54 Wild Rules ‘Bachelor’ and ‘Bachelorette’ Contestants Have to Follow

You Can’t Tell *Anyone* You’ve Been Cast

Like. Not a soul. Former Bachelor contestant Chelsea Roy told Vox (opens in new tab), “We sign a big NDA where we’re not allowed to tell anyone that we’ve been cast and we’re going to start filming the show. I was able to reach out to a couple of people, local people, and say, ‘I would like to support your store in exchange for some exposure in the next few months. Just trust me.’”

You Have to Buy All Your Own Clothes

So, what happens when you can’t borrow clothing? You gotta buy it—and ABC certainly isn’t footing the bill. Bachelorette Jillian Harris said (opens in new tab) she legit took out a second mortgage on her house to buy $8,000 worth of cute outfits for The Bachelor, while former cast member Bekah Martinez told Glamour she spent around $800 on heels and makeup.

You Aren’t Allowed to Wear Patterns

Notice how The Bachelor cast members are almost always in solid colors? It’s because producers make them dress according to a pretty specific style guide. In his tell-all book, For the Right Reasons (opens in new tab), Bachelor Sean Lowe revealed (opens in new tab) that contestants can’t wear “stripes, small checkered patterns, big patterns, and solid white.”

Hah, clearly Kelley Flanagan (opens in new tab) didn’t get the memo about that last one judging from this pic.

Limo Dresses Have to Be Approved

Former contestant Jaclyn Swartz gave Fashionista (opens in new tab) some intel about how limo arrival dresses work. She explained, “You’re by yourself in a hotel room and you come with a dress and probably a backup dress. The stylist Cary Fetman and a producer will come around to [your] room and they’ll approve the dress for the first night. That’s usually to make sure no two girls are wearing the same dress.”

You Have to Pack 14 Rose Ceremony Dresses

Sean Lowe dropped this fact (opens in new tab) in his book For the Right Reasons (opens in new tab), while fan-favorite Ashley Iaconetti told Fashionista (opens in new tab) that “The mentality you really have to go with is [that] you wear your favorites first. I know you want to save the best for last, but you have to be realistic and think, I’m probably not going to be here last.”

Everyone Has to Take an STD Test...

Sounds invasive, but it kinda makes sense? I mean, the Bachelor/ette often ends up having sex with multiple people on the show during the fantasy suites, so ya gotta stay safe! That said, former contestant Leslie Hughes told the Daily Beast (opens in new tab) the tests were “crazy.”

...And Yep, a COVID-19 Test

On top of STD tests, every contestant competing on The Bachelorette and The Bachelor in 2020 has to have frequent coronavirus tests (every third day, (opens in new tab) to be exact). Which makes complete sense considering we're, you know, in the middle of a pandemic.

Oh, and You Have to Have a Full Psych Evaluation

On top of the STD and COVID-19 tests, contestants are given a full-blown psychological evaluation (opens in new tab) to make sure they’re a good fit for reality television. Um, if that’s the case, I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS.

There’s an Explanation, Though...

“It can be a somewhat emotionally taxing—people don’t realize how fast emotions get involved,” Catherine Selden, PsyD (who conducted psych evals for the show back in 2010), told ABC (opens in new tab). “We want to make sure that people are going to be okay with coping with the stress involved and make sure that they are going to be offered the help that they need if it’s the case.”

Everyone Has to Quarantine

On top of being tested for coronavirus upon arriving on-set, contestants and crew have to agree to quarantine (opens in new tab) for a full week before filming begins.

Breaking Quarantine Has Consequences

Chris Harrison reportedly broke quarantine right in the middle of Tayshia Adams's season and on top of having to re-quarantine, our dude was fully replaced as host by JoJo Fletcher. (opens in new tab) (Don't panic, it was temporary.)

Cell Phones Are Confiscated

Imagine going weeks without your cell phone. Truly, the horror, but that’s exactly what goes down on The Bachelor. Leslie Hughes confirmed as much, telling the Daily Beast (opens in new tab), “We have nothing. We are completely cut off from the world. We have to talk to each other—we have nothing else to do.”

