The Bachelor season 27 has come to a dramatic conclusion, although Zach Shallcross lost popularity after making several controversial decisions during the finale. Zach remained in Thailand as he was forced to decide between his final two women, Kaity Biggar and Gabi Elnicki. Zach's parents and two sisters also traveled to Thailand to meet Kaity and Gabi and support Zach through his decision. After the ladies met with Zach's family, Kaity and Gabi were both given one final date with Zach to get out all of their last thoughts.
Gabi expressed doubt throughout the finale and admitted that she already had a feeling Zach would not choose her despite his reassurance. Gabi was ultimately proven right as Zach told her that while he loved her, she deserved someone who would put her first, which he could not. Zach then proposed to Kaity, who happily accepted as Gabi was left heartbroken. While many Bachelor Nation fans were excited to see Zach as the lead, many of his decisions during the finale caused some to see him in a different light.
5 Zach Went Back On His Word To Gabi About Their Secret
Zach repeatedly referred to his fantasy suite date with Gabi during the finale and often used it to explain how he did not do the right thing during that week. Zach originally intended not to sleep with any of the three women during overnight dates; however, Zach admitted that he was intimate with Gabi as it felt right for both of them at the moment. Zach promised Gabi that what happened would stay between the two of them, although he later went back on this and told Kaity what had happened.
This was wrong of Zach for many reasons, but the main problem is that he lied to Gabi. She trusted Zach to keep his word and not tell anyone what happened between them, and he did not follow through on this. Zach continuously referred to the fantasy suite week with Gabi as him making a mistake, which was also insensitive to Gabi as the two of them made a mutual decision to be intimate with one another.
4 Zach Brushed Aside Gabi's Concerns So She'd Meet His Family
Gabi initially expressed doubts before meeting Zach's family and even admitted that she would not have met them if her concerns were not addressed. Gabi and Zach sat down to talk, although it was evident Zach was in somewhat of a rush as his family was waiting. Zach told Gabi she had nothing to worry about, which ultimately ended up not being true, as he did not choose her.
Zach should have been honest with Gabi, as he most likely knew at this point that he wasn't going to choose her. Gabi made it clear that she did not want to meet Zach's family if he did not see her being in his future, which is something he should have respected. Zach dragged Gabi along until the last minute when it was clear he knew for some time that he was not going to choose her.
3 Zach Disputes He Lied To Gabi About Being Unsure
One of Zach's most controversial moments during The Bachelor season 27 finale was his decision to tell Gabi he did not yet know who he was choosing when it was clear that he did. Gabi expressed doubt to Zach again the night of their final date, which followed Zach's final date with Kaity. Zach said he didn't know what he would do; however, Gabi couldn't help but have a feeling that Zach did know he would not choose her.
However, Zach disputed the claim that he lied to Gabi as he says The Bachelor aired the final dates in reverse. "That’s the beauty of reality TV and editing [...] I didn’t know when I left the last chance [date] with Gabi. I truly didn’t know," Zach told Us Weekly. After his date with Gabi, Zach had his date with Kaity and knew right away that Kaity was his future wife. On The show, Zach when on his date with Kaity and then Gabi. When Zach told Gabi that he was "so torn" between her and Kaity, he was being honest. Despite Zach's claims, he did lead Gabi on and lost popularity with many Bachelor Nation fans because of it.
2 Zach Told Kaity That He Had Known He Would Choose Her
While Zach told Gabi the night before the proposal that he did not know what he was going to choose, he later told Kaity that he had known it would be her since their final date. The Bachelor aired Kaity's first, which made this statement controversial; however, Zach says Kaity was his final date. Zach and Kaity didn't get as much screen time during the finale as Zach and Gabi, but it has always been evident that Zach and Kaity had a very strong connection.
Zach knew how much the situation was bothering Gabi and did not do the right thing by having her come to the proposal when he had previous opportunities to send her home. Zach treated Gabi very differently from Kaity as well, as Kaity never expressed any doubts about their relationship while Gabi constantly had to. While it's fine that Zach chose to be with Kaity, he should have been more upfront with Gabi prior to the day of the proposal.
1 Zach Did Not Respect Gabi's Wishes During Their Break-up
It was bad enough that Zach made Gabi show up on proposal day only to get the rejection she had been anticipating. Once Gabi realized her fears were confirmed, she told Zach that she did not need to hear him emphasize that she was not his first choice. Nonetheless, Zach continued with his speech and explained to Gabi that she needed someone who will put her first.
His statement made Gabi even more upset, and Zach did not help by following her to the limo and continuing to speak to her as she was trying to get away from the situation. Gabi wanted to be left alone at this moment, which Zach should have respected. Zach made many controversial choices during The Bachelor season 27, but his decisions during the finale were by far the worst of them.