Love, roses, and heartbreak—The Bachelor and The Bachelorette have never shied away from drama, but when betrayal enters the mansion, it takes things to a whole new level. Over the years, the franchise has delivered some of the most jaw-dropping, gut-punching betrayals in reality TV history. Whether its contestants playing both sides, secret relationships exposed, or leads blindsided by shocking confessions, these moments shattered trust and left both viewers and participants reeling. The emotional intensity of these betrayals isn’t just about the drama—it’s about how real they feel, especially when love and vulnerability are on the line. For fans, these moments represent the show at its most compelling: when the fantasy of a perfect romance crumbles and the raw reality of heartbreak is laid bare on national television. These aren’t just love stories gone wrong—they’re cautionary tales wrapped in tuxedos and glitter gowns. Here are the top 10 most brutal betrayals in The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, ranked by just how devastating—and unforgettable—they were.
#10: Clare Crawley’s Walkout on The Bachelorette
In Season 16 of The Bachelorette, Clare Crawley made history—and waves—by essentially ending her own season just a few episodes in. From the moment Dale Moss stepped out of the limo, Clare was smitten. She famously said, “I definitely feel like I just met my husband,” before even handing out the first rose. What followed was a whirlwind obsession with Dale that left the other men feeling like background extras in her love story. Clare ignored the usual pace of the show, spent most of her time with Dale, and even canceled group dates. The real betrayal, though, wasn’t just to the other contestants—it was to the process. Fans and producers alike were stunned when Clare accepted Dale’s proposal just weeks into filming, prompting a mid-season switch to new Bachelorette Tayshia Adams. Contestants felt misled, having left their lives behind for what became a one-woman show. The emotional fallout was intense. While some viewers applauded Clare for knowing what she wanted, others felt cheated out of the journey they signed up for. It was one of the most controversial moves in franchise history. Clare’s abrupt exit wasn’t just a twist—it was a declaration that she didn’t need the show’s format to find love. But the collateral damage left in her wake made it one of the most shocking betrayals in Bachelorette history.
#9: Arie Luyendyk Jr. Dumps Becca on Camera—For His Runner-Up
Arie Luyendyk Jr.’s season of The Bachelor delivered what is still considered one of the coldest breakups ever seen on the show. After proposing to Becca Kufrin in the finale, America watched as the couple began their “happily ever after” journey—only to have it implode in the most public way possible. Weeks later, Arie realized he still had unresolved feelings for his runner-up, Lauren Burnham. Instead of handling it off-camera, Arie chose to film the entire breakup with Becca, turning what should’ve been a private and painful moment into a national spectacle. The footage was unedited and raw—Becca crying, asking him to leave, while he stayed awkwardly seated, trying to explain himself. Viewers were livid. Becca had been blindsided, betrayed not only by her fiancé, but also by the production’s decision to televise her heartbreak. The move felt calculated, cruel, and deeply invasive. Though Arie eventually married Lauren and started a family, the damage done to Becca’s emotional trust—and to his own reputation—was significant. This betrayal wasn’t just about a broken engagement; it was about the exploitation of vulnerability for ratings. It was messy, painful, and unforgettable. Becca’s eventual return as The Bachelorette was a triumphant rebound, but the wound left by Arie’s decision remains one of the most brutal in Bachelor Nation history.
#8: Jed Wyatt’s Secret Girlfriend Scandal
When Hannah Brown chose Jed Wyatt as her final rose recipient in Season 15 of The Bachelorette, fans were skeptical—but no one predicted the betrayal that was about to unfold. Just days after the finale aired, news broke that Jed had entered the competition with a girlfriend back home. According to reports, he never broke things off before joining the show and had even promised the woman he was only going on The Bachelorette to promote his music career. The revelation blindsided Hannah and Bachelor Nation. Jed’s insistence during the show that he was there “for love” suddenly rang hollow. In a deeply emotional After the Final Rose special, Hannah confronted Jed, returned the engagement ring, and ended things for good. The betrayal stung on multiple levels—not only had Jed deceived her, but he had done so while pretending to be sincere every step of the way. Fans were furious, labeling him a fraud and dragging his image through the social media mud. For Hannah, the heartbreak was compounded by embarrassment. She had chosen someone who had played her, and the fallout was swift and public. This scandal didn’t just expose Jed—it raised questions about how many contestants come on the show with hidden agendas. Jed’s actions turned what should’ve been a fairytale ending into a cautionary tale, and his betrayal is still talked about as one of the franchise’s most notorious.
