Every Time ‘Bachelor’ and ‘Bachelorette’ Contestants Have Walked Away Before the Final Rose Ceremony

Credit: ABC (4)

Every Time ‘Bachelor’ and ‘Bachelorette’ Contestants Have Walked Away Before the Final Rose Ceremony

Not a fan of roses! The premise of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette has stayed the same since the ABC dating series began in 2002, but not all of the contestants have played by the rules. If the show goes according to plan, 25 to 30 men or women begin the journey to find love each season and by the season finale, the lead chooses one person to get engaged to — and hands out the final rose. Over the past few decades, however, the ABC series has seen its fair share of individuals switch things up and walk off the show on their own terms. There have been 15 women who’ve left The Bachelor before the final rose ceremony and seven men who’ve walked out of The Bachelorette in the past — all of which surprised fans and the show’s lead. On season 23 of The Bachelor, which aired in 2019, four women made the choice to leave Colton Underwood in the lurch. His final pick, Cassie Randolph, even tried to bail before he confessed that she was The One. During the fantasy suite episode, Randolph told Underwood that “I’m not in love” and eliminated herself from the competition, causing him to famously jump the fence. The two later agreed to continue their journey together, meet his parents in Spain, and Randolph accepted his final rose in the finale — but that was the only time in Bachelor Nation that someone left and then actually won. [jwplayer CYrAsNEy-l3ahXupL] Andi Dorfman opted to end her search for romance during the fantasy suites episode of season 18 of the series — she later became the Bachelorette — during one of the most frustrating breakups the show has seen. After Juan Pablo Galavis tried to reassure Dorfman that “it’s OK” — which was his catchphrase during the season — the lawyer shut him down before heading home. “It shouldn’t just be OK. It’s not OK. When you say it’s OK, it bothers me,” she said to him at the time. “I want to die if I have to hear 'It’s OK' again. I can’t handle it!” Two big departures on the female-led spinoff were season 9’s Brooks Forester and season 6’s Frank Neuschaefer. Forester walked out on Desiree Hartsock just days before the final rose ceremony in 2013. At the time, he was the front-runner, but after leaving she chose Chris Siegfried as the winner. The two wed in 2015 and share two children. Neuschaefer had an even more dramatic conversation with Ali Fedotowsky when he took himself out of the game in Tahiti with only three men remaining. At the time, he revealed he still had feelings for an ex-girlfriend, which broke the Massachusetts native’s heart. Scroll down to see all of the shocking self-eliminations in Bachelor and Bachelorette history. [podcast_block]

Credit: ABC (4)

Every Time ‘Bachelor’ and ‘Bachelorette’ Contestants Have Walked Away Before the Final Rose Ceremony

Not a fan of roses! The premise of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette has stayed the same since the ABC dating series began in 2002, but not all of the contestants have played by the rules. If the show goes according to plan, 25 to 30 men or women begin the journey to find love each season and by the season finale, the lead chooses one person to get engaged to — and hands out the final rose. Over the past few decades, however, the ABC series has seen its fair share of individuals switch things up and walk off the show on their own terms. There have been 15 women who’ve left The Bachelor before the final rose ceremony and seven men who’ve walked out of The Bachelorette in the past — all of which surprised fans and the show’s lead. On season 23 of The Bachelor, which aired in 2019, four women made the choice to leave Colton Underwood in the lurch. His final pick, Cassie Randolph, even tried to bail before he confessed that she was The One. During the fantasy suite episode, Randolph told Underwood that “I’m not in love” and eliminated herself from the competition, causing him to famously jump the fence. The two later agreed to continue their journey together, meet his parents in Spain, and Randolph accepted his final rose in the finale — but that was the only time in Bachelor Nation that someone left and then actually won. [jwplayer CYrAsNEy-l3ahXupL] Andi Dorfman opted to end her search for romance during the fantasy suites episode of season 18 of the series — she later became the Bachelorette — during one of the most frustrating breakups the show has seen. After Juan Pablo Galavis tried to reassure Dorfman that “it’s OK” — which was his catchphrase during the season — the lawyer shut him down before heading home. “It shouldn’t just be OK. It’s not OK. When you say it’s OK, it bothers me,” she said to him at the time. “I want to die if I have to hear 'It’s OK' again. I can’t handle it!” Two big departures on the female-led spinoff were season 9’s Brooks Forester and season 6’s Frank Neuschaefer. Forester walked out on Desiree Hartsock just days before the final rose ceremony in 2013. At the time, he was the front-runner, but after leaving she chose Chris Siegfried as the winner. The two wed in 2015 and share two children. Neuschaefer had an even more dramatic conversation with Ali Fedotowsky when he took himself out of the game in Tahiti with only three men remaining. At the time, he revealed he still had feelings for an ex-girlfriend, which broke the Massachusetts native’s heart. Scroll down to see all of the shocking self-eliminations in Bachelor and Bachelorette history. [podcast_block]

Credit: ABC/Ricky Middlesworth

Salley Carson

The season 26 contestant told the cameras she felt more emotional than she expected during the January 3 premiere, confessing that filming began on the weekend she planned to marry ex-fiancé Avery Buchholz. She went to lead Clayton Echard's room before the limo arrivals, telling him that she was uncertain whether she could go through with the season. He gave her a rose, telling Salley he was hopeful about their chemistry, but she ultimately rejected him and went home.

