The Bachelor and The Bachelorette have had some interesting seasons over the years. While a lot of seasons have produced successful couples, many others have not. Throughout the years, there have been multiple runner-up contestants who became fan favorites. In some instances, I think that these contestants were robbed of the win. The following five contestants did not win their respective seasons, but I think that they should’ve!
Tyler Cameron
Tyler Cameron was the runner-up on The Bachelorette Season 15, but he should’ve been picked as the winner! Hannah Brown ultimately chose Jed Wyatt, although they broke up shortly after filming ended. Jed had a girlfriend before leaving for the show, which later came out and prompted Hannah to break up with him.
Throughout the season, Hannah and Tyler had a strong relationship. Tyler was also a fan favorite, and at the time many viewers were rooting for him to be the next Bachelor. While Hannah and Tyler are still friends, they never rekindled their romantic relationship. However, Tyler has since admitted that he thinks he and Hannah would’ve worked out if she had chosen him instead.
Ben Smith
Ben Smith competed on The Bachelorette Season 16, led by Tayshia Adams. Despite getting sent home after hometowns, Ben returned during fantasy suite week for a second shot at Tayshia’s heart. While Tayshia ultimately got engaged to Zac Clark, she had strong feelings for Ben as he was the runner-up.
Tayshia and Zac eventually ended their engagement and went their separate ways. It was surprising when Zac won, as he and Tayshia seemed very different throughout the season. Ben, on the other hand, had a lot in common with Tayshia and the two had a genuine connection. If Tayshia had chosen Ben instead, there is a chance that the two may still have been together today.
Brandon Jones
Brandon Jones fell in love with Michelle Young on The Bachelorette Season 18 but was ultimately left heartbroken. Michelle fell in love with Brandon as well but instead chose to get engaged to Nayte Olukoya. Shortly after filming ended, Michelle and Nayte announced that they had chosen to end their engagement. Things between the former couple did not end well, as Michelle admitted she was blindsided when Nayte broke up with her over text.
On the other hand, Brandon seemed to really care for Michelle and probably would’ve treated her much better than Nayte. It was clear from the day Brandon threw the ring on the beach, that he cared about Michelle. It’s a shame that Michelle and Brandon never got to give their relationship a chance, as they both seemed to love one another.
Rachel Recchia
Rachel Recchia formed a strong bond with Clayton Echard on The Bachelor Season 26, but she did not win the season. Clayton instead chose Susie Evans, although their relationship was complicated from the jump. Susie was eliminated during fantasy suite week, after telling Clayton that she could not continue if he had been intimate with the other women.
Later on, Susie returned for the final rose ceremony, just to end things with Clayton again. At After The Final Rose, Clayton and Susie had reunited and were officially a couple. The pair dated in the real world for a while, but eventually broke up for good.
Clayton and Rachel, on the other hand, had a strong relationship for the majority of his season. Rachel truly fell for Clayton, and it seemed like he was really in love with her too. Clayton should’ve chosen Rachel over Susie, as their relationship had potential. Since leading their respective seasons, Clayton and Rachel have hung out, but seemingly just as friends.
Gabi Elnicki
Gabi Elnicki became a fan favorite on The Bachelor Season 27 but ultimately lost to Kaity Biggar. Zach Shallcross handled things relatively poorly during fantasy suite week, where he initially claimed he wouldn’t sleep with anyone. However, Zach and Gabi mutually decided to be intimate during their overnight date. Afterward, Zach seemed to regret the decision and told the other women about it. Understandably, Gabi was not happy about this.
Gabi was done pretty dirty by Zach, and it was difficult to watch him break up with her at the altar. After what she went through all season, Gabi deserved better from Zach in the end. While Zach and Kaity are still going strong, it would have been nice to see Gabi win at the time.
TELL US – WHICH BACHELOR NATION RUNNER-UPS DO YOU THINK SHOULD HAVE WON THEIR SEASON?
