Clare Crawley and Dale Moss’ Relationship: Breaking Down the Timeline of Their Splits, Cheating Accusations and More

Credit: ABC/Maarten de Boer; Gregory Pace/Shutterstock

Clare Crawley and Dale Moss’ Relationship: Breaking Down the Timeline of Their Splits, Cheating Accusations and More

If you thought Clare Crawley and Dale Moss’ engagement was fast, wait until you learn how long it took for their split to turn messy. The Bachelorette season 16 couple’s relationship has been plagued by cheating allegations and other accusations. The 39-year-old hairstylist made history when she was named the oldest Bachelorette in history in March 2020. While the ABC series was forced to suspend production on her season for several months due to the COVID-19 crisis, Clare was able to familiarize herself with her contestants, including 32-year-old Dale, via their social media presences. The former football player, for his part, claimed he turned down an opportunity to appear on the series more than once but accepted the invitation for season 16 after he watched Clare on Good Morning America. “I actually finally committed to it four days before everyone was supposed to leave for the show. And the only reason I committed to it was because Clare was announced as Bachelorette at that time,” he said on the January 13, 2021, episode of the “Raising the Bar with Alli and Adrian” podcast. (It’s unclear when the episode was recorded.) He continued: “I know that she had been through this before, but I felt by watching her that this was her time and she was exactly where she was meant to be.” When production on season 16 of The Bachelorette finally resumed in July 2020, Clare’s love for Dale — which she insists was formed solely based off looking at his Instagram account — was confirmed when he stepped out of the limo. After less than two weeks of filming, she broke off her relationships with the 16 remaining contestants and accepted a proposal from Dale in early August 2020. [jwplayer Vmms8LZ5-zhNYySv2] Three months later, Clare and Dale’s love story finished airing in a November 2020 episode of The Bachelorette and they were free to live their lives in the real world. The twosome subsequently announced their plans for him to move from New York City to her native Sacramento, California. After ringing in the new year together, however, Us Weekly confirmed that there were “serious issues” in their relationship that they were trying to work through. Social media users also began to question their status after they went quiet online following a getaway at a beach house in La Jolla, California, in early January. Hours after several outlets confirmed speculation that the twosome were on the rocks on January 19, 2021, Dale took to Instagram to confirm their relationship was over. “I wanted [to] share with you all that Clare and I have decided to go our separate ways. We appreciate the love and support we’ve received from so many people, but this is the healthiest decision for both of us at this time,” he wrote via Instagram. “We strongly believe in leading with love and always remaining true to oneself — something our families have taught and instilled in us throughout our lives. We only hope the best things for one another.” Two days later, Clare broke her silence — and alleged that she wasn’t on the same page as her former fiancé. “I was made aware of a ‘mutual’ statement at the same time you all were, so I’ve needed some time to really digest this,” she wrote on January 21, 2021. “Speaking for myself, my intentions with this relationship have always been very clear, so the truth is I am crushed. This was not what I expected or hoped for and am still trying to process this.” Clare added that she was “looking forward to the light at the end of the tunnel” after “battling severe anxiety post-show, balancing a public new relationship … [and] slowing losing my mother” to Alzheimer’s disease in 2020. “Our relationship was not perfect,” she admitted. “But I can say that I was genuinely invested with all of my heart. I may not have the answers, but I do know this — I will continue to show up, stand by my word and be committed to love.” One month after initially calling it quits, the twosome stepped out together in Florida. Us broke the news in February 2021 that they were giving things another shot. Their reunion didn’t last, however, with sources telling Us in September 2021 that Clare and Dale were over again. This is an ongoing article originally published on January 21, 2021, and most recently updated on October 4, 2021. Scroll through for everything we know about Clare and Dale:

Credit: ABC/Craig Sjodin; Efren Landaos/SOPA Images/Shutterstock

1st Split

According to a source, Clare and Dale pulled the plug on their relationship the week before he announced the split on January 19, 2021. “He wanted to release his statement then, but Clare begged him to wait to announce it,” the source said. “She told him she needed some time to deal with it herself before the world" knew.

Credit: Courtesy Dale Moss/Instagram

The Announcement Debate

While a source told Us that Clare was aware Dale was going to confirm their split via Instagram on January 19, 2021, claiming she "didn’t find out with the rest of the world," Clare insisted in her statement on January 21 that she was “made aware of a 'mutual' statement at the same time you all were."

Credit: ABC; Shutterstock

Why

“Clare and Dale did not agree on a lot of things in the long run when they sat down and really discussed the future of their relationship. They had been fighting a lot as of late,” one source told Us after the first split. “Clare started many of the arguments, and Dale would try not to rock the boat too much, but it all became too much for the both of them. They finally realized that perhaps they did move too quickly after all.”

Credit: ABC/Craig Sjodin; Courtesy Dale Moss/Instagram

Clare’s Issues With Dale’s Family

According to another source, Clare and Dale’s relationship “caused friction” with the athlete’s “friends and family.” In addition to Dale’s sister showing her support for her brother via Instagram on January 21, 2021, Dale’s cousin seemingly slammed Clare earlier this month.

According to alleged screenshots shared via social media,  the cousin, who was on their San Diego trip in early January 2021, unfollowed Clare and wrote, “We know the truth! Now unfollow US in real life” via his Instagram Stories.

