The Bachelor and The Bachelorette franchises are incredibly successful, so it might surprise some to learn there are a number of celebrities who have actually turned down the chance to be the next Bachelor or Bachelorette. Despite the success of both shows — and what massive moneymakers they are — not every public figure is keen on finding true love on a reality show. Roberts Mills, an ABC network executive, recently revealed there is a hefty list of famous people who have turned down the opportunity over the years — and some have even done so more than once.
Though most typically the roles of Bachelor and Bachelorette are offered to previous contestants, the network has actually pitched to a number of celebrities its executives thought would make great fodder for Bachelor Nation fans. Many, of course, were already — or have since become — reality TV stars, but athletes, comedians, and legitimate actors have all been courted by the shows' casting directors (or rumored to have been).
We're not sure if the shows would be quite as believable if the contestants were vying for the affections of real-life celebs, but it would definitely be interesting if they managed to nab a more well-known face for the fierce dating competition. Keep reading to find out what could have been if these celebrities hadn't turned down being the next Bachelor or Bachelorette.
Chrishell Stause
Robert Mills specifically mentioned that, about a decade ago, he had a lunch meeting with Chrishell Stause, who was still working on the soap opera All My Children at the time. Chrishell didn't end up as the Bachelorette, but she did end up on reality TV. The actress went on to star on the Netflix hit Selling Sunset and is fox trotting along on the season of Dancing With the Stars.
Ivanka Trump
Back in 2007, now-President Donald Trump's daughter said in an interview that she's been offered a number of television shows, including The Bachelorette. "I'm flattered, but that in no way furthers my objective of being a great real estate developer," she told People magazine. Of course, these days, she works as an advisor to the president.
Jonathan Scott
Bachelor Nation clearly has a thing for people in real estate. Celebrity real estate developer of Property Brothers fame, Jonathan Scott, has been offered the show multiple times. "Jonathan has been pitched like, I think four times now, been approached to be the Bachelor. He don't need that," said his brother and business partner, Drew.
Kim Zolciak-Biermann
OG reality show star Kim Zolciak-Biermann was offered The Bachelorette some time ago but decided not to pursue it. "I was asked to do The Bachelorette, you know that? Like, probably many years ago," Kim told Heather McDonald on the Juicy Scoop podcast back in 2018, mentioning that the show might be a good fit for her daughter, Brielle.
Charlie Ebersol
Television producer Charlie Ebersol, who once dated Britney Spears, got a phone call offering him the gig. "They asked me to do The Bachelor a bunch of years ago and it was the most awkward phone call I have ever been a part of in my entire life," he said. "There's no way in hell I'm ever doing it," he continued. Charlie is now married with three children.
Ryan Lochte
Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte — who was once known as a bit of a bad boy — was at one time considered for The Bachelor. In 2012, he was apparently one of three men up for the spot, but didn't make the cut in the end. (That season went to Sean Lowe.) Ryan has been married to his wife, Kayla, for two years, and the couple have a young son together.
Bobby Bones
Radio and television personality Bobby Bones, who has worked on Dancing With the Stars and American Idol, could have been the next Bachelor. He revealed on his radio show, The Bobby Bones Show, that he got a call asking if he was interested, and he declined … because he wasn't comfortable with the terms of the offer.
Kaley Cuoco
The Bachelorette host Chris Harrison once said he'd love to have adorably funny actress Kaley Cuoco on the show. "It's hard to find a good single celebrity anymore," he said. Well, Kaley was never on the show, and she's now been married for two years — so that one definitely didn't work out. We'd watch her in anything.
Tyler Cameron
OK, so technically, most of Tyler's fame stems from his stint as a contestant on season 15 of The Bachelorette, so perhaps surprisingly Tyler actually turned down a chance to be the Bachelor himself. "Where I was at in my life … I just didn't think it was where I wanted to be. My heart wasn't in it," he told Entertainment Tonight.
Peter Kraus
Another alum of The Bachelorette, Peter Kraus definitely gained a bit of fame from his spot as runner-up on Rachel Lindsay's season of the show. Fans loved him so much that he's apparently been offered The Bachelor three times. He's turned it down every time, instead choosing to focus on opening and running his own business.
Tana Mongeau
YouTube star Tana Mongeau, who is known for her comedic videos — and "storytimes" during which she divulges all manner of personal information — once shared a video claiming that a casting director from The Bachelorette called her and offered her a million dollars to be on the show. She says she declined, but some of her followers are skeptical because she was only 19 at the time and Bachelor Nation contestants have to be 21.
Honorable Mention: Amy Schumer
Though now a happily married mama, comedian Amy Schumer once claimed she would be happy to be on The Bachelorette. Back in 2015, after a guest appearance on the show, Amy said she would totally do it for "a lot of money," if she were allowed to be herself and some changes were made to the casting process. Wills later tweeted Amy an offer, but she never made it back to the show, so it goes without saying that she did not accept.
Honorable Mention: Pattie Mallette
Yup, as in Justin Bieber's mom. Apparently, she's a big fan of the show. Pattie, who has actually never been married, tweeted the following back in 2013. "Who will be the next Bachelorette? Me perhaps?? Hmmmmm…" The tweet got her followers worked up, but nothing ever became of it.
Honorable Mention: John Mayer
Back in February 2017, musician John Mayer called himself a superfan of The Bachelor during an appearance on The Ellen Show. "I think it would be really fun to be the bachelor," he said, admitting that he didn't think he'd be able to find love unless they "changed the vetting process." We can only guess why he thinks it would be fun [insert eye roll].
Honorable Mention: January Jones
Back in 2017, Mad Men actress January Jones told talk show host James Corden that she would love to be the "the Bachelorette" but was advised against it by her publicist. She's a huge fan of the show and actually dated "Bachelor" Nick Viall a few times after he DMed her. Now that's some juicy gossip.
