorrow and condolence after Booth's dog Tucker passed away in April.
Bristowe is now dating Jason Tartick from Becca Kufrin's season.
Tartick appeared on Bristowe's feed shortly before the breakup, as he appeared on her Off the Vine podcast—apparently that's where the two met:
A post shared by Kaitlyn Bristowe (@kaitlynbristowe)
A photo posted by on
And then the romance-y post appeared in February 2019. "Choose to move forward, into the kind of story that fulfills you, into the kind of person that holds your heart just as carefully as you hold theirs, into the kind of happiness that exists because you chose to fight for it, and never stop fighting for it," she wrote:
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 Kaitlyn Bristowe (@kaitlynbristowe)
A photo posted by on
Aside from that weird hookup story, the two are apparently going strong, with two adopted pups and talks of getting engaged. And they just shared the story of how they met (aww!):
A post shared by Kaitlyn Bristowe (@kaitlynbristowe)
A photo posted by on
In case you're wondering, Booth has apparently been on a few dates but is focusing on his fitness career, as of January 2020.
Bristowe is a little nervous about her season airing.
In an amusing Insta post, Bristowe wrote, "Let’s re-air seasons of #TheBachelorette, they said. It will be fun, they said. *Insert nervous smile." Commenters noted how tough it might be to watch a season in which you fall in love, choose a guy for your happily ever after, and then literally the whole world knows you broke up.
A post shared by Kaitlyn Bristowe (@kaitlynbristowe)
A photo posted by on
If the first episode was any indication, we'll get to hear from Bristowe and Tartick directly (as well as maybe Booth?)—and at least get to hear about her post-season happy ending.
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.
Katherine’s a Boston-based contributor at Marie Claire who covers fashion, culture, and lifestyle—from “Clueless” to Everlane to news about Lizzo. She’s been a freelancer for 11 years and has had roles with Cosmopolitan and Bustle, with bylines in Parents, Seventeen, and elsewhere. It’s “I go to dinner,” not “Her huge ego,” but she responds to both.
-
Your Makeup Won't Budge With These Setting Sprays
Prepare for 12-hour wear.
By Sophia Vilensky Published
-
Prince William Single-Handedly Planned His and Kate Middleton’s Romantic Honeymoon
Kate had no idea where they were headed on their two week luxurious break from reality until after their 2011 wedding.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Bitten Lips Took Center Stage at Dior Fall 2024 Show
Models at the Dior Fall 2024 show paired bitten lips with bare skin, a beauty trend that will take precedence this season.
By Deena Campbell 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
-
‘Virgin River’ Season 6: Everything We Know
Here's everything we know on the upcoming episodes.
By Andrea Park Last updated
-
Kim Cattrall Didn't See or Speak to Her Costars When Filming 'And Just Like That' Cameo
That's some type of commitment.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
The 60 Best K-Dramas You'll Be Completely Hooked On
Wait, how is it already 2 a.m.?
By Quinci LeGardye Last updated
-
Selena Gomez Revealed Meryl Streep Is Joining 'Only Murders in the Building' Season 3
Fans are losing it.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
The 60 Best Musical Movies of All Time
All the dance numbers! All the show tunes!
By Amanda Mitchell Last updated