Music Is Straight-Up Banned

Because on top of not being able to text your friends, The Bachelor producers don’t even want contestants to be able to listen (opens in new tab) to Demi Lovato's breakup song (opens in new tab) over and over again. Good thing they can always go watch their ex-boyfriends in concert (opens in new tab)!

There’s a Two-Drink Rule

Apparently, ABC enforced a “two drink per hour maximum” rule during Bachelor in Paradise that was still in effect as of January 2018 (opens in new tab). That said, contestants clearly had a lot to drink during Peter’s season, and it was even a source of drama on the show (opens in new tab).

You’re Not Allowed to Interact Off Camera

Big Brother, by which I mean Chris Harrison (opens in new tab), is always watching. This show doesn’t want to miss even a second of drama, and according to Sean Lowe’s book (opens in new tab), there’s an “ironclad rule [of] no interaction off camera.”

Actually, You Aren’t Even Allowed to Go Off Mic

In her interview with the Daily Beast (opens in new tab), Leslie Hughes dropped this bombshell: “They are on you all the time. As soon as you wake up in the morning, your mic is put on you…When you go to bed, it’s taken off.”

Scared! Also fun fact, Bachelor in Paradise cast members are mic’d with these weird necklaces.

The Contestants Don't Actually Eat the Food on Dates

Another juicy BTS fact from Sean Lowe’s book? No one is allowed to actually eat the food on those fancy dates they go on. “Before we went on the date, the producers sent food to our hotel rooms,” Sean said (opens in new tab). “We ate in our rooms and then went out for dinner, where we would be given beautiful food arranged nicely on the plate. This was just for show. No one looks good eating, and microphones pick up all kinds of chomping.”

You Have to Submit 5 to 15 Pics of Yourself

Kaufman revealed (opens in new tab) this in her book Bachelor Nation (opens in new tab), explaining that contestants are required to film “well-lit” videos of themselves “dressed as if going to a nice dinner” for producers to watch. Normal!

You’re Forced to Complete a 150-Question Personality Test...

...And said personality test is completely bonkers. In an excerpt (opens in new tab) from her book, Kaufman writes, “A 150-question personality test is filled with multiple-choice and true-or-false questions: Do you have out-of-body experiences? Do you think you can control things with your mind? Have you ever wanted to kill someone? Some of these questions would be asked several times, with different wording.” Um, help.

You Sign a Contact Agreeing to Be Filmed 24/7

In the same excerpt (opens in new tab), Kaufman says, “Contestants sign contracts in which they must agree to be filmed up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week.” And get this: Even if they’ve taken off their mic, their contract stipulates that they can be filmed “by means of hidden cameras and microphones.” Truly, WHAT?

Eliminated Contestants Have to Meet With a Psychologist

Ya know, just to make sure this show didn’t break them! It’s fine! Apparently (opens in new tab), the psychologist is also available 24/7 to talk with contestants should they be in need of a chat, which is actually kinda nice.

Every Contestant Has to Meet With a Private Investigator

To quote Kaufman’s book (opens in new tab): “This person would be trained to dig up any skeletons in the closet—partly to use for their storyline but also to get ahead of any tabloid stories that could come to the surface if they were on the show. Had they ever been arrested? Had they ever sent nude photos to anyone? Had they ever made a sex tape? Had they gotten a DUI?”

Wow, literally never applying to be on this show EVER.

There Are Some Crazy Ring Rules

For starters, you don’t own it. The show does (opens in new tab). Sure, you get to wear it, but if you break up in less than two years you 100 percent are not allowed to sell it.

You Gotta Forfeit the Rights to Your Own Dang Wedding

While most Bachelor couples break up, those who do make it have to deal with ABC owning the exclusive rights to their wedding (opens in new tab). The good news? They get paid $10,000 per hour of TV programming.

You’re Encouraged to Get Fit

Kay, this is less of a rule and more of a request. Multiple people told Kaufman as much during her book research, with former contestant Erica Rose saying (opens in new tab), “They did encourage everyone to get in their best shape. They’d say, ‘Maybe you want to lose some weight, maybe work out.’” Woof.

Bachelor Contestants Are Forced to “Girl Chat”

Ya know? Girl chat (opens in new tab)? When two women come together under a contractual obligation and make forced convo with each other on camera? It’s totally a thing!

