‘The Bachelorette’ Star Katie Thurston Says She Should’ve Sent Herself Home on Matt James’ Season of ‘The Bachelor’
Before Katie Thurston was the star of The Bachelorette Season 17, she was on Matt James’ season of The Bachelor. The contestant quickly became a fan-favorite, but she was eliminated midway through the season. Then recently, Katie revealed how she really felt about her relationship with Matt while re-watching The Bachelor. And apparently, the new bachelorette believes she should’ve just sent herself home. Here’s why.
What happened to Katie Thurston and Matt James in ‘The Bachelor’ 2021?
Katie and Matt seemed to hit it off in The Bachelor Season 25. But eventually, Matt started forming stronger connections with other women. Then in week 6, Katie received a one-on-one date, and she was eliminated.
“The truth is, my relationships with some of the other women in the house have progressed further along than ours has up until this point,” Matt said at the time. “I can’t give you this rose tonight.”
When speaking with Bachelor producers, Katie seemed blindsided. She started planning her future with Matt in her head. But while things didn’t work out, Katie didn’t regret her experience.
“I don’t regret being myself. It just sucks that it wasn’t enough,” Katie said. “I know what I deserve, and I deserve a man who knows what I have to offer. I am who I am, and there’s someone out there who wants that.”
‘The Bachelorette’ star Katie Thurston on re-watching Matt James’ season of ‘The Bachelor’
When speaking with Nick Viall in the June 30 episode of The Viall Files, Katie opened up about re-watching Matt’s season. The new bachelorette revealed that she realized she “stood no chance” and should’ve self-eliminated.
“It’s tough because I thought I knew what to expect,” Katie said. “Then you watch it back, and you’re like, ‘Oh yeah, I stood no chance.’ Going through it myself, I’m like, ‘Katie, you should’ve just sent yourself home.’”
She continued, “I thought me and Matt are on good terms, good pace. But the Bachelor world is so quick. So by the time I had my one-on-one with him, in the moment, I was like, ‘We’re right on track. It’s fine!’ Which is why I was so blindsided going home. But then going through it, watching it back, it was like, ‘Katie, you stood no chance.’”
That said, Katie doesn’t necessarily regret her elimination in The Bachelor Season 25.
“I wouldn’t change anything,” she said. “I’m a big believer in everything happens for a reason. Honestly, I’m still absorbing it. It all happened so quickly. I was on Matt’s season, and then I had my own season. I haven’t had a breath.”
Katie Thurston and Matt James now
While Matt and Katie’s relationship didn’t work out in The Bachelor Season 25, it seems both parties have moved on with their lives. Matt recently got back together with Rachael Kirkconnell. Meanwhile, Katie is headlining The Bachelorette Season 17 to find her perfect match.
Now, what should Bachelor Nation fans expect from Katie’s ending? According to the bachelorette, her journey will take a few turns.
“The end is crazy,” Katie said on Good Morning America. “I’m happy. I had to tell myself everything happens for a reason. That’s what you have to really embrace, and that’s what I’ve been doing.”
The Bachelorette Season 17 airs Monday nights on ABC.
