‘Bachelorette’ Suitor Bows Out: Ian Thomson Latest To Exit Kaitlyn Bristowe’s Declining Pool Of Suitors
When The Bachelorette got started this season, Ian Thomson was clear about one thing; he was Team Kaitlyn. The executive recruiter from Los Angeles had no plans to settle down with fellow Californian Britt Nilsson — he wanted to be Mr. Kaitlyn Bristowe.
But as last week’s promo implied, Thomson’s feelings have changed as this Bachelorette season has progressed. He is apparently not impressed with Kaitlyn now that he’s seen her up close and been a part of her team of suitors.
The inside scoop is that Thomson does go home. According to Reality Steve, he tells Kaitlyn she’s not really doing the show to find love, and he exits the program before the rose ceremony.
This is not Kaitlyn’s first suitor to leave early. Brady Toops interrupted the first rose ceremony to run after the ousted Bachelorette contender, Britt. The two have apparently found love outside the confines of the Bachelorette courtship process.
Last week, Kaitlyn told Clint to leave after it became apparent he was not on the show for her. The show implied he was engaged in a bromance with fellow contestant J.J. Lane.
Kupah James was also kicked off the show by Kaitlyn after he questioned her interest in him.
On night one, Ryan McDill was sent home by producers after he became inebriated and touched Kaitlyn inappropriately.
The very format of The Bachelorette is structured so that suitors are gradually eliminated until the final two remain. Unlike previous years, however, it seems many men are not choosing to participate in the rose ceremony or Bristowe is not putting them through that ritual.
Bristowe revealed to Us Weekly that she was blindsided when Chris Soules eliminated her during the final three rose ceremony. The fact that Kaitlyn is doing more private eliminations than previous Bachelorettes may simply mean she wants to spare the men that feeling of rejection.
Her choice to bring back Nick Viall so late in the season apparently did not sit well with the men. The timing, according to former Bachelorette Ali Fedotowsky, would certainly have been set by producers and not been up to Bristowe. Ali also said Bristowe did not have a strong pool of men to choose from this season.
Sharleen Joynt, previous Bachelor contestant, defended Kaitlyn’s decision to bring back Nick, emphasizing that The Bachelorette is a “wonky universe” where the men are supposed to be loyal to her while she explores her options.
The Bachelorette airs Monday nights on ABC.
[Ian Thomson and Kaitlyn Bristowe of ‘The Bachelorette’: photos by ABC]
