Bachelor Nation reacts to Katie Thurston and Greg Grippo’s tense reunion
Even Bachelor Nation is divided.
Past and present leads and contestants from the “Bachelor” franchise took to social media Monday to react to the tense “After the Final Rose” reunion between “Bachelorette” Katie Thurston and her ex Greg Grippo.
While former “Bachelor in Paradise” contestant Demi Burnett tweeted that she agreed “with Katie that if [Greg] really wanted to be with her he would’ve stayed” on the ABC show instead of walking away last week, she took issue with Thurston, 30, unleashing on Grippo, 28, during the special.
“Why she this mad if she’s happily engaged lol,” Burnett, 26, wrote, referencing the Season 17 lead accepting a proposal from Blake Moynes earlier in the episode.
As Thurston continued to accuse Grippo of “gaslighting” her and using her for “exposure” and “acting practice,” Burnett tweeted, “I can’t with the passive aggressiveness.”
Her “Paradise” Season 6 co-star Derek Peth echoed, “I haven’t watched this whole season, but why is Katie going in so hard on this Greg dude while she’s happy in her own engagement? This feels really unnecessary.”
“Bachelorette” alum Jason Tartick, on the other hand, seemed to understand Thurston’s frustration with Grippo leaving her — and their relationship — so abruptly.
“I don’t think Greg left bc of a lack of reciprocity in feelings. I think he left bc he didn’t see his future wife in front of him,” Tartick, 32, speculated on Twitter. “That is damn fair, but if that’s the case just simply say it.”
Former “Bachelor” Ben Higgins, meanwhile, could hardly stand to watch the drama unfold on his TV screen.
“I am shook and once again hiding my face behind my hands,” Higgins, 32, tweeted. “This is something.”
“After the Final Rose” marked the end of a tumultuous season for Thurston, who also saw Michael Allio leave the show to go home to his 4-year-old son, James.
In the end, however, the bank marketing manager found her happily ever after with Moynes, 31, who surprised her by getting down on one knee and giving her a 3-carat diamond ring by Neil Lane.