Sean Lowe is one-half of one of the “successful” Bachelor couples. But the reality star and father-to-be knows that some of his fellow franchise alums have not been so lucky. After the recent suicide death of The Bachelor contestant Lex McAllister, a Season 14 alum who died after overdosing on prescription pills and the third suicide in the Bachelor family, Lowe posted to his Patheos blog to question if reality stars are dying for fame.
While Sean Lowe admits he did not know McAllister personally and didn’t want to “speculate on why a woman would take her own life,” he also pointed out that another show alum, Gia Allemand, committed suicide in 2013 by hanging herself. And three years before that, Bachelorette alum Julien Hug was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Although Lowe doesn’t come out and blame the ABC reality franchise for the three suicides, he does think it should cause people to pause for a minute.
“There are moments when the glittery, perfumed, hairsprayed, romantic facade of The Bachelor is penetrated by hard truths. Three people from the Bachelor family committing suicide should cause us all to pause.”
Sean Lowe admits he’s unsure whether reality TV contestants have a higher rate of suicide than the rest of America, and he also points out that suicides have increased dramatically in the United States in recent years. But Sean knows firsthand that the glamour of being a reality TV star does fade.
“I am no expert in depression, counseling, or psychology. But I do know that reality is sometimes not fun. If you are on The Bachelor , eventually, the roses, limos, and the romantic helicopter rides stop.”
Sean Lowe, a devout Christian, took the opportunity to offer advice to those struggling with suicidal thoughts. Sean later amended his post to say that he did not mean to ignore cases of mental illness, which often takes people to dark places.
Both Lex McAllister and Gia Allemand were contestants on Jake Pavelka’s season of The Bachelor . Julien Hug competed in Jillian Harris’s season of The Bachelorette , and his family said he struggled with depression.
I am in complete shock and devastated to hear the news about Gia. She was one of the sweetest people I have ever known.
— Jake Pavelka (@jakepavelka1) August 14, 2013
Im so sad to hear about Alexa. Such a beautiful girl. My heart breaks for her family. Covering them in prayer during this rough time.
— Jake Pavelka (@jakepavelka1) February 17, 2016
While Sean Lowe doesn’t go so far as to point a finger at the ABC reality show, his statement that three deaths in six years should “cause us all to pause” is telling. And Sean isn’t the only former star of the hit dating series who’s speaking out about the suicides. In an interview with Life & Style , Bachelorette Season 4 winner Jesse Csincsak said the long-running reality show has ruined lives .
“‘Bachelor’ is one of the most dangerous shows. It is not about finding love, it is about embarrassing the hell out of each and every contestant for ratings and money. It ruins people’s lives. I’m afraid this won’t be the last suicide.”
Csincsak, who was friends with McAllister and Allemand, said being on the show can cause depression and emotional issues, despite the fact that cast members are put through a vigorous screening process that includes psychological evaluations. Csincsak even says producers use the information they get to create stress and controversy.
“They have you write down your fears and if you say you are afraid of heights, they make sure they put you on the top of a skyscraper — that’s what makes good TV. Their key is manipulation, and their knowledge of all your fears is power.”
While Sean Lowe has now addressed the three Bachelor deaths, producers for the show have not talked about the suicides except to offer condolences to the families.
Take a look at the video to see Gia Allemand’s mother taking to Dr. Phil about her daughter’s suicide.
[Photo by Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for WE tv]