Photo by @makingkendra on iG

Gone are the days of going on TV purely for love. It seems Bachelor contestants are rising in star power with each passing season. And not just basic Instagram fame. People are literally dating celebrities (shoutout Tyler & Gigi + Mike & Demi), creating actual businesses and apparently winning Dancing with the Stars! Yes, if you haven’t heard, Hannah Brown, a former contestant on Colton Underwood’s season of The Bachelor and the most recent Bachelorette that got her heart stomped on by Jedd, just won Dancing with the Stars.

But she’s not the first contestant to go on the dancing franchise. The show has seen the likes of Grocery Store Joe, Trista Sutter from the first season of The Bachelorette, Melissa Rycroft, the annoying Jake Pavelka, Sean Lowe, Chris Soules, and Nick Viall. But no one has ever scooped up the Mirror Ball. Seeing as the show’s winner has the highest combined total of judges scores and viewer votes, it’s safe to say that Hannah Alabama can dance but she is also a favorite in the homes of America. The fact that she won silicifies the endless possibilities The Bachelor franchises offer contestants moving forward.

Tyler Cameron from Hannah B’s season is a legit celebrity now. He’s dated Gigi Hadid and is now dating Kylie’s BFF Stasi. So, he’s famous by association I guess. But this season of The Bachelorette has seen its most famous person yet in Mr. Cameron, wouldn’t ya say? And now Hannah has won Dancing With the Star. It seems like a whole new world for The Bachelor franchise contestants.

When did this switch happen?

It’s pretty insane when you think about where the show started. Or really just think back a few years before Instagram was really a thing. Contestants went on the show and then we never heard from them again. Especially if they weren’t the lead or at least runner-up, there was no way we’d remember them (unless they went on Bachelor Pad but that didn’t make them relevant in pop culture, really). But now, once they leave the show, there’s almost a guarantee if they play their cards right, they can at least maintain relevancy with Sugar Bear Hair ads on Instagram.

It seems the possibilities are endless these days for Bachelor contestants and I’m pretty sure they’re catching on. But there is obviously a reason these new Bachelor contestants are being thrust into fame after their tenure on the franchise.

Why is this happening?

Bachelor contestants are becoming modern-day celebrities just for dressing up in dolphin costumes (shoutout Alexis) and strutting around foreign countries handing out roses. But these are some reasons we actually care about Bachelor franchise contestants.

1. They’re already influencers

Contestants like Hannah Godwin came on the show with hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram so I mean, it’s likely that she probably came on the show to get more followers. I’m not saying she wasn’t genuinely interested in Colton but TV is a great opportunity to get your name out there these days so we can’t blame these guys for trying to boost their own name while looking for love.

2. They’re basically children

Bachelor producers are hiring the youngest people possible for this show. Contestants are skewing younger 20’s, like under 25 years old, and they are acting like they’re so desperate to find love. It’s funny actually. I understand that young people coupled with booze equals great television but the apparent younger age of the contestants has to have an effect on what happens with brand deals after the show. The younger they are, the more open they are to accept whatever deals come their way.

Things have definitely adapted to the times in the past few years. With Instagram and producers looking to get high ratings. There’s a mix of people looking for love and people looking for their next career move. Either way, it all makes for good television so I’m not complaining. But the show has changed — for the good, right?

3. They are genuinely interesting

I think it’s safe to say that The Bachelor casts some of the most interesting people out there. They are trying to make great television so I get it but casting has taken a turn in the past few years. There are some serious characters that will forever be remembered in The Bachelor vault lol.

What not to do

While we know that anyone going on TV is seeking at least a little attention, sometimes we can run across a rare bird that is so blatantly disrespectful towards the lead and The Bachelor’s process in general. In the midst of trying to grow their personal brand, they reveal a version of themselves that just isn’t pleasant.

I get it. People on these shows are probably thinking about how rare it is to actually find love. You’re 1 out of 25 and only one person makes it to the end. So, if that’s the case, the least they can do is get a few extra Instagram followers while they’re there. But some people are like Jedd. If contestants are anything like this dashbag from Hannah B’s season of the Bachelorette:

  • They will openly admit on camera that they came on the show to advance their music career.
  • They will leave their actual girlfriend back home to go on the show only to make it all the way to the end of said show they probably only wanted to be on for 3 episodes.
  • But since they’ve made it so far, they will go ahead and promote themselves and their music whenever they get a chance.
  • They’ll make it to hometowns and their parents will be so confused because they probably told them they were going on this show to promote their music but are now claiming to love The Bachelorette.

Yeah, Jedd pissed me off if you can’t tell. But do I think he genuinely fell for Hannah B? Ummmm, it’s a possibility. But this relationship was built on a lie so, therefore, how can anything they built be real? I’m just saying. Dude was definitely there for the wrong reasons.

So, what I’m saying is it’s hard to differentiate between this new crop of contestants’ true intentions. Chances are they are going on the show for love but also are seeking fame and a chance to build a brand. I totally get wanting to go on TV for clout but don’t be a dicky person is all I’m saying. Love should be at the forefront.

Either way, it will be interesting to see if any stars emerge from Peter Weber’s new season of The Bachelor, airing January 6.

This is such an exciting time for The Bachelor franchise and I’m excited to see where the show goes in the future. Have you seen a change in The Bachelor recently? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.