Falling in love and falling apart since 2002.
Across the long and dramatic history of “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette,” the only emotion more prevalent than heartbreak might very well be sheer cringe.
Viewers watched on as contestants offered up embarrassing admissions, got brutally dumped with the cameras rolling and were caught in sneaky lies. Fan favorites were let go, and villains returned. But Bachelor Nation stayed true, even after what might have been the worst season ever with Juan Pablo Galavis.
Here’s a look back at the biggest blunders from “Bachelor” and “Bachelorettes” past.
Arie Luyendyk Jr. became the most hated bachelor in ‘Bachelor’ history
‘The Bachelor,’ season 22
The race car-driving silver fox ignited the interest of Bachelor Nation when he came in hot as one of the older bachelors to grace the show at age 36. But he lost the respect of fans when he pulled the old switcheroo after proposing to contestant Rebecca “Becca” Kufrin during the season finale, only to regret his decision and take the ring back during a heated scene that was caught on camera.
He then turned around and proposed to runner-up Lauren Burnham.
Everything about Corinne Olympios
‘The Bachelor,’ season 21
The breakout contestant vying for bachelor Nick Viall’s heart quickly made a name for herself throughout the season as the most aggressive — and villainous — lady in the mansion. She frequently slept through rose ceremonies because she was too tired and tried to seduce Viall with whipped cream while wearing nothing but a trench coat. But the biggest shock came when Olympios admitted that at 24-years-old she was cared for by a nanny named Raquel.
Ben Higgins dropped the L-bomb to two women
‘The Bachelor,’ season 20
What’s typically considered a big no-no in the bachelor universe seemed to fly over Higgins’ head when he said “I love you” to two of the final three contestants before popping the question to Lauren Bushnell. He admitted his feelings to both Bushnell and JoJo Fletcher. In a later interview with E! News, Higgins said that “I don’t know of a rule book, maybe there is one, maybe fans out there are hiding…I keep hearing he broke all the rules. I didn’t know there were rules to this.”
Peter Weber is a butterfingers bachelor
‘The Bachelor,’ season 24
The most recent bachelor, Peter Weber, had more than his fair share of hiccups, but perhaps most ridiculous was when he banged his head on a golf cart and rammed it into a glass he was holding. He had to get 22 stitches on his forehead and spent much of the season with a distracting skin-colored bandage on his head. Chris Harrison, who was moonlighting as an anonymous source, cheekily admitted in a clip aired on the show that Weber was the “clumsiest bachelor or bachelorette that we’ve ever had.”
No commitment from Colton Underwood
‘The Bachelor,’ season 23
Underwood — whose biggest claim to fame was being a virgin — became the second bachelor in history to not propose during the final rose ceremony. The former football player was dumped by his first choice Cassie Randolph and was left with Tayshia Adams and Hannah Godwin. But when the final ceremony rolled around, he ditched them both to go after Randolph for a second chance. The pair ended up dating for about two years.
Juan Pablo Galavis’ entire season
‘The Bachelor,’ season 18
“Es okay,” public enemy number one of reality TV (a k a the less-than-charming Juan Pablo) isn’t heading back to the small screen anytime soon. At least we hope not after his disastrous season.
Jake Pavelka and Vienna Girardi’s on-air breakup
‘The Bachelor,’ season 14
Like most “Bachelor” and “Bachelorette” couples, the on-air lust doesn’t tend to last once the cameras stop rolling. Just look at the doomed courtship of Jake Pavelka and Vienna Girardi.
After calling it quits, the duo not only sold one another out to the tabloids, but took part in a tension-fueled interview with series host Chris Harrison.
Bentley Williams bashes ‘Bachelorette’ Ashley Hebert behind her back
‘The Bachelorette,’ season 7
Before finding her happily ever after on the seventh season of “The Bachelorette,” Ashley Hebert had to kiss a few frogs to find her prince. Among the toads, Bentley Williams.
The Salt Lake City “businessman” admitted that he’d “rather swim in pee than plan a wedding with her.” Eww!
Rozlyn Papa mixes business with pleasure
‘The Bachelor,’ season 14
During season 14 of “The Bachelor,” Jake Pavelka thought every woman on the show was vying for his affection. He was right, except when it came to contestant Rozlyn Papa. The blonde bombshell was rumored to be getting her flirt on with a producer behind the scenes.
Jason Mesnick ditches Melissa Rycroft during ‘After the Final Rose’
‘The Bachelor,’ season 13
What’s worse than an on-air breakup (see Jake Pavelka and Vienna Girardi)? Try having your fiancé dump you for another woman with the cameras still rolling.
Season 13 winner Melissa Rycroft learned the hard way when “Bachelor” Jason Mesnick admitted that he still had feelings for contestant Molly Malaney, despite putting a ring on Melissa’s finger.
Ali Fedotowsky confronts a two-timing contestant
‘The Bachelorette,’ season 6
Before Ali Fedotowsky became an E! News darling, she was just another “Bachelorette” hoping to find love on reality TV.
Though Ali came on the show single and ready to mingle, one of the contestants was already in a serious relationship. Upon discovering this shocking secret, Ali confronted Justin Rego (i.e. the cheater) head on.
Emily tells Kalon to get the eff out
‘The Bachelorette,’ season 8
Some of the “Bachelors” and “Bachelorettes” aren’t just on the show for themselves, but for their families (i.e. children). When season 8 contestant Kalon McMahon dubbed Emily Maynard’s daughter Ricki “baggage,” the “Bachelorette” let him have it while the other suitors looked on. Awkward!
Courtney Robertson and Ben Flajnik go for a late-night dip
‘The Bachelor,’ season 16
“Bachelor” alum Courtney Robertson is known for two things: One, for being the most-hated contestant of season 16, and two, for her skinny-dipping rendezvous with Ben Flajnik in Puerto Rico.
Girl knew how to win over her man . . . and how to get America talking.
Brad Womack is better off alone
‘The Bachelor,’ season 11
While most seasons of “The Bachelor” or “The Bachelorette” end with an engagement, there are some exceptions to the rule. Case in point, the jaw-dropping finale to Brad Womack’s first season on “The Bachelor.”
Instead of popping the question to one of the final two contestants, DeAnna Pappas and Jenni Croft, Brad let them both go.