#7: Luke P.’s Controlling Behavior Toward Hannah Brown
Luke Parker, known to fans as Luke P., became one of the most controversial villains in Bachelorette history during Hannah Brown’s unforgettable Season 15. At first, he appeared to be the frontrunner—charming, confident, and showering Hannah with compliments. But as the season progressed, his behavior grew increasingly manipulative and controlling. The real betrayal came when Luke, fueled by jealousy and rigid views about relationships, began policing Hannah’s choices. In one of the most explosive showdowns ever aired, he told Hannah he would remove himself from the competition if she had been intimated with any of the other contestants. His exact words implied that her faith and worthiness were in question—essentially shaming her for exploring her feelings and physical connections. Hannah’s response was swift and iconic. She fiercely defended her right to make her own choices, telling Luke off in front of the cameras and delivering the now-legendary line: “I had sex… and Jesus still loves me.” The betrayal wasn’t romantic—it was ideological and emotional. Luke had presented himself as someone who respected Hannah, only to reveal a possessive, judgmental side that stunned viewers. His actions felt like a bait-and-switch, and for Hannah, it was a betrayal of trust and respect. Fans rallied behind her, and Luke’s image was forever tarnished. This moment highlighted a darker kind of betrayal—one that wasn’t about cheating or secret girlfriends, but about undermining someone’s autonomy under the guise of love.
#6: Brooks Forester Dumps Des at the Final Three
During Desiree Hartsock’s season of The Bachelorette, Brooks Forester was widely seen as the frontrunner—the one she had fallen hardest for. He had charm, chemistry, and the kind of low-key presence that made fans believe he was “the one.” But then came the emotional gut-punch. Just before the final rose ceremony, during a tropical getaway in Antigua, Brooks pulled Des aside and revealed that he wasn’t in love with her—and worse, that he didn’t see himself getting there. The timing couldn’t have been more brutal. Des was all in. She broke down sobbing, telling the camera she had given her heart to Brooks, only to have it shattered on national television. The betrayal hit hard because Brooks had led her—and the audience—to believe there was a real connection. He never gave off red flags, never seemed disingenuous, which made the emotional whiplash even more devastating. Des was so heartbroken that she considered leaving the show altogether. What made this moment so uniquely painful wasn’t malice, but the slow, honest unraveling of something that had seemed so right. Ultimately, Des stayed, and in a twist, no one saw coming, ended up choosing—and later marrying—Chris Siegfried. But Brooks’ sudden departure marked one of the most emotionally raw moments in franchise history. It showed that sometimes, betrayal isn’t about lies or deceit—it’s about someone walking away right when you’ve decided to stay.
#5: Peter Weber’s Rollercoaster of Rebounds
Peter Weber’s season of The Bachelor was chaotic from the start, but nothing prepared viewers for the whirlwind of indecision, heartbreak, and confusion that unfolded in the finale. After proposing to Hannah Ann Sluss, Peter quickly realized his heart was still with his runner-up, Madison Prewett, who had left the show before the proposal due to differing values and tension with Peter’s family. The betrayal came in stages. First, Peter broke off the engagement with Hannah Ann in a clumsy, awkward breakup that aired in full. Hannah Ann, blindsided and furious, delivered a searing takedown, telling Peter he “took away her first engagement.” Then came the reveal: Peter’s mom, Barb, did not approve of Madison. Still, Peter reunited with her—briefly. The whole thing imploded within days of the live finale. For Hannah Ann, it was a betrayal of trust. For Madison, it was emotional whiplash. And for viewers, it was exhausting. Peter had managed to alienate both women and lose the faith of Bachelor Nation in record time. The betrayal wasn’t just to the women—he betrayed the audience’s expectation that at least someone would walk away happy. In the end, no one did. Peter’s inability to commit left a trail of heartbreak and frustration, turning what could’ve been a romantic ending into a cautionary tale of indecision and emotional recklessness.
#4: Jason Mesnick’s Change of Heart—On National TV
Jason Mesnick’s season of The Bachelor ended with one of the most jaw-dropping finales in franchise history. He proposed to Melissa Rycroft during the final rose ceremony, and for a moment, it looked like a picture-perfect ending. But weeks later, on the After the Final Rose special, Jason revealed he had made a mistake. Sitting next to Melissa, he broke up with her—on live television—then brought out his runner-up, Molly Malaney, and asked for another chance. The moment was shocking not just for the betrayal itself, but for how publicly and unceremoniously it was handled. Melissa was blindsided, humiliated in front of millions, and visibly heartbroken. Jason’s change of heart was met with outrage. Viewers were furious that such an intimate, painful conversation was used as prime-time entertainment. While Jason and Molly later married and built a life together, the way it all unfolded left a bitter taste. The betrayal here wasn’t about love lost—it was about the callousness of the reveal. Jason’s decision to backpedal on a proposal in front of a live audience turned what should’ve been a private moment into national spectacle. It was a betrayal not only of Melissa’s trust, but also of the sincerity fans expected from the final rose. Even years later, this switcheroo stands as one of the most controversial—and brutal—betrayals in Bachelor history.
