Key Takeaways:
– Ben Higgins, a former “The Bachelor” star, unveiled the intense relationship issues he and his ex-fiancée Lauren Bushnell experienced.
– The tension built up during filming of their spinoff show, and by the end, communication between them had virtually ceased.
– Despite getting an offer for a televised wedding, the couple acknowledged their relationship was not going to survive.
– Higgins and Bushnell have since moved on, each finding love elsewhere.
“The Bachelor” star, Ben Higgins, has unveiled the escalating tension that led to the end of his relationship with Lauren Bushnell (now Lane). The couple, who found love during season 20 of the reality TV show, even landed their own spinoff series. However, by the time filming wrapped up, their engagement was on shaky ground.
Inside The Relentless “Spinoff Show Grind”
Freshly engaged, the couple dove into the filming of their spinoff show. This intense period spanned approximately two months and was even tougher due to their living conditions. Higgins disclosed that their 700 square foot home in Denver, which hosted a film crew of 30 persons, was undoubtedly cramped. Juggling day-to-day jobs—Higgins returning to his pre-show job and Bushnell continuing her role as a flight attendant—only added to the strain.
He confessed, “It was a grind.” as the couple had to film individually and conjointly after their long workdays. Consequently, communication between them dwindled. “We wouldn’t talk to each other… in weeks,” Higgins admitted. The couple sought couples counseling to help navigate their turbulent relationship during this period.
The Unexpected Televised Wedding Proposal
Adding to the whirlwind of their lives was a surprise visit from the former “The Bachelor” host, Chris Harrison. The purpose? To inquire if the couple was interested in a televised wedding. Despite a substantial paycheck that was presented with the offer, the pair was struggling to maintain their relationship.
Higgins openly shared, “We were kind of more work associates.” This comment underscores the deteriorating state of their relationship at that time. Following their meeting with Harrison, Higgins and Bushnell realized their unlikely journey to the altar.
Rough Road To Reconciliation
Post their meeting with Harrison, the couple attempted to salvage their relationship. The final realization of their failed engagement dawned a week before they ended their spinoff filming, disclosed Higgins. The day after the show wrapped, Higgins recalled a phone conversation where they both acknowledged that the relationship was unhealthy and needed to end.
Upon returning to Denver after a business trip, Higgins requested Bushnell to move out of their shared home. Although they communicated sporadically following their split, their relationship remained strained.
Moving On
Despite the challenging ending of their engagement, both “The Bachelor” stars have since found love and healed. Bushnell tied the knot with country singer, Chris Lane, in October 2019, with whom she shares two sons. In contrast, Higgins wed Jessica Clarke in November 2021.
The candid revelation by Higgins allows fans a glimpse into “The Bachelor” reality show’s behind-the-scenes complexities and the toll it can take on the contestants’ personal lives. Although it was a bumpy journey, both stars found happiness in their respective paths.