On a recent episode of Click Bait with Bachelor Nation, former Bachelor In Paradise contestant Natasha Parker spoke about her conversation with other BIP alum Maurissa Gunn on her breakup with Riley Christian. Maurissa, a 25-year-old patient care coordinator, and Riley, a 32-year-old attorney from New York, quickly became fan-favorites during Bachelor In Paradise's season 7. As soon as Riley entered the beach Maurissa ditched the man she had been having casual conversations with for a more serious relationship with Riley. The two became a steady power couple on Paradise, and by the end of the season, they were officially engaged, making Bachelor Nation history as the first Black couple ever to be engaged on the franchise.
After the series, everything seemed to be going great for the couple. They spoke publically about plans for Maurissa to move to New York, for the couple to get married soon, and even begin having children in the near future. However, Bachelor Nation started to suspect something might be wrong when Maurissa began removing pictures of the couple from her Instagram. After much speculation, the couple released a joint statement announcing they had broken up, though no information was given as to why.
Now Natasha Parker, a contestant on BIP season 7 as well as one of the hosts from the Click Bait with Bachelor Nation podcast, is speaking out about her recent conversation with Maurissa Gunn. In her talks, Maurissa seemed to confirm the couple had split a while before the announcement. Natasha went on to say, "I think that they just have very different lives, at least from my understanding of what she was saying. She completely integrated into his life and I think that she kind of missed her family, she missed her friends." After the show, Maurissa had finally moved to New York, away from her Atlanta home and family. The lifestyle can be incredibly different and as Natasha continued, "Moving to New York is not easy. It's just not an easy thing. It's a hard city if you're not used to it. But [Maurissa] went full throttle. She put her all in and it didn't work out."
Natasha was there for most of the season and saw Riley and Maurissa find love and ultimately get engaged. Though her conversation with Maurissa did shed light on a lot, Maurissa and Riley have also been incredibly private throughout the ordeal. Natasha went on to say, "[Maurissa] was just saying how there was so much that happened between them that they kind of just wanted to keep it between each other." This leaves the door open for a lot of speculation, but it's also a good way of protecting Maurissa and Riley from more drama. The couple has been through a lot in finding love, and having it end so quickly, airing out their dirty laundry would only harm them and cause distraction in the long run.
This breakup is a devastating blow for fans who were rooting for Riley and Maurissa to make it. So many people found comfort in their historic and lovely relationship. Even throughout their breakup, it's rare for two people from any Bachelor show, let alone Bachelor In Paradise, to call it quits so amicably. The respect they've shown for each other, and the way Maurissa spoke to Natasha about Riley shows how much they meant to each other. Natasha left it off by saying, "She told me she has no regrets, and I think that's a beautiful thing."
Source: Click Bait with Bachelor Nation