“The Bachelorette” is back for its 21st season! This time, Jenn Tran will be the one courted by a group of men competing for her love. The installment, with its start date in the second week of July, is as highly anticipated as previous seasons, if not more.
Hosted once again by Jesse Palmer, the show will be available on its standard streaming services and channels. Loyal viewers can’t wait to see how Jenn’s love story unfolds and are eager to witness if her tale will rank among the top 10 seasons of the TV series.
Alongside the romance, everyone is also excited to discover who will be the villain or villains of the season, as this is always one of the most compelling aspects of the production. Let’s take a look back and remember the worst contestants since the show’s inception.
Who were the worst contestants of ‘The Bachelorette’?
13. Ben Scott (Season 9)
Ben Scott made a memorable entrance on season nine of “The Bachelorette” by sending his young son out of the limo first to present a flower to Desiree Hartsock. This gesture quickly made him one of the fan favorites. However, the contestants did not think the same. They found him annoying and deceptive, particularly when he lied about spending extra time with Desiree.
Ben Scott from Season 9 of “The Bachelorette”. (Source: ABC)
Another well remembered moment of his stay happened while one of the guys was sharing his struggles with Type 1 diabetes to Desiree, and Ben interrupted to steal her away, despite already having a rose.
12. JJ Lane (Season 11)
JJ was initially seen as a friend to fellow contestant Clint Arlis, but his manipulative behavior and confrontations with the latter and other men earned him the villain label. When Kaitlyn revealed she planned to ask Clint to leave before the rose ceremony, JJ betrayed his best friend in front of everyone. He demanded Clint apologize to the other guys for his rude behavior, even though JJ had been just as rude. This led to a raw confrontation between the two, with Clint feeling deeply betrayed and calling JJ several bad names.
JJ Lane from Season 11 of “The Bachelorette”. (Source: ABC)
His motto “Villains gotta vil” made history not only in “The Bachelorette” but in American television as a whole. “I know I’m the most hated man in the house, and I apologize, but I’m not sorry,” he stated in the first episodes. “(Kaitlyn) said she thinks her husband’s here, right? And I just had to remind her of what husband material is.”
11. Chad Johnson (Season 12)
Known for his aggressive behavior and constant conflicts with other contestants, Chad became one of the most infamous villains in the series’ history. However, since much of it was part of a stunt, people tend to remember his TV persona fondly.
Chad Johnson from Season 12 of “The Bachelorette”. (Source: ABC)
When confronted by the other guys about his behavior, he delivered some of the most memorable lines from the show. Loyal viewers also recall his quirky habits, such as eating non-stop and chaining his suitcase around his waist to do pull-ups.
10. Craig McKinnon (Season 6)
When alone with Bachelorette Ali Fedotowsky, dental sales rep Craig McKinnon struggled to say a word, but in group settings, he was outspoken, often provoking confrontations.
Craig McKinnon from Season 6 of “The Bachelorette”. (Source: ABC)
His behavior took a darker turn when he targeted the mild-mannered weatherman, Jonathan Novak, which led the latter to confide in Ali, describing Craig as “dangerous.” Ali took Jonathan’s concerns seriously, resulting in Craig’s dismissal from the show.
9. William Holman (Season 7)
William Holman initially stood out as one of Ashley Hebert‘s top contenders and garnered favor with fans. However, his reputation died during a group date where the men were tasked with roasting Ashley.
William Holman from Season 7 of “The Bachelorette”. (Source: ABC)
While others humorously teased each other, Holman opted to mock Ashley directly. His remarks caused Ashley to leave the stage in tears before he could finish his speech. Of course, this incident marked the end of his journey.
8. Justin Rego (Season 6)
From this part of the list, we stop with the more lighthearted villains and move towards the more serious ones. On Ali Fedotowsky‘s season of “The Bachelorette,” Justin “Rated R” Rego was quickly casted as the show’s bad guy due to allegations of having a girlfriend back home.
Justin Rego from Season 6 of “The Bachelorette”. (Source: ABC)
When confronted by Ali, Justin dramatically walked off the set, ignoring his injured foot and leaving a lasting mark as one of the goofiest exits in the series. Sadly, he is far from being the only man that entered the production with a hidden romance.
