The Prize 'Bachelor' & 'Bachelorette' Winners Really Get

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There’s no denying how The Bachelor and The Bachelorette open doors not only for its winners but also for those that appear in the hit ABC reality TV show.

But there’s one shocking detail about the program that fans may still not be aware of.

There’s no difference when it comes to what The Bachelor and The Bachelorette winners make because they don’t get to bring home anything.

In fact, reports revealed that some of the contestants that appeared on the show have even gone into debt because they had to quit their jobs and pay for their own clothes.

According to Men’s Health, the female contestants on The Bachelor even have to pay for their own hair and makeup. This means that they spend so much more than the male contestants.

Years ago, Jillian Harris was even forced to mortgage her home so that she would have enough money to support her stint on the program. She was named the Season 5 bachelorette.

Others have reportedly cashed out as much as $401,000 to be on The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. So, one might wonder why there are still a lot of contestants that opt to appear in the program?

For one, the contestants are there to look for love and the person that they hope to spend the rest of their lives with. Second, they are there for exposure.

So, here’s a look at some of the contestants on The Bachelor and The Bachelorette that went on to do bigger things after appearing on the show.

Ali Fedotowsky

Ali Fedotowsky has worked as a correspondent on the E! red carpet for years. If not for her appearance on The Bachelorette, she wouldn’t have been discovered by the network.

Today, Fedotowsky no longer works as a correspondent for the network.

Trista & Ryan Sutter

Trista and Ryan Sutter are just two of the happiest couples from The Bachelor who are still together today. After Trista became a runner-up on The Bachelorette, she went on to appear in Dancing With the Stars and Fear Factor. She has also penned a book.

The couple also hosts their own HGTV, Rocky Mountain Reno.

Chris Soules

Chris Soules made a lasting impression on The Bachelor. He proposed to Whitney Bischoff during the Season 19 finale of the reality TV show in 2015. However, they called off their engagement just months later.

And immediately after his stint ended, he went on to compete in Dancing With the Stars.

He also made headlines in 2017 after he faced legal trouble after getting involved in a car crash that resulted in a man’s death. He pleaded guilty to the charges a year later.

In 2019, the reality TV star was ordered to pay $2.5 million in the wrongful death lawsuit. Months later, he confirmed that he agreed to a two-year suspended prison sentence and two years of probation.

“I feel good where I’m at right now. It’s been not easy on anyone. I’m just happy that I’m able to live another day and work and do my thing and be able to do better things for the people around me,” he told Us Weekly.

Melissa Rycroft

Melissa Rycroft went on to compete in Dancing With the Stars after her stint on the hit ABC reality TV show and won.

Since then, she has also appeared in Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team as a judge and adviser.

Ben Higgins

Ben Higgins starred in The Bachelor Season 20. He got engaged to Lauren Bushnell during the show’s finale in 2016.

After starring in the program, Higgins and Bushnell appeared on their own reality TV show called Ben and Lauren: Happily Ever After?

Shortly after, the couple split, and Higgins tried to find love again when he joined The Bachelor: Winter Games.

Today, Higgins co-hosts the Almost Famous podcast with fellow The Bachelor alum, Ashley Iaconetti.

Jillian Harris

Jillian Harris starred in The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. After appearing in the two programs, she went on to host Love It or List It in Vancouver, Canada. She also joined Extreme Makeover as a designer.