Finding love is not the easiest thing in the world, between finding someone compatible and trying to maintain romance can be a bit of a challenge. It becomes even more difficult when you’re trying to find love on national TV with cameras and producers and 30 other women or men competing for the same person. Despite these challenges, somehow many contestants walk away happily engaged and married to the love of their life. But the makeout sessions and awkward encounters may not entirely be spontaneous on the Bachelor and Bachelorette series. Fans have speculated about how heavily the show is edited and whether what the contestants do and say is scripted or natural. The host of the series Chris Harrison spills all the tales and secrets of the show. From STD tests, pre-planning all the dates, producers influencing who stays and who goes, and planned awkward moments, here are 40 Secrets From The ‘Bachelor’ and ‘Bachelorette’ Revealed By Producers.
All Those Awkward Limo Entrances? Planned
At the beginning of the show when the contestants exit the limos, they’re pre-planned by producers based on the contestants’ hobbies.
Chris Harrison told Entertainment Tonight, "They get to L.A., we start talking to them about their hobbies: Do you ride horses? Do you fly planes? Is there something funny that you would like to talk about?" he said. "Because you can't just have 30 people getting out going, 'Hi, my name's Lauren.' We do try to mix it up."
The Application Process Is Intense
The process to become a contestant on the show is intense and lasts months. It involves multiple contracts and the contestants are also forced to take a variety of invasive tests by the show, which includes background checks, STD testing, and a psychological examination.
Contestants are also asked to fill out a series of personal questions and cannot be affiliated in any way with companies such as NZK Productions, Next Entertainment, American Broadcasting Companies, The Walt Disney Company, Telepictures Productions, Warner Bros. Entertainment, Time Warner, the list goes on. Neither can any of their family or anyone they may live with.
Producers Tell Contestants To Interrupt
We’ve all wondered about those times contestants would interrupt an intimate conversation and cause a very awkward scene, well it’s planned, and encouraged.
Chris Harrison, the host of the show told ET during Bachelor Peter Weber’s season, "The logistics of trying to get 30 people to have 30, sometimes 40, conversations - because some are going twice, so it is the logistics of just trying to make sure everybody gets a little bit of face time before Peter has to make that conversation," he said. "Sometimes the women will do it themselves. Sometimes a producer will say, 'Hey, you haven't had your time. You need to get in there when you see an opportunity.'"
Contestants Get Paid Nothing To Appear On The Show
Contestants on "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette" leave their jobs to come on the show with the hopes of finding love, fame, or some combination of both.
Contestants end up spending more on their wardrobe with no financial compensation. According to the Insider, in one episode from the 20th season of "The Bachelor," it was rumored that contestant Olivia Caridi had spent $40,000 on her wardrobe for the show. But they don’t get paid a penny for appearing on the show.
There Are No Cameras In The Bathrooms
There are always speculations in reality TV that there are hidden mics or cameras in places no one is aware of. But this is not the case in the Bachelor and Bachelorette series.
Chris confirmed during his Entertainment Tonight interview "We know what we're going to use and we really do shoot specific things. We don't have hidden cameras in the ceilings," he continued. "And we tell people, if you are in the bathroom or whatever, you're off-mic.”
Hot Tub Scenes Are Carefully Planned
The cast usually has microphone packs attached to their outfits at all times, but the microphones are not waterproof, so improvising is sometimes necessary.
They often have to do things the old-fashioned way when it comes to the show’s hot tub moments. Chris told ET, “As for where the mics go when contestants take a dip in the hot tub, typically we will use a boom... 'cause you can't have the microphone underwater."
Series Host Chris Harrison Plans All The Dates
All these beautiful dates we see on the series are not the making of the bachelor or bachelorette, but the credit goes to series host Chris Harrison and the production team. Although the Bachelor or Bachelorette themselves are not actively involved in the planning of the dates, producers take his interests, hobbies and personalities into account while figuring out the perfect date.
Chris tells ET, "I do all of the logistics, all of the planning," Harrison joked. "We talk to them. Peter, pilot. It's a big part of his life and so obviously that's going to blend into the show seamlessly, as much as we can. We take into account who they are. We talk to them about their level of loving action and adventure, fishing, whatever it is. We try to implement that into the show."
Producers Influence Who Stays And Who Goes
The anticipation of who will get the rose during the ceremony is always unnerving, but now we know that the producers influence which cast members stay and who goes. Former Bachelor executive producer Scott Jeffress confirmed this to Amy Kaufman in her book Bachelor Nation: Inside the World of America’s Favorite Guilty Pleasure.
