THE Bachelor is back again tonight, with Clayton and the final four hopefuls heading off for ‘Hometowns Week’.
Clayton Echard first visits Susie Evans‘s hometown of Virginia Beach, Virginia in tonight’s episode.
After an individual conversation with Susie’s father where Clayton made a good impression, Susie’s mother asked Clayton if he is in love with their daughter.
Clayton responded vaguely and said later that he could be falling in love with all four of the remaining women — Susie, Serene, Rachel, and Gabby.
In an individual conversation later with her mom, Susie told her mom that she can see herself marrying Clayton.
“Proceed with caution,” her mother warned.
Tonight’s Bachelor episode comes after Clayton told 23-year-old “mean girl” contestant Sarah Hamrick that he didn’t believe a word she was saying on last week’s dramatic episode hosted by Jesse Palmer..
After explaining that he can’t trust her, he dismissed her from the show.
Read our Bachelor live blog for the latest news and updates…
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Gabby’s father shows
After previously believing that her father couldn’t attend the hometown episode meetup due to health complications, Gabby’s father surprises her by arriving with a special message for her.
Gabby and Clayton waved to her father as he drove away after proclaiming his love for her with poster boards.
Gabby cried in Clayton’s arms afterward.
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John pulls Clayton aside
Gabby’s grandfather John pulled Clayton aside to discuss his intentions with his granddaughter Gabby.
“I encourage you to not run into it,” he advised Clayton.
“So far I like what I see.”
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Family complications
Gabby’s father will not meet Clayton tonight because of health complications.
Gabby’s aunt, uncle, cousin, and grandparents will be there.
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Hot tub time
After their romantic hike, Gabby surprised Clayton with a hot tub and champagne in the woods.
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Gabby takes Clayton hiking
On their hometown date, Gabby took Clayton hiking to Proposal Rock with a subtle hint to their possible future together as a couple.
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Gabby’s hometown
Gabby Windey is taking Clayton to her hometown of Denver, Colorado tonight.
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‘Proceed with caution’
Susie’s mom tells Susie that she thinks Clayton is a good guy, but warns her that this could end in a broken heart.
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Clayton and Susie’s mother
Susie’s mother asked Clayton if he loves Susie and he did not give a clear answer.
“Can I fall in love with four women at one time?” Clayton said in a confessional after.
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‘If Susie loves you, we’ll love you’
Susie’s father essentially gave Clayton his blessing in their one-on-one chat.
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Susie’s dad pulls Clayton aside
“She sets examples for us all the time…She’s amazing,” Susie’s dad told Clayton.
“There’s definitely something there with you guys,” he said about his first impression of the couple.
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Susie pulls her dad aside
Susie’s dad has health issues and she has repeatedly said that he’s one of the most important people in her life.
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Meeting the parents
Clayton is about to meet Susie’s family and her best friend in Virginia Beach.
He showed up to the house armed with flowers and gifts.
Clayton is vocal about wanting Susie’s dad’s approval.
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Susie takes Clayton wrestling
“Today we’re going to find out if Clayton likes being choked,” Susie said.
Susie has talked about her athletic skills and her Jiu-Jitsu training in past episodes.
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Susie’s hometown
Susie Evans is taking Clayton home to Virginia Beach, Virginia tonight.
Susie was crowned Miss Virginia USA in 2020.
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The Bachelor is LIVE
Tonight’s episode of the Bachelor is live now.
The women will be taking Clayton Echard to their hometowns tonight.
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How much time do contestants spend with the Bachelor?
With just two months to film the entire season, it has also been reported that contestants do not spend much time with the Bachelor.
Former Bachelorette Ali Fedotowsky told Women’s Health that she only spent around 72 hours with her winner, Roberto Martinez, over a few dates on the show. They broke up eventually.
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Clayton Echard’s ‘body dysmorphia,’ continued
Though he had to overcome various mental obstacles to get to where he is now, Clayton insisted he is in a “better place” now.
“I’m at a better place where I’m okay with it now because I’ve had enough people say like, ‘hey, you look like you’re in good shape.’
“But all it takes is three comments back to back to back to say, ‘you look kind of fat,’ and that’s all it takes. All of a sudden it puts you right back into that negative mindset.
“That’s kind of the power of body dysmorphia and the fear of it is like, you never truly get rid of it.”
When asked what he has done to work on his struggle with body dysmorphia, the Missouri native said that in addition to exercise and healthy eating, it has taken a lot of mental work.
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Clayton Echard’s ‘body dysmorphia’
Bachelor Clayton Echard revealed his “body dysmorphia” made him “scared of looking fat on TV” which led to a “dark spiral” while viewing the show.
The former football player opened up about the pressures of the cameras “adding 10 pounds” on a show that is known for displaying their contestants shirtless on a regular basis.
On the Talking It Out podcast hosted by Bachelor Nation’s Mike Johnson and Dr. Bryan Abasolo – who is married to Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay – the ex-athlete expressed his concern for how he would look while filming.
The 28-year-old told his buddies: “I remember that was a big thought I had – the camera adds 10 lbs. So I’m going to be honest with you – I was kind of scared. I was like, here, we’re going to find out right now how I look on camera, I have no idea.
“And I was afraid that it was going to put me in a little dark spiral, like, you look fat.”
He added: “You can never shake that body dysmorphia — it’s always there.”
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How to watch past seasons
If you want to watch old episodes before the premiere of the Bachelor on Monday, there are a few ways to do so.
Fans can stream past seasons of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette on Hulu, YouTube TV, fuboTV, and DIRECTV Stream.
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Bachelorette has a higher success rate
Despite having nine fewer seasons than the Bachelor, the Bachelorette has a higher success rate.
Five couples still remain (including the most recent, Michelle and Nayte) of the Bachelorette’s 18 winning pairs.
Of the Bachelor’s 25 winning pairs, only two couples are still together.
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Who is Clayton Echard, continued
In 2016 Echard was signed to the Seattle Seahawks.
It is unclear when he left the NFL but according to his Instagram bio, he is now in orthopedic sales.
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Who is Clayton Echard?
Clayton Echard, 28, is the Bachelor for season 26 of the program.
He is from Eureka, Missouri, and was reportedly a professional football player.
Echard played for the Missouri Tigers in 2012 prior to being drafted for the National Football League four years later.
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Hometown week
“It is hometown week and this is the most important week for me in my entire journey,” Clayton Echard said.
The Bachelor will meet the families of the final four contestants.
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Falling in love?
“I haven’t said that I’m falling in love with any of these women,” Clayton Echard is heard saying on the preview for tonight’s show.
The episode airs on Monday, February 28 at 8pm.