Who Really Wins ‘The Bachelor’?
As the season finale of ‘The Bachelor’ aired this week, I decided to take Prompt 3, ‘selling out’ on social media, and to apply to the world of the Bachelor.
On the Bachelor, and its subsequent spin offs, women and men are competing against each other for the heart of one potential suitor. But is that all they are competing for?
A growing trend is for Bachelor castoffs to quit their jobs from before the show, and after filming wraps, become internet personalities. Whether that be for their own blog, appearing on other publications, or just branding their own Instagrams, Bachelor stars grow and cultivate their own online followings. As a case study, I’ve decided to pick out a few Bachelor stars who have followed this formula:
- Becca Tilley
Becca was first on Chris Soules’ (aka the farmer from middle of nowhere Iowa) season of the Bachelor. She was sweet, innocent, and had perfectly wavy hair. Unfortunately, she came second, and was sent home in tears. If you’re wondering, the girl who did win and Chris did eventually split up before a wedding could happen. Becca then appeared on the next season of the Bachelor with Ben Higgins. Again, she didn’t win. But, she did grow a considerable following on Instagram.
She now has 1.1 million followers, but most of her posts are ads for brands. She is seen as relatable, girl next door material. She also recently started dating another Bachelor cast off, Robert something (I never watched the season he was on, so it’s irrelevant to me). The image is portrayed as she didn’t win the show, but she’s winning the game. She’s created a life full of happiness, even after heartbreak on national television. Why wouldn’t brands want to partner with her?
2. Amanda Stantonn
Amanda was on Ben Higgin’s season of