Credit: ABC/Lorenzo Bevilaqua; JOHN NACION/startraksphoto.com

The Cheating Claims

Following the initial split news, Dale was accused of cheating on Clare, with an eyewitness telling E! News that he enjoyed a “candlelit dinner” with an unidentified woman at Cipriani Downtown in New York City in November 2020 (the same month his proposal to Clare aired on ABC).

While the outlet reported that it looked like a date, a source told Us that woman is simply “a longtime friend” of the aspiring entertainment host.

“There is zero truth to any cheating rumors,” the source claimed. “Dale was faithful the entire time he was dating Clare. He never cheated on her.”

Credit: Gregory Pace/Shutterstock

The Real Estate Agent

Hours after E! reported about Dale’s “mystery woman,” they revealed her identity: New York City real estate agent Eleonora Srugo. A spokesperson for Srugo subsequently told Us that the pair are just friends.

“Dale and Eleonora are, and have been platonic friends for a few years,” Ronn Torossian told Us. “They have never been romantically involved in any way. She was excited for his engagement and only wishes him all the best. They have never been involved dating, or romantically in any way whatsoever. Any claims they have dated or were romantically involved are blatant lies.”

Credit: ABC/Craig Sjodin

How Things Initially Ended Between Them

While Dale told a photographer on January 19, 2021, that he believes he and Clare will be “cool” in the future, the hairdresser wrote on January 21 via Instagram that she is “crushed” by the split. (An insider also told Us that Clare is “not holding up well” at the moment.)

Dale seemingly tried to send support to his ex by “liking” Clare’s post. 

Credit: Courtesy of Dale Moss/Instagram

Trying to Work Through It

In February 2021, a source told Us that Clare and Dale were “figuring things out and enjoying spending time together” after their brief split. Several months later, another insider told Us that they weren’t in a “rush to tie the knot” or plan a wedding, but they were “engaged” again.

“They’re still working on some issues they have to overcome but it’s not like they make it known,” the second source said. “They’re more private when it comes to their issues. The good thing is that they’re happy together and enjoying this time as an engaged couple. They love each other very much and care for each other."

Credit: Courtesy Clare Crawley/Instagram

Done for the 2nd Time

While the twosome appeared to be on good terms when they stepped out at the U.S. Open in early September 2021, speculation that things were rocky surfaced later that month when Clare missed Dale’s birthday bash and didn’t attend a wedding with Dale. Us confirmed on September 28, 2021, that they were over again.

“It was best for them to go their separate ways at this time. They will still support each other and have love for each other no matter what,” a source told Us, noting that “they have different visions” for their futures. “Wedding planning wasn’t happening which made Clare really upset. She wants to be in Sacramento to be close to her family, especially her mom who isn’t well. Dale wants to remain in NY. They will still support each other and have love for each other no matter what.”

Credit: ABC/Craig Sjodin

Behind Closed Doors

Amid their split, a source told Us that Dale visited Clare and her ill mother in Sacramento, California, on September 28, 2021. One day later, he flew to Los Angeles for a work event.

Credit: ABC/Lorenzo Bevilaqua; Sara Jaye Weiss/Shutterstock

Clare Throws Shade

After news of their second split broke, Clare took to Instagram to throw shade — and sparked speculation about Abigail Heringer’s connection to the couple by tagging the Bachelor in Paradise season 7 star in her Instagram post.

“I hate that I even have to say this, but in response to all the questions that are coming my way right now … I’m choosing not to speak right now on the details of my relationship, because at the end of the day anyone can put on an ACT or throw words together to form any narrative they want,” Clare wrote on September 30, 2021. “What I will speak on is emotionally and physically I’m going through a lot with healing from my recent [breast implant removal] surgery still, and my mother being placed on hospice care now. So my energy is focused on grieving, healing, and being present at home here in Sacramento while trying to share and help others going through similar life experiences as I’m sharing today. I am just thankful for the people in my life who offer genuine unconditional love with no personal gain, and stand by me through thick and thin. ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CAMERAS ARE OFF with no accolades. Actions speak for themselves.”

Credit: ABC/Shutterstock

The Abigail of It All

According to one insider, Dale and Abigail “hooked up” when she was “under the impression that he and Clare weren’t serious” anymore. Another source, however, denied that their relationship was anything but platonic. “They met once at flag football in New York City that a bunch of Bachelor people attended. Everyone went to a bar after, they did not sleep together. He’s never cheated on Clare,” the second source said in October 2021. “They never kissed or had sex. Dale is friends with Abigail.”

Amid the speculation, Abigail’s BiP love interest Noah Erb seemingly weighed in via Instagram Stories, telling his followers, “So, I just checked my phone and I saw some DMs and some spoiler accounts and a lot of interesting stuff swirling around. Huh.” Some fans speculated that she was laughing in the background of the clip.

Credit: Courtesy of Dale Moss/Instagram

On Bad Terms?

In addition to no longer keeping up with Dale on social media, Clare revealed she was going through a rough time on October 3, 2021.

“One thing I refuse to do though is stay down. I’ll be dammed if I let it all take me out, so amidst all this, I’m taking steps even if [they] are small,” she wrote via Instagram Stories. “I will feed myself the right food, drink some water and handle it the best I know how. I want you to know the messages of support + love from my Insta fam haven’t gone unnoticed.”