Clayton Echard and Susie Evans had a wild ride on The Bachelor, so it's no wonder that Bachelor Nation fans are wondering how this couple has been doing since the show's chaotic finale. ABC's decision to cast Clayton as their next lead was met with raised eyebrows when rumors first began swirling last September, especially because The Bachelorette season 18, in which Clayton was eliminated by Michelle Young, was still unfolding. Once Clayton's season began airing this January, things didn't get much better for the 28-year-old. The former football player was intensely scrutinized for eliminating Susie Evans over Gabby Windey and Rachel Recchia after arguing during their fantasy suite date.
If Clayton's elimination of Susie was surprising, The Bachelor season 26 finale was downright shocking. During the two-part conclusion, Clayton admitted to Gabby and Rachel that he was not only intimate with both women but said "I love you" to them as well. Declaring that he was choosing the woman "he loved the most," Clayton ultimately proposed to Susie during the Final Rose ceremony in Iceland, which Susie rejected. However, this didn't mean that Clayton and Susie were done for good. Reuniting months later during "After The Final Rose" special, Clayton and Susie revealed that they had gotten back together after filming and that they were planning to live together in Virginia, Susie's home state. While viewers weren't too impressed with Clayton as The Bachelor, many still wished this duo well and hoped that they would continue to flourish as a couple.
So what has happened to Clayton and Susie since the conclusion of The Bachelor season 26? Bachelor Nation fans may be surprised yet happy to know that these two are still going strong. Uploading a video compilation on March 26, two weeks after the finale, Susie revealed that she and Clayton were happily enjoying their relationship while their season of The Bachelor aired. Several individual clips include the wedding photographer and Clayton dancing, swimming, eating, and relaxing. Between showing off their love at public Bachelor Nation events to giving fans a sneak peek at their home life, it's clear that the two were able to patch things up and move on even before the finale.
That being said, the couple has been forced to deny rumors of Clayton cheating recently after a video began circulating on TikTok, with Clayton and Susie using screenshots to disprove his alleged infidelity. Revealing that Clayton's contact in her phone is under "Mox Herald," with a photo of Seth Rogen, Susie explains on TikTok that she's "had [the name] in there like this since we started dating secretly post-show." Since then, the owner of the TikTok video has walked back her claims. However, the incident has shown how much Susie and Clayton continue to care for one another.
Although Clayton had a hard time choosing who to propose to on The Bachelor season 26, he and Susie look more in love than ever as he prepares for his move to Virginia. Since the two had to hide their relationship for months, it should be no surprise that this couple is now on full display. As for Gabby and Rachel, these runner-ups and fan favorites will return to ABC as the co-leads of The Bachelorette season 19.
Sources: Susie Evans/TikTok, Susie Evans/Instagram