“We would say, ‘We’d like you to keep this one because she’s good for TV, and this other one we’d like you to get to know better,” he said—explaining that the final decision is up to the lead.
Producers Don’t Feed Names At The Rose Ceremony
We always wonder how one person can remember the list of names of the multiple contestants on the show. There has been speculation that the bachelor or bachelorette are fed the names of the contestants through an earpiece, but Chris Harrison has confirmed this to be false.
“We actually will stop so they can memorize the names themselves,” Chris told ET. “Because we have always wanted them to make the lists themselves and say it themselves. We don’t want to be prompting them in any way.”
There Are No Hidden Mics
Fans are often coming up with theories that there are hidden mics planted by producers that the contestants are not aware of. But no, contestants know exactly when they’re being filmed.
“There’s no hidden mics anywhere,” Chris confirmed to ET. “It’s not a gotcha show. It’s not a hidden camera show. We’ve had ‘scandals’ in the past when people say, ‘You guys are filming 24/7! How do you not have that on TV?’ We don’t.”
Chris Steps In If Things Aren’t Flowing
Things may get slightly awkward during the filming of the series, considering there are a number of strangers put in the same room to compete for one person's love and attention. This is where Chris Harrison will often step in to stir up the pot or get things flowing again.
“I’m there as a confidant,” Chris told Insider. “I’m there as a friend, maybe I’m there to stir things up or to push a situation I think needs to be pushed and it’s not flowing along as much as it needs to.”
Wondering How Chris Spends His Free Time On-Set?
We’ve all wondered what the host of the show does when he’s not being filmed or stirring the pot, he reveals he just sits and lurks, listening and watching.
As quoted by the Insider, "A lot of the time, sadly, I'm just in the back of a hotel room or control room somewhere, watching and listening," he said. "It's a lot of boring, sitting around."
Villains Are Cast On Purpose
There’s always a villain, every series there is always someone causing problems and keeping things interesting, and in this case they’re put on the series on purpose.
Producer Mike Fleiss tells ABC, “We need our fair share of villains every season, and now we’re very careful in our casting...to develop characters that the audience is going to root for and root against.”
They Make Awkward Moments Happen
It is literally show host Chris Harrison’s job to make things awkward. We’ve all wondered whether awkward moments on reality TV are scripted or just perfectly and coincidentally timed. In this case, they definitely happen on purpose.
Chris tells ABC, "I relish, and maybe it's because I've been a part of this so long, I really enjoy awkward moments," Harrison said. "I mean, I love creating them, I like seeing how people react. I don't mind it at all."
They Change The Snacks Based On Gender
Fans have definitely noticed that the series always seems to stock the kitchens with everything the contestants crave, and it’s never been short of delicious treats or protein filled snacks, but it is confirmed that even the snacks are strategically placed.
Chris Harrison confirmed this during an interview with Entertainment Weekly, saying that when female contestants are in the house, snack jars are filled with cookies and candies, but “when the guys are here, the jars are filled with whey protein powder.”
The Beds Have Safety Railings
Although awkward moments and heartbreak can’t be avoided, contestants have absolutely nothing to worry about when it comes to their safety. Each bed has safety railings installed to ensure that the beds don’t move and no one falls off.
These were installed after David Ravitz fell out of the top bunk and had to be rushed to the hospital. Chris told EW the rails are called “chicken rails,” because David was known for arriving in a chicken costume.
Producers Allegedly Get A Drama Bonus
As we’ve established the drama does not happen by accident in the Bachelor and Bachelorette, everything happens the way it’s supposed to. So it came to no shock to fans when Scott Jeffrees confirmed that producers get a bonus when they cause some drama.
Scott Jeffrees told Amy Kaufman for Bachelor Nation: Inside the World of America’s Favorite Guilty Pleasure that he used to keep “a wad of crisp $100 bills in his pocket” to give to anyone who delivered the best drama.
They Get Regular Covid-19 Tests
The series takes all kinds of precautions amid the global pandemic. This includes filming in just one location, La Quinta Resort & Club in California. Clare, runner-up on the 18th season of ABC's The Bachelor, and 16th season of The Bachelorette didn’t leave the resort at all. In addition, everyone is regularly tested for coronavirus.
According to Reality Steve, “the entire production (meaning cast + crew) were tested upon arrival, quarantined for a full week and will continue to be tested at least every third day, if not more frequently.”
Everyone's Periods Are Allegedly Tracked?!
There are extreme measures and then there are these measures to keep people entertained. Although we think this might be a little extreme and borderline immoral, there have been alleged claims that the contestants' periods are tracked to increase emotion during interviews and particular scenes.
