Everybody loves a happy ending, which is why so many couples that emerge from shows like The Bachelor and The Bachelorette are beloved after the whirlwind proposal on the season finale. Most of the time these couples aren't built to last, but fans have no problem rooting for them in the first few months of their relationship because they want their love to be real.
On the flip side of the coin, viewers are sometimes shocked that a couple got together, let alone went through with their engagement and marriage. Some relationships grow on audience members, while others soured over time when they're shown via different media, like on social media or on other reality shows.
Desiree Hartsock & Chris Seigfried
In season nine of The Bachelorette, fans initially believed that Desiree would end up with 28-year-old sales representative, Brooks Forester, only for him to be one of the bachelors who famously quit right before the season finale. Viewers then rooted for Desiree to find happiness with Chris Seigfried, which she did, and the two went on to get married and have two kids together.
Redditor JuliaGulia1179 wrote about how they loved the couple prior to their appearance on Marriage Boot Camp but grew to dislike the pair: "I loved Chris and Des before this [Marriage Boot Camp] show, now I’m just not so sure that Chris is such a great husband to her. He seems judgemental, and very critical."
Andi Dorfman & Josh Murray
Andi Dorfman and her final rose pick, Josh Murray, had one of the shortest engagements in the history of The Bachelorette, breaking up after just six months together. Andi went on to detail their toxic romance in her book, It's Not Okay.
Despite the fact that fans were split between rooting for Andi and Josh and Andi and Nick during the airing of the show, post-show viewers changed their minds as new information emerged about their relationship. Reddit user babysherlock91 wrote, "I thought they were so perfect together and I was so upset when they broke up. Genuinely disappointed. Now, of course, I’m like ‘Thank God.’"
Rachel Lindsay & Bryan Abasolo
Many fans thought that Rachel Lindsay made the wrong choice when she chose to pursue a future with chiropractor Bryan Abasolo over business owner Peter Kraus on season 13 of The Bachelorette. They felt she had more chemistry with Peter, and thought the relationship was doomed, but Rachel and Bryan were one Bachelor Nation couple that actually got married in 2018.
Redditor thegirlses commented on a thread describing how her feelings toward Rachel and Bryan's romance ended up changing:
"I didn't expect Rachel and Bryan to last at first, but I've come around to them. She always speaks highly of him on the Higher Learning podcast. Not in an over-the-top way where it feels like she's overcompensating, either. She just seems to really like and respect him. I feel like that's a good sign."
Katie Thurston & Greg Grippo
Prior to the airing of Katie Thurston's Bachelorette hometown dates, many fans thought that she and Greg Grippo were going to end up together. That all changed when they had their big fight, resulting in him self-eliminating and her choosing to get engaged to Blake Moynes.
Reddit user ohhimarissa changed their mind about the couple after watching their big break-up but maintained that the beginning of their love story was beautiful, "Watching their romance was my favorite part of Katie’s season (I was unspoiled lol). I think everything worked out and it’s for the best they aren’t together now, but I loved their dates on the shows. Those rain kisses are still 10/10."
Ashley Hebert & JP Rosenbaum
Ashley Hebert's relationship with JP Rosenbaum on season seven of The Bachelorette was one of the most romantic and endearing in the whole franchise, with fans often comparing other couples to the success of Ashley and JP.
Just last year, the couple announced that they decided to end their marriage after eight years. While some were surprised, Redditor RunLola11 said that their perception of the couple was altering over time, "I was really bummed when they split up, but after seeing/hearing about some of their interactions online, it seems for the best and they weren't getting along quite as well."
JoJo Fletcher & Jordan Rodgers
Even though JoJo Fletcher gifted Jordan Rodgers with the Bachelorette first impression rose on night one of her season, fans still weren't convinced that the couple would make it to the finale, let alone make their relationship work in the real world.
As time has gone on and the pair have remained together and picked a wedding date, fans have come around to them as a couple, adding them to a list of Bachelor Nation success stories. Reddit user Themorningstarfalls wrote, "I was so disappointed when Jojo picked Jordan. I was certain they'd be broken up within 3 months. I'm happy I was wrong."
Michelle Young & Nayte Olukoya
The most recent Bachelorette, Michelle Young may have just gotten engaged to Nayte Olukoya, but fans weren't immediately set on their relationship, originally believing the elementary school teacher was better suited for her runner-up, Brandon Jones.
After watching their proposal and post-show interviews, fans began to change their mind about the couple, and are now rooting for them. Redditor flyingcactus2047 said, "Okay not gonna lie I’ve been a bit of a Nayte skeptic but I love how he explained the brain/heart thing about being in love and how they aligned for Michelle."
Hannah Brown & Tyler Cameron
When Hannah Brown got engaged to Jed Wyatt in the season 15 finale of The Bachelorette, viewers were heartbroken and gutted that she would pick him over Tyler Cameron. They believed that the latter was the better partner for Hannah and that their chemistry was off the charts.
As years went on and Hannah and Tyler's personalities were revealed more to the public through social media and book deals, fans grew to dislike the pair individually, though maintained that they should get back together because they deserved each other. Reddit user unbrelievable0 harshly commented on a thread, "I was in the Tannah subreddit (yeah yeah embarrassing) and now I see the light that they are both trash. Still ship them though."
Kaitlyn Bristowe & Shawn Booth
Shawn Booth got Kaitlyn Bristowe's first impression rose on night one of The Bachelorette and even got down on one knee to propose to her in the season finale. The couple stayed together for three years before calling it quits, something that surprised many fans at the time, as they believed them to be the real deal.
As of today, Kaitlyn is happily engaged to fellow Bachelor Nation alum Jason Tartick, something fans are happy about despite initially rooting for Kaitlyn and Shawn. Redditor gella1214 wrote, "I just finished rewatching that season. At the time I loved Shawn. Now I watch it and I’m happy she is with Jason Tartick instead of any of them."