Welcome back, rose lovers, to The Bachelor Season 26 cringeworthy moments! In this series, as always, I recap the strangest, most bizarre moments to have unraveled during the week’s episode.
This week, we were introduced to our new Bachelor — 28-year-old Clayton Echard (does he remind you of Colton Underwood, or is it just me?) from Eureka, Missouri, and a former contestant on Michelle Young’s season of The Bachelorette.
Let’s just say that this season could just be the most dramatic season yet, for the simple reason that for the first time in years, someone did not accept someone’s rose.
Without further ado, here’s a recap of The Bachelor Season 26, Episode 1 cringeworthy moments!
Get ready for an unprecedented season of #TheBachelor starting tonight on ABC. pic.twitter.com/Mca2a9SCRu
— The Bachelor (@BachelorABC) January 3, 2022
The Bachelor Season 26, Episode 1: Moment #1: Salley Talks To Clayton
Salley Carson, a 26-year-old spine surgery robot operator from Virginia had the most screen time of any woman in the episode, and that’s even before the limousines pulled up. Carson was formerly engaged to her long-time partner, but her wedding was called off due to a “lack of trust” in the relationship.
Her wedding date just so happens to coincide with the first weekend of The Bachelor, which begs the question: How long ago was she engaged exactly, and is she here for the Right Reasons™ ?
It turns out, Salley is in fact here for the right reasons and doesn’t plan on wasting Clayton’s time. She decides to go talk to Clayton and expresses her hesitance at staying until the rose ceremony, but The Bachelor feels a connection to her and offers her a rose instead. It is a totally unexpected move, but Salley’s response is all the more unexpected!
She ultimately decides that her heart wasn’t “ready,” and quits the show before the first season can begin. Is this the first time in years someone rejected a rose? I think so! This rejection, of course, gave Clayton a chance to share his fears about being rejected, before turning it into a lesson for the journey that awaits him.
Is it possible to hate a season of The Bachelor before they’ve even done the limo arrivals? Thing whole Salley storyline is already exhausting me.
— Sarah Spain (@SarahSpain) January 4, 2022
The Bachelor Season 26, Episode 1: Moment #2: Claire…Who?
Claire Heilig is another contestant who ended up leaving on night one of The Bachelor before the rose ceremony could begin. Claire, a cosmetic dermatologist from Virginia Beach, Virginia seemed to really hit it off with Clayton at the beginning, and even during the “tailgate party”, she planned for him.
The two discussed football, played cornhole, and ate chicken wings, and seemed to have a pretty good time…until another one of Clayton’s suitors made an appearance.
Time is limited and everyone wants to make an impression, so I’m not sure getting mad at someone else makes sense. Anyway, after Clayton leaves with someone else, Claire (who has noticeably had too much to drink at this point) goes back to the women and roasts Clayton left, right, and center, going as far as saying things like “I would eat him and spit him out,” and that his personality is too “nice” for her. Claire also suggests that she hates him, but when Clayton confronts her, she vehemently denies it. Anyway, their confrontation ends with Clayton walking her out.
The Bachelor season 26 has started and it’s chaotic already–tune in to read our recap again next week!
What were your favorite moments of The Bachelor Season 26 premiere? Share in the comments!
Tune in next week for another episode of Clayton’s journey on The Bachelor!