#3: Brendan Morais Ditches Tayshia—Then Dates a Bachelor Alum
During Tayshia Adams’ season of The Bachelorette, Brendan Morais quickly rose as a fan favorite. He was soft-spoken, thoughtful, and shared a deep emotional connection with Tayshia. But just as the competition was narrowing and the stakes grew higher, Brendan blindsided both Tayshia and Bachelor Nation by suddenly self-eliminating during Fantasy Suite week. His reason? He claimed he wasn’t ready for an engagement after his divorce and felt emotionally unprepared. It was a heartbreaking moment for Tayshia, who had clearly envisioned Brendan as a serious contender for her final rose. She was stunned, visibly emotional, and clearly caught off guard. Viewers sympathized with both sides—until the real betrayal came weeks later when Brendan was spotted getting close to Bachelor alum Pieper James. The kicker? Rumors swirled that Brendan had been dating Pieper before filming, and many fans believed he used his appearance on Tayshia’s season to build his platform, only to reunite with Pieper post-show. His actions raised serious concerns about authenticity and turned public opinion against him almost overnight. What was once viewed as an emotional and honest exit suddenly looked like a calculated move. For Tayshia, it was a betrayal of trust and sincerity. For fans, it was a reminder that even the most likable contestants might have hidden motives. Brendan went from sweetheart to schemer in the blink of an Instagram story, proving that in Bachelor Nation, even the quietest exits can echo the loudest.
#2: Greg Grippo’s Explosive Walkout on Katie Thurston
Greg Grippo’s departure from Katie Thurston’s season of The Bachelorette was one of the most emotionally raw and polarizing moments the franchise had seen in years. Their connection had been strong from the start—full of intense conversations, shared vulnerability, and deep eye contact that had fans predicting an easy final rose. But everything unraveled during the hometown episode. Greg opened up about the loss of his father and expressed his need for emotional validation from Katie. When her response didn’t meet his expectations—she held back on saying “I love you” due to the format of the show—Greg snapped. What followed was a walkout laced with passive-aggressive barbs, defensiveness, and accusations that Katie was being “too scripted.” He accused her of playing the role of Bachelorette instead of being present in the moment with him. For Katie, it was a complete blindside. She tearfully tried to explain her position, but Greg’s coldness and refusal to listen painted a picture of a man who had emotionally shut down. Fans were divided. Some sympathized with Greg’s need for reassurance; others saw his behavior as gaslighting and emotionally manipulative. Katie later addressed it head-on in the After the Final Rose special, calling him out for making her feel like she did something wrong by sticking to the show’s format. The betrayal felt particularly cruel because it came from someone she trusted most. Greg’s walkout was brutal not just because he left—but because of how he made Katie feel on his way out.
#1: Ross Jirgl Crashes Becca’s Season—As Her Ex
In one of the most surreal moments in Bachelor history, Becca Kufrin’s season was rocked when her ex-boyfriend, Ross Jirgl, showed up unannounced in Peru just days before the final rose ceremony. Becca was down to her final two men—Garrett and Blake—and was on the verge of making the biggest decision of her life. Enter Ross, who had flown across the world claiming he still loved her and wanted to win her back. He stormed into the hotel, demanded to see her, and insisted that they were soulmates despite having broken up a year prior. Becca was visibly shaken. While she quickly rejected Ross and sent him packing, the moment was deeply unsettling—not just for her, but for viewers who couldn’t believe the lengths someone would go to disrupt the process. Ross’s arrival was seen as a last-ditch attempt to reclaim a woman who had clearly moved on, and it cast a cloud of doubt over what should’ve been a joyful and affirming finale. Becca handled it with grace, but the emotional turbulence was palpable. This betrayal was layered: it was a violation of trust, a disregard for boundaries, and an intrusion into a vulnerable moment. It wasn’t a betrayal by a contestant—but it was a betrayal of her past trying to sabotage her future. And that’s what made it the most brutal betrayal in Bachelor history.
The Bachelor franchise has always promised drama, but the betrayals? They’re on a whole other level. From exes crashing finales to contestants hiding relationships or blindsiding leads with sudden exits, these moments weren’t just shocking—they were deeply personal. They reminded viewers that even in the most glamorous setting, heartbreak can strike hard and without warning. These betrayals didn’t just shift storylines—they changed the people at the center of them. Some found strength in heartbreak, others redemption after regret. But all of them reminded us why we watch: not just for love stories, but for the raw, unpredictable human emotion that comes when the roses fall away.