7. Wes Hayden (Season 5)
From the start, viewers of “The Bachelorette” took issue with Wes Hayden‘s persistent use of his guitar and his song “Love, It Don’t Come Easy.” It was evident that he had joined the show to boost his music career, which didn’t sit well with many.
Wes Hayden for Season 5 of “The Bachelorette”. (Source: ABC)
However, the true extent of Wes Hayden’s misconduct came to light when, after being eliminated in the final four, he boasted about being the first contestant to reach that stage while having a girlfriend waiting for him at home.
6. Jed Wyatt (Season 15)
If Wes Hayden and Justin Rego’s cases shocked you, brace yourself for the worst. Jed Wyatt also joined “The Bachelorette” to advance his music career but appeared genuinely interested in Hannah Brown.
Jed Wyatt from Season 15 of “The Bachelorette”. (Source: ABC)
He won her heart and the season, but the fairy tale quickly unraveled. During the live finale, it emerged that Wyatt had maintained a girlfriend throughout the show, confirming that, like Wes, his motives were primarily career-driven.
5. Yosef Aborady (Season 16)
Yosef Aborady‘s controversial journey on “The Bachelorette” remains a topic of heated debate. His infamous confrontation with Clare Crawley quickly propelled him to the top of the list of the most villanous contestants. However, some argue there was a valid argument behind his actions.
Yosef Aboradi from Season 16 of “The Bachelorette”. (Source: ABC)
During a game of strip dodgeball arranged by the production team, Yosef vehemently criticized the decision, deeming it inappropriate. His discontent escalated into a heated exchange with Clare, where he expressed severe disapproval, stating, “I’m ashamed to be associated with you” among other derogatory remarks. His relentless and aggresive monologue eventually led Clare to demand him to leave.
4. Nick Viall (Season 10 and 11)
Nick Viall initially portrayed a kind and sweet persona towards Andi Dorfman during her season, where he was the runner-up. However, Nick’s reputation took a villainous turn during the “After The Final Rose” special.
Nick Viall from Season 10 and 11 of “The Bachelorette”. (Source: ABC)
Live on national television, he publicly criticized Andi for their intimate encounter in the Fantasy Suite. Had his statement been made in 2024, he would have faced instant cancellation. However, being 2014, he got away with it.
3. Luke Parker (Season 15)
Initially, the chemistry between Luke Parker and Hannah Brown was undeniable, with Hannah even likening meeting Luke to experiencing love at first sight. His good looks and Hannah’s fondness for him quickly endeared him to fans, who rapidly bet he was the one.
Luke Parker from Season 15 of “The Bachelorette”. (Source: ABC)
However, as the season progressed, Luke’s behavior took a dark turn. He engaged in a physical altercations with another contestant, made threats, and continuously manipulated Hannah, often making her question her decisions. This disturbing attitude swiftly turned public opinion against him, and he quickly lost favor with viewers.
2. Kalon Mchanon (Season 8)
Kalon McMahon, a contestant on Emily Maynard‘s season of “The Bachelorette,” became infamous for his controversial remarks and behavior. During one episode, he referred to Emily’s daughte as “baggage,” which sparked outrage among the other contestants and viewers alike.
Kalon McMahon from Season 8 of “The Bachelorette”. (Source: ABC)
This insensitive comment led to his immediate dismissal from the show, as Emily Maynard did not tolerate any disrespect towards her daughter. Kalon’s attitude and subsequent exit solidified his reputation as one of the most disliked contestants in the history of “The Bachelorette.”
1. Bentley Williams (Season 7)
Bentley Williams gained the worst notoriety for his offensive comments about Ashley behind her back. Bentley led Ashley to believe he was interested in her, but in private conversations with the other contestants, he made derogatory remarks and expressed disinterest in pursuing a relationship with her. This two-faced behavior earned him widespread criticism.
Bentley Williams from Season 7 of “The Bachelorette”. (Source: ABC)
Eventually, Bentley decided to leave the show on his own terms, admitting to the camera that he never had any real feelings for Ashley and had only joined the show to gain exposure. No matter who you ask, everyone will label him as the #1 villain in all history of “The Bachelorette”.
