Host Chris Harrison calls every season of The Bachelor "the most dramatic ever," but this one really has been. Every week it seems like there's a new scandal stemming from Matt James' season — from his contestants bullying each other to the racist actions of one contestant and the host's attempt to excuse it. Yeah, there's a lot to unpack there.
No Bachelor or Bachelorette season is completely free from scandal. There are often contestants who get cast despite troubling histories or events that unfold during filming that are upsetting to watch. But Matt's season started out kind of chaotic and just continued to get more so each week. To be clear, really none of this is Matt's fault. Dude just wanted to fall in love and he ended up in this mess.
Here are the 15 wildest moments from season 25 — and it's not even over yet.
Cynthia Rowley's Daughter Getting Cast
When Matt James' cast list was announced, people quickly realized that there was a celebrity on the list — well the daughter of a celebrity. Fashion designer Cynthia Rowley's 21-year-old daughter Kit Keenan was part of the cast vying for Matt's heart. Usually a lot of contestants go on the show for the Instagram fame and sponsorships it will bring them, but Kit was already way ahead of the game having grown up in the limelight thanks to her mom.
Katie Showing Up With a Sex Toy
Bachelor contestants have to make a lasting impression when they first step out of the limos on night one, but Katie Thurston took things to a whole new level. She joked to Matt that she wanted him to meet something that helped her get through quarantine, and then she pulled out her vibrator. It definitely made an impression on Matt, and he ended up keeping her around for several weeks.
Sarah Fainting During a Rose Ceremony …
She may have already had a rose, but the pressure got to Sarah Trott anyway during a dramatic rose ceremony. She started to feel faint and had to leave the ceremony to sit down because she was blacking out. It was a pretty chaotic interruption, but after a few moments she was able to rejoin the production.
… And Then Quitting Shortly After
The rose ceremony hiccup wouldn't be the last dramatic moment for Sarah on the show. Soon after, she decided to quit the show entirely. She did so in large part because she was being mercilessly bullied by many of the other contestants, but also because her dad was ill and she didn't want to be away from him any longer. Before her exit, Matt had already taken her on a one-on-one date and was developing strong feelings for her, so he was blindsided by her decision.
Five Contestants Joining the Show Midway Through
After Sarah left, The Bachelor production team decided to bring on five new contestants to replace her. This was midway through filming, so the last-minute addition upset many of the original contestants in the house. Some, like Victoria Larson and Anna Redman, took to bullying the new women. It made the filming environment extremely uncomfortable for everyone.
Anna Accusing Brittany of Being an Escort
One of the new contestants was Brittany Galvin, whom Anna Redman immediately decided she didn't like. Anna started gossiping to all the other houseguests claiming that her friends back home had warned her about Brittany. She even alleged that Brittany was an escort, a rumor that Brittany denied as soon as she heard. During the Women Tell All special, Anna apologized for her pot-stirring actions.
Just Victoria's Entire Existence on the Show
Although there were many contestants on Matt's season who needlessly attacked their fellow cast members, Victoria Larson was one of the worst offenders. She frequently picked fights with the women of color on the show, and she stole Catalina Morales' Miss Universe Puerto Rico crown right off Catalina's head. Victoria kind of attempted an apology for some of her actions during the Women Tell All special, but during said apology she also accused Ryan Claytor of being too "sensitive". (Ryan was upset that Victoria called her a "ho.")
Basically, every moment Victoria was on the show was wild from start to finish. She was a Bachelor villain unlike any other.
Heather Renting a Minivan & Crashing the Show
Then, a sixth late arrival also tried to make her way onto the show. Heather Martin, who previously competed on Colton Underwood's Bachelor season, is friends with Matt's good friend Hannah Brown. Apparently Heather had heard from Hannah that he was a great guy, and Heather decided she just had to meet Matt. So she rented a minivan and showed up. But then host Chris Harrison made her quarantine before she could enter the show's filming area, so her late arrival was even further delayed.
Matt Straight-Up Laughing When Heather Showed Up
After dealing with so many twists and turns — between Sarah leaving, new contestants showing up, and the rampant bullying on his season — Matt seemed totally overwhelmed when Heather walked through those doors. He straight up couldn't stop laughing in disbelief. Poor Heather just wanted a chance, but Matt sent her home, saying he just needed to continue his journey with the women who were already there. It was so uncomfortable to watch.
Katie & Matt's 'Prank' on Tyler Cameron
Matt's best friend, Tyler Cameron, came to visit midway through filming, so Matt decided to prank him. Matt planned a date with Katie where the two of them would feed instructions to a fake masseuse while Tyler was getting what he believed to be a normal massage. Since Tyler hadn't consented to being touched by an actress as part of a prank, many felt that the joke crossed a line. But Tyler did seem to think it was funny when Matt and Katie surprised him.
Rachael's Past Racist Actions Coming to Light
All the other wild moments of the season pale in comparison to what ended up happening with Rachael Kirkconnell, and then with host Chris Harrison. Everything started when photos were unearthed of Rachael attending an "Old South" plantation-themed party. Fans were upset that with all the racial implications of that kind of an event, Rachael attended anyway — and then went on to date the first Black Bachelor. She reportedly also "liked" Confederate flag posts on TikTok and dressed in culturally appropriative costumes.
Rachael later apologized, saying, "I was ignorant, but my ignorance was racist. I am sorry to the communities and individuals that my actions harmed and offended … I deserve to be held accountable for my actions. I will never grow unless I recognize what I have done is wrong. I don't think one apology means that I deserve your forgiveness, but rather I hope I can earn your forgiveness through my future actions."
Chris Harrison Trying to Excuse Racism …
Things went from bad to worse when Chris Harrison attempted to defend Rachael's past. While on Extra with former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay, the host mocked "woke" culture and tried to excuse racism, particularly with regard to Rachael's actions. He was combative and rude during the interview, repeatedly interrupting and talking over Rachel Lindsay — a Black woman whose perspective on the issue he should have listened to.
… And Later Temporarily Stepping Down
The blowback to Chris' interview was immediate. The host soon apologized on Instagram, but the furor continued. Eventually, he said he would temporarily step down from the show, including not hosting the finale special, so as not to distract from the series.
"This historic season of The Bachelor should not be marred or overshadowed by my mistakes or diminished by my actions," Chris said. "By excusing historical racism, I defended it … I am ashamed over how uninformed I was. I was so wrong. To the Black community, to the BIPOC community: I am sorry. My words were harmful. I am listening, and I truly apologize for my ignorance and any pain it caused you."
On his place, the finale special will be hosted by NFL star Emmanuel Acho.
Matt Responding to … Everything
Between Rachael's actions and Chris', Matt felt that he couldn't continue on without addressing everything. He posted a lengthy Instagram message where he expressed his feelings about what transpired. He called the photos of Rachael "incredibly disappointing" and called Chris' interview "troubling." He added, "It was a clear reflection of a much larger issue that The Bachelor franchise has fallen short on addressing adequately for years."
Matt Finding Out He Kisses With His Eyes Open
On a lighter note, there was another wild part of this season that fans noticed while watching. Matt kisses with his eyes open. During the Women Tell All special, they played a montage of these moments, and Matt revealed that he hadn't actually realized it was a problem until he went on the show. At least he knows now!