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Michael Allio (Bachelorette Season 17)

The single dad walked away from Katie Thurston during the 2021 season after his son, James, FaceTimed him wondering where he was. “I always go back to that day when I had to say bye to Katie. It’s not something I wanted to do but as a parent, [it was an] easy decision. I would do it a million times again, just like I did there without thinking twice,” Michael told Us in July 2021 about his decision to quit ahead of the hometown dates.

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Greg Grippo (Bachelorette Season 17)

Katie’s “front-runner” Greg quit the show after he felt she “dismissed” his feelings during their emotional hometown date.

“I don’t give a f—k about the rose. I was just telling you that you filled a hole in my heart,” he said during the August 2021 episode. “I’ve never given up on you. I’ve fought so hard for you here … As much as it hurts me, I’ve reached my breaking point with this. I gave you everything. I really hope you find something.”

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Sarah Trott (Season 25 Bachelor)

The season 25 contestant, who scored the second one-on-one date with Matt James, quit during week 3 amid backlash from the other women. During a January 2021 episode of the series, Sarah came under fire for crashing a group date for extra time with Matt. After the other women refused to accept her apology, she hid in her room for two days and ultimately left the show to be with her father, who is battling ALS.

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Serena Pitt (Season 25 Bachelor)

The season 25 contestant walked away from Matt after he met her mother during the February 2021 hometown date. "I think when I first became aware of those feelings was when I talked to my mom. I was able to sit there and say, 'Matt has everything I would want in a husband, and he makes me feel so special and valued' … but when it came to being able to share my feelings for you, I really struggled," she told the Bachelor, who was shocked. "I think if I'm being honest with myself, it's more than that. And I think it just comes down to the fact that I don't think that you're my person.”

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Brendan Morais (Season 16 Bachelorette)

During part one of the season 16 finale, which aired in December 2020, Brendan got spooked after he and Tayshia Adams met with Neil Lane to look at rings. He subsequently admitted that he wasn’t ready to commit after his divorce and left before their fantasy suite date.

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Madison Prewett (Season 24 Bachelor)

Following their fantasy suite date, which ended in Prewett not knowing what her future with Peter Weber looked like, things got even rockier for the pair on season 24 of The Bachelor. Despite seemingly getting on the same page ahead of their final one-on-one date together in Australia, the Alabama native ended up sending herself home after realizing that she and the pilot were very different people and admitting that it was finally time to “surrender.” During the second night of the two-day finale, fans saw Weber propose to Hannah Ann Sluss, but during After the Final Rose, viewers learned that the couple had split and Weber instead focused back on his romance with Prewett.

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Cassie Randolph (Season 23 Bachelor)

The California native chose to send herself home during season 23 of The Bachelor during the fantasy suite episode. Her decision came after her father expressed his disapproval of the couple’s relationship. “I can definitely see us working forever,” Bachelor Colton Underwood admitted during the episode. “I feel like my whole life has been leading to tonight because I love Cassie. I want to be with Cassie. My heart is complete when I think of Cassie.” Randolph still left, however, and then Underwood jumped the fence out of frustration. The former football player eventually convinced Randolph to continue their journey and she won the final rose.

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Sydney Lotuaco (Season 23 Bachelor)

During Underwood’s season, the professional NBA dancer eliminated herself once she realized that the former athlete wasn’t really interested in pursuing a relationship with her. “With the choices you’ve been making, you’re taking a lot of easier choices with the people you’re pursuing. If that’s what you’re looking for, great, do that, go after that,” she told Underwood at the time. “There are some very wonderful people in that group. Find them. Figure out who they are. Don’t be distracted by shiny things.”

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Heather Martin (Season 23 Bachelor)

After having her first kiss ever with the show’s leading man, Martin left the competition ahead of hometowns. “You’re something so special,” she told him before walking away. “But right now, I just don’t think it’s fair to you.”

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Elyse Dehlbom (Season 23 The Bachelor)

Dehlbom was frustrated with the show’s structure and her lack of one-on-one time with Underwood, so she cut herself lose. “I literally can’t accept a proposal after a few months of sharing your time and attention with other people. I can’t do it,” she said after taking part in another group date in Thailand.

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Clay Harbor (Season 14 Bachelorette)

The NFL player was injured during a group date on season 14 of The Bachelorette. Once he learned he needed surgery, he had to walk away from Becca Kufrin and the show to make sure he would be able to play in the future.