You Can’t, Uh, Read

At least, you can’t read magazines. Bibles have always been allowed in the mansion, and in recent years, books were apparently permitted. But still, the rules are strict. As Bachelor ~villain~ Tierra LiCausi told The Verge (opens in new tab), “Bible studies were held during my season, the girls would have weekly gatherings to study the Bible or discuss their beliefs [and their] religion (which was very interesting and unique to see). I definitely supported that and thought it brought a good vibe into the house. No magazines though.” [Editor’s note: Rude.]

You Need Permission to Watch Movies

A couple contestants from Sean Lowe’s season told The Verge (opens in new tab) there were “blackout days,” when the cast was allowed to rest and watch a movie picked by the production team. Meanwhile, Wells Adams says contestants on his season of The Bachelorette were allowed to watch Interstellar. Poor things.

Um, in Case It’s Not Clear, TV Is Banned Too

Got it. Cool-cool-cool.

You Can’t Skip Any Dates

Feeling sick? Simply not in the mood? TOO BAD! Contestants are expected to show up (opens in new tab) no matter what. Unless, you're Clare Crawley (opens in new tab) and not only do you skip dates, you skip the whole entire show. (opens in new tab)

You Have to Deal With a Very Annoying Packing List

As Bachelorette Andi Dorfman wrote in her book It’s Not Okay: Turning Heartbreak Into Happily Never After (opens in new tab), contestants are required (opens in new tab) to bring clothing “for both cold and warm weather; athletic wear; bathing suits; heels; tennis shoes; sandals; cocktail, long, and casual dresses; and heavy coats.” I’m breaking out in hives just thinking about it.

And, Um, You Get Only Three Suitcases

According to (opens in new tab) former contestant Jaclyn Swartz, “They tell you that you are allowed two to three suitcases total.” HOW, I ask, do you pack casual dresses, heavy coats, and cocktail attire in just three suitcases?

ABC Is Pretty Much Your Boss for 12 Months

Once you sign onto the show, you’re in it for an entire year. According to former Bachelor Chris Soules (opens in new tab), production has “a say in almost everything you do afterward.” Makes sense, given how many of these dudes go on to do Dancing With the Stars.

Break the Rules? Get Sued

Producers will not shy away from a lawsuit if you break your contract. Just ask Bachelorette contestant Luke Parker who owes production $100k for breaking his contract (opens in new tab) by doing interviews before he was technically allowed to.

You Aren’t Allowed to Say “Process”

Bachelor Sean Lowe told Glamour (opens in new tab) this wild fact, explaining, “Any time you call it a ‘process,’ they will make you re-tape it and say ‘journey.’” I’m lol.

You Can’t...Go Shopping

Basically, if you run out of something, you’re either (a) screwed or (b) have to legit bribe producers to buy it for you—and they’ll usually only get something you really need. “If you run out of deodorant, no big. But brow pencil? You’re screwed! They definitely aren’t running to a Sephora,” Jaclyn Swartz told Refinery29 (opens in new tab). “I was so paranoid about running out of my brow pencil in Mexico that I brought four just in case.”

You Have to Do Your Own Makeup

Everyone on The Bachelor looks pretty flawless, and surprisingly, they get no help whatsoever from professionals. But Ashley Iaconneti says the girls help each other, telling Refinery29 (opens in new tab), “I’m definitely a makeup girl, so other girls would ask me for help. I remember contouring Jillian and doing Whitney’s and Mackenzie’s brows. I’m not very good with my hair, so if I needed help with my clip-in extensions—they’re good for updos for rose ceremonies—other girls were there to help me."

Contestants Have to Share Four Showers

And considering this show starts off with about 4 million contestants, that’s pretty rough. But former cast member Whitney Bischoff told Refinery29 (opens in new tab) that sometimes they’d double up, saying, “When there are that many girls and not a lot of time or space, desperate times call for desperate measures.”

You Aren’t Allowed to Use the AC

Why? Because it’s too noisy (opens in new tab). Right. Totally makes more sense to have everyone sweating profusely on camera!

You Can’t Use Social Media

This one goes without saying. If contestants can’t even listen to music or read a magazine, you better believe ABC is blocking access to their social media accounts.

