The Bachelor franchise doesn’t have a great track record when it comes to successful relationships. Only a lucky few have broken the Bachelor Nation curse. While 2023 has been filled with a lot of positive Bachelor Nation news, including engagements and baby announcements, there has also been some heartbreaking news. These were the biggest Bachelor Nation breakups in 2023.
Kaitlyn Bristowe and Jason Tartick
Former Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe and Jason Tartick were an unexpected pair. The two began dating in January 2019, two months after Kaitlyn called it quits with her fiance, Shawn Booth. Unlike most Bachelor Nation pairs, Kaitlyn and Jason didn’t meet on national television. They first connected in 2019 when Jason appeared on Kaitlyn’s Off the Vine podcast.
The two dealt with some criticism at the start of their love affair, with many fans questioning if Kaitlyn was ready for a relationship since she had recently broken up with her partner of three years. However, the two proved their critics wrong as they continued to take steps forward in their relationship. They moved in together, adopted a dog, and even got engaged in May 2021.
Unfortunately, the two never made it down the aisle. They announced their split in an August 2023 Instagram Post, writing, “We are saddened with heavy hearts to share that we have decided to end our engagement.”
Kaitlyn opened up about the split on the August 15 episode of her podcast, telling her guest Lo VonRumpf she felt like she was “grieving a loss.” The former Bachelorette revealed that she and Jason had started to grow apart and weren’t making each other a priority.
“We haven’t been choosing each other,” she shared. “I do need to choose myself. And I want him to choose himself. And that’s what we’ve been doing anyways. The right person is going to choose each other—you’re gonna prioritize each other, and we just haven’t been, so.”
DeAnna Pappas and Stephen Stagliano
DeAnna Pappas didn’t find her happily ever after on The Bachelorette, but the franchise indirectly led her to Stephen Stagliano. After she split from her fiancé Jesse Csincsak, DeAnna was introduced to Stephen through his twin brother Michael, who previously appeared on The Bachelorette.
While the two spent many years together, the relationship came to an end in 2023 after 11 years of marriage. According to Page Six, DeAnna announced the split in a since-deleted Instagram Post, writing, “It is with immense sadness, Stephen & I have decided to end our relationship as a couple.”
She continued, “We have been working hard for a long time—both as a married couple & as individuals & have come to the conclusion to remain separate.”
Brandon Jones and Serene Russell
Brandon Jones and Serene Russell were the golden couple in Bachelor in Paradise Season 8. Fans were sure the two would make it down the aisle, but unfortunately, the relationship wasn’t built to last.
They announced their split in May 2023 in a since-deleted Instagram Post.
“After many months, today we have ultimately decided to end our engagement,” the two wrote, Us Weekly reported. “We have tried to work privately on our relationship which has been incredibly challenging in the public eye. This has been immensely hard to accept and painful, as there is a lot of love between the two of us. We are deeply hurting and can only ask that there be no hate. The best path for us at this time is to try and move forward and heal from this as individuals.”
Serene opened up about the breakup on an episode of the Off the Vine podcast in October.
“It was something that we were both very much still in, and we had gone to therapy, which was really cool,” she told host Kaitlyn Bristowe. “We tried to give ourselves the tools and set ourselves up for success, but there were just ultimately so many things.”
Our hearts break for the couples who have split in 2023. Here’s hoping the other Bachelor Nation couples stay strong in 2024.
Aaron Bryant and Eliza Isichei
Fans had high hopes for Aaron Bryant and Eliza Isichei after the two got engaged in the Season 9 finale of Bachelor in Paradise. Unfortunately, the couple fell victim to The Bachelor curse and never made it down the aisle. According to E! News, Aaron announced their split in December 11 Instagram Story, thanking fans for their continued support.
“I want to thank our family, friends, and Bachelor Nation for all their support not just through the Paradise journey but after as well,” he wrote. “We’re leading our amicable split with nothing but positivity and mutual respect for one another. Thank you all.”
Kat Izzo and John Henry Spurlock
Aaron and Eliza weren’t the only Season 9 couple to call it quits. Kat Izzo and John Henry Spurlock shared they had broken up in a December 11 Instagram Post.
“With mutual love and respect, Kat and I have recently decided to part ways. Our relationship has been filled with wonderful memories and growth,” John wrote. “While this decision wasn’t easy, we believe it’s the right step for both of us as individuals. As we navigate this transition, we ask for your continued support and respect for our privacy.”
Kat and John’s relationship was a slow burn. The two didn’t start a romance until halfway through Season 9. However, their relationship progressed quickly and the two ended up getting engaged in the finale. We were really rooting for these two and are sad to hear they have split.
Kylee Russell and Aven Jones
Okay, we’re starting to think Season 9 of BIP is cursed because three couples broke up within days of each other. Kylee Russell and Aven Jones were the third BIP couple to split this month.
The two left paradise hand in hand but did not get engaged in the finale. The couple had some issues on the show that seemed to translate to real life, considering they split two days after the finale aired.
According to E! News, Kylee accused Aven of infidelity in a December Instagram Story, writing, “In the last 24 hours I have been grasping with the fact that one of the most important relationships in my life has dissolved due to multiple infidelities.” Yikes.
TELL US – WHAT BACHELOR NATION BREAKUP BROKE YOUR HEART THE MOST?