Amy Kaufman’s book claims that producers kept track of everyone’s period and scheduled their interviews accordingly for peak emotion. “It helped the producers, because now you’ve got someone who is emotional,” Hatta said, “and all you want is emotion.”
The Show Is Very Heavily Edited
If we haven’t already picked up on it, a lot of the things that go on during the show, particularly the drama, are often scripted or provoked.
A former Bachelor/ Bachelorette editor told Amy Kaufman for her book: “You think, Oh, she’s going to say something bitchy and we’ll use that. No, no, no. You make whatever she does sound bitchy.”
The Casting Department Goes Through 10k People
Katy Chen Mazzara, former Bachelor franchise producer gives all the behind the scenes details and secrets that fans have been wondering about.
From the many secrets that were spilled during one of the former producer’s youtube episodes, she spills about how many people the casting department goes through. Mazzara saif, 10,000 people go through and just 100 get narrowed down and flown to Los Angeles for interviews.
Producers Conduct Extensive Interviews
Amongst there many extensive screening processes, extensive interviews are one of them. Each contestant goes through a thorough interview that are conducted by producers prior to starting.
Former producer Katy Chen Mazzara confirmed this during an interview with Whit & Ry, where she stated that they “all take turns” to go in and interview potential cast members in order to see if their personality would be a good fit for the show.
Each Producer Is Assigned A Contestant
Instead of all the producers having to deal with the entire cast, each producer gets their own assigned contestants to bond with and get to know better.
“We’d be their producers through the process,” Katy told Whit & Ry. “You’re assigned about three people and you get to know them and their story, and for them to know somebody already when they get here is always very comforting for people too.”
The Lead Gets His/Her Own Producer
As each cast gets put into a group with a specific producer, the lead also gets his/her own producer. This producer is specifically designated to be the lead and doesn’t mix with other cast members.
“That person is just with the Bachelor or Bachelorette,” Katy told Whit & Ry. “They don’t interact with the other people. They don’t really even know the other people....We don’t want to mix that up.”
The Love Connections Are Totally Real
There are always speculations on whether or not the love connections formed on the series are actually real. It’s hard to believe with so many contestants and so much scripted and manipulated on the show that the connection they form could actually be true love.
But while there is extensive editing and plotting, “Chemistry wins out most of the time,” Katy told Whit & Ry. “Especially on the Bachelor side.”
Producers Decide The Rose Ceremony Order
It comes to no surprise when fans learn that even the rose ceremony order is manipulated to some extent by the producers to create the most suspenseful and entertaining scenes.
Although the Bachelor/ Bachelorette ultimately decides who gets sent home in general, Katy said producers are the ones who line up the juiciest order of eliminations.
The First Night Takes Up To 27 Hours
Conducting a series with over 30 contestants all loved up on emotions and competition is not easy. With the addition of scripted scenes, it comes to no surprise when we discover that the first night takes up to 27 hours from start to finish.
For producers who are conducting interviews and helping their assigned contestant get ready, running around filming all the limo entrances, it is a full day's work. “That first night is all night,” Katy told Whit & Ry. “It’s grueling, especially for us as producers. We basically work probably 27 hour day.”
There Are No Cameras In The Fantasy Suites
Chris Harrison confirmed in an interview with ET that there are no hidden mics including cameras, which thankfully we agree with. Contestants are entitled to their privacy and despite there being no hidden cameras, there is no shortage of drama and perfectly timed moments.
Katy told Whit & Ry, “We don’t have cameras in there, meaning the Bachelor and his finalist are fully alone.”
They Get Plenty Of Time Alone
Although it’s 32 contestants against one lead bachelor or bachelorette, the producers carefully schedule for each of them to get some alone time in.
Throughout the episode, the crew follows and films the Bachelor/ Bachelorette and their finalist through dinner, then films them going into the fantasy suite, and that’s it. “Then they have until morning,” Katy told Whit & Ry. “Let’s say 10 a.m.”
Producers Try To Get Contestants To Cry
Scott Jeffress told Amy Kaufman for her book that former producer Lisa Levenson, one of the series producers, had amazing skills when it came to drawing out emotions from cast members.
“She was the most amazing interviewer I’ve ever seen,” Scott said. “If we needed tears, she would get them. First, she’d walk out there and just give them a big hug. Then, she’d give them a shot of tequila. If they wanted a cigarette, they’d smoke a cigarette. Maybe one more shot of tequila.”