In Fact, You Have to Go Private on Insta and Twitter

The show doesn’t want Bachelor Nation digging up a ton of dirt on their contestants before the show has even started, so the cast is required to lock down their social profiles until filming has commenced.

Cast Members Have to Be At Least 21

Bekah was definitely cutting it close at 22, but technically, The Bachelor’s eligibility requirements (opens in new tab) make sure all their contestants are of drinking age before they can be cast.

You Can’t Run for Office for At Least a Year

Gonna go ahead and use a pic of Kelley Flanagan (opens in new tab) because nothing but respect for MY president of Bachelor Nation. But even if Kelley or another contestant wanted to become a politician post-show, she’d have to wait. As the eligibility requirements (opens in new tab) state, "Applicants may not presently be a candidate for any type of political office (“Candidate”) and may not become a Candidate from the time the application is submitted until one (1) year after first broadcast of the last episode of the Program in which they appear.”

You Have to Be Single When You Apply

It’s right there in the fine print (opens in new tab): “All applicants must be single. To qualify as ‘single,’ the applicant must not currently be involved in a committed intimate relationship, which includes: any marital relationship (whether or not the parties are separated or currently in the process of divorcing or annulling such marriage); any co-habitation relationship involving physical intimacy; or a monogamous dating relationship more than two (2) months in duration.”

Hear that, Jed Wyatt (opens in new tab)?

Everyone Contractually Agrees to Be Humiliated

Again, check out the fine print in the show’s eligibility requirements (opens in new tab), because yikes: “Revelation of Personal Information and Recordings as defined in these Eligibility Requirements may be embarrassing, unfavorable, humiliating, and/or derogatory and/or may portray him or her in a false light.”

You Can’t Turn Down Any Extreme Activities

If The Bachelor wants you to hurl yourself out of a plane, you’re going to freakin’ hurl yourself out of a plane. The show’s requirements (opens in new tab) say contestants have to agree to participate in a myriad of horrifying things, including “skydiving, snow skiing, ice skating, parasailing, water skiing, rollerblading, and the like.”

You Have to Go Through a Credit Check

Yep. A credit check (opens in new tab). *Why* The Bachelor thinks my student-loan debt has an impact on my ability to find love on national TV remains a mystery, but...whatever you say, Chris Harrison!

You Have to Prove You Aren’t a Criminal

Ever had a criminal background check? Welp, to get on The Bachelor or The Bachelorette you will (opens in new tab), so get ready! Also, I’m using this photo of Pilot Pete (opens in new tab) because its very existence is a crime, thanks for understanding.

You’re Not Supposed to Break Up Until the Finale

Let’s say Tayshia gets engaged at the end of this season. Cute, but she and her guy best not break up publicly before the show’s finale. Reality TV producer Lewis Fenton told E! News (opens in new tab), “In most cases, the production company or network will build in contractual language protecting the show from willful damage.” Meaning, if there is a breakup, they have to be super quiet about it.

No! Spoilers! Allowed!

And if you do spoil the show, apparently (opens in new tab), you have to deal with a $5 million fine. Um?!

Contestants Do All Their Own Cooking

Former contestant Leslie Hughes told the Daily Beast (opens in new tab), “We have to do our own cooking, our own laundry…We do everything you would do when you’re at home, except be able to go outside of your home.”

You Can’t Date 'Til the Show Airs

Like...even if you get kicked off night one. Dating in public would spoil the show for viewers (opens in new tab), which means there’s an awkward three-ish months where you’ve been dumped on national TV and literally aren’t allowed to rebound.

You Have to Get Up Insanely Early

Emily Maynard also wrote a tell-all book about her time in Bachelor Nation (I Said Yes (opens in new tab), for curious minds) and said (opens in new tab) that group dates start at 9 a.m. and go until past midnight. Can. You. Imagine.

You Have to Agree to Tons of Press

Kaufman says (opens in new tab), “In the year following the finale of your season, you must be available to take part in a ‘reasonable number’ of interviews, photo shoots, and chats for publicity.” And get this: “You also have to agree to take part in any special episodes of the show—like After the Final Rose or other reunions—for three years.” THREE YEARS. No wonder all those random alums showed up on Clare and Tayshia's season!