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Jacqueline Trumbull (Season 22 Bachelor)

While competing for Arie Luyendyk Jr.’s heart on season 22 of the series, Trumbull realized that her life plan didn’t align with the Arizona native. Instead of prolonging the inevitable she walked away. “There have been these swirling doubts since then, and I’m worried I’m going to end up in Scottsdale with you, married, wondering how did we get here because we didn’t have the base or foundation,” she explained at the time. “I just know there are women here who are completely confident, and I don’t know how to stay when that’s the case.”

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Lace Morris (Season 20 Bachelor)

Morris was one of two women who left Ben Higgins’ season of The Bachelor early. She revealed she need to work on herself before she could be in a relationship. “I feel like going home would be easier to continue to work on myself and better myself,” she said. “You can’t love someone else until you truly love yourself, and I don’t know if I truly love myself yet.”

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Lauren Barr (Season 20 Bachelor)

Barr walked away from the dating show during week two of season 20. Her reasoning for heading home so early was that she couldn’t handle the environment of the mansion. “It’s really hard for me to be here,” the Oklahoma native admitted before saying goodbye.

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Megan Bell (Season 19 Bachelor)

Even though the contestant had a good one-on-one date with Chris Soules during season 19 of the series, she ultimately didn’t see a future with the farmer, so she checked out a few weeks later.

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Brady Toops (Season 11 Bachelorette)

When ABC decided to have two Bachelorettes for the beginning of season 11 — it was a faceoff between Britt Nilsson and Kaitlyn Bristowe — Toops bared his soul following Nilsson’s departure as the lead. He told Bristowe that his heart was with Nilsson so he took himself out of the running for her heart on night one. He and Nilsson then dated for a few months before calling it quits.

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Ronald “Ron” Worrell (Season 10 Bachelorette)

Worrell went home early during season 10 of the show due to a friend’s death.

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Andi Dorfman (Season 18 Bachelor)

The lawyer eliminated herself after the fantasy suite episode of season 18 of The Bachelor. She admitted that she realized that “it wasn’t going to work” between her and Galavis before going off on the Bachelor, who kept saying “it’s OK” in regard to all of her concerns and issues. “I want to die if I have to hear ‘It’s OK' again, I can’t handle it,” she said during the pair’s heart-to-heart.

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Sharleen Joynt (Season 18 Bachelor)

Before Dorfman dumped Galavis, Joynt took herself out of the running as well. After her one-on-one date with the former soccer player, the opera singer came to the conclusion that “the idea of a proposal doesn’t seem like something that is possible” for her to achieve. “I don’t want you to think that I’ve wasted your time,” she added before leaving.

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Bryden Vukasin (Season 9 Bachelorette)

Midway through Desiree Hartsock’s season of The Bachelorette, Vukasin opted to go home after he realized that the two were more like friends than romantically connected.

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Brooks Forester (Season 9 Bachelorette)

What a doozy! Forester told Hartsock he was heading home days before she was supposed to pick her final suitor. “I really want to be madly in love with you,” he said during their breakup. “I’m sorry.”

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Katie Levans (Season 17 Bachelor)

The yoga instructor didn’t feel comfortable with the show’s process, so she walked out during the second week of season 17. Although she seemed to hit it off with Sean Lowe, she was ultimately not made for the environment.

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Brittney Schreiner (Season 16 Bachelor)

This one was rough! Schreiner received a one-on-one date card during Ben Flajnik’s season of The Bachelor, but instead of going on the date, she went home. She was even gifted a necklace with the date card but packed her bags just the same.

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Bentley Williams (Season 7 Bachelorette)

Williams is one of Bachelor Nation’s biggest villains, but fans still didn’t see his departure coming during season 7 of the show. He dropped out during week three, but made sure to throw a few daggers at Ashley Hebert on his way out. “The guys know I’m a front-runner, but none of them have any idea that I don’t care about Ashley. I had the opportunity and I played everyone,” he said in the confessional. “Ashley is not the girl I’m smitten by, but definitely the type of girl I’d hook up with now and then.”

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Madison Garton (Season 15 Bachelor)

Garton surprised viewers when she walked out during the rose ceremony one week. “I wouldn’t feel right tomorrow if I was here and a girl went home, putting everything on the line and putting her heart on the line for you,” she told Brad Womack at the time. “So, I’d rather go home tonight.”

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Frank Neuschaefer (Season 6 Bachelorette)

While getting ready to pick her final man, Ali Fedotowsky was blindsided when Neuschaefer told her he was leaving. He admitted that before flying to Tahiti for the fantasy suite date, he stopped in Chicago to see his ex, and as soon as he saw her “all the old feelings kinda came rushing back,” he admitted. She told him he was “the biggest jerk” she’d ever known before letting him go.

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Ali Fedotowsky (Season 14 Bachelor)

During season 14 of The Bachelor, the future Bachelorette chose her career over Jake Pavelka. After Fedotowsky showed the Bachelor around her hometown, she broke things off because she was told she’d lose her job if she didn’t come back immediately. While driving away she asked if she’d made the right choice.