Being A Producer Is Like Being A CIA Interrogator
Sarah Gertrude Shapiro was an associate producer on The Bachelor and went on to be the showrunner of UnREAL. Shapiro revealed what it was really like working on the dating show.
“It’s sort of like being a CIA interrogator,” Shapiro told Cosmopolitan. “It’s this really weird skill set that’s not only manipulating people into performing how you need them to, it’s even just having an ear for syntax as people describe their experiences and editing in your head so you can build a first-person narration from people who aren’t narrators.”
Production Assistants Sleep Over With Contestants
Producers obviously have to go to bed at some point during the series, but fans have all wondered what happens if drama goes down during the night while producers are asleep. Well speculations have been put to rest as fans were told that sometimes the producers sleep over with the contestants, just in case…
Katy told Whit & Ry, “There’s usually PAs or production assistants or handlers who stay with them overnight, so in case something big happens."
The Interviews Are Real But Contestants Are Given Things Like Alcohol Beforehand
When it’s time for contestants to sit down and talk about their experience, some producers go in with a specific goal. In order to get contestants to open up and relax they give them a few things beforehand.
Besides getting them to be raw and emotional, contestants were often given alcohol to wind down and really get to the intimate and juicy details.
Producers Coaching Their Allocated Contestants
Sydney Lotuaco, who appeared on Colton Underwood‘s season of The Bachelor, told Us Weekly‘s podcast 2021.
“You talk with your producer constantly. And I had a close relationship with mine. He would, like, coach me like, ‘OK, go in there and grab his hand.’ And be like, ‘I know, this is awkward,'” the season 23 alum added. “I’m just not a very loud person, so that was a little difficult for me.”
Makeout Sessions Are Pre-Planned
Bachelor season 16 contestant Jamie Otis says her seemingly spontaneous makeout sesh with Ben Flajnik before one of the rose ceremonies was arranged by producers.
According to Jamie, producers told her Ben would ask her for some one on one time, and they brought her two vodka sodas to calm her nerves. “Then we were talking about what I’m going to do and that he’s going to pull me [to the side] first and I would just go and I would kiss him and make out with him,” she recalled in an interview with Life and Style.
Contestants Quit Their Job to Be on the Show
The Bachelor and The Bachelorette takes between six to nine weeks to film, and while that may not seem like a long time to fall in love, it’s a long time to take off work, which is why many contestants leave their jobs to be on the show.
“I didn’t understand the magnitude of the show and how hard it is to get a real job right after. Everyone knows who you are and employers see it as a distraction,” season 11 Bachelorette contestant JJ Lane told Market Watch 2017.
Leads Are Paid at Least $100,000
Although the contestants don’t get paid any money during the series, reality Steve reported in 2011 that most leads make at least $100,00 to star as the Bachelor or Bachelorette of a season.
Some leads also make way more if they have excellent negotiation skills, such as season 8 Bachelorette Emily Maynard who was paid $250,000 for her time on the show, according to In Touch. There were also reports that season 7 Bachelorette Ashley Herbert was the lowest-paid lead ever at $30,000 for her season, Reality Steve countered those claims, confirming that Ashley made at least $100,000 for her time as the lead.
A Real Family Lives in the Bachelor Mansion
A real family lives in the Bachelor Mansion when The Bachelor and The Bachelorette aren’t filming. The house, named “Villa De La Vina,” is owned by a man named Marshall Haraden and his family, who move out of the house twice a year for The Bachelor and The Bachelorette to film.
The Bachelor Mansion is located in Agoura Hills, California. The mansion’s size is 7,500 square feet, and it sits on 10 acres of land. Parts of the mansion are also available to rent for events.
Rose Ceremonies Go Until Morning & Are Way Longer Than What’s on TV
On TV, what we see is the lead handing out a rose, the girl comes forward and accepts it, and then another rose is handed. Season 17 Bachelor Sean Lowe told Glamour in 2015.
“In reality, there’s about three to five minutes in between each rose because all 15 cameras have to reposition. That first night lasts until about 7 a.m., and then each one after that lasts until about 3 or 4 a.m.”
Couples Must Stay Together For 2 Years to Keep a Neil Lane Ring
Neil Lane rings are gifted to each final Bachelor and Bachelorette couple if they choose to get engaged in the finale. The rings aren’t cheap and cost upwards of six figures, which is why there’s a clause in each Bachelor couple’s contract that they must stay together for at least two years to keep the ring.
If the couple breaks up before that two years are up, the ring is returned to Neil Lane. In 2010, Radar Online reported that season 5 Bachelorette Jillian Harris was forced to give her ring back after she broke up with her winner, Ed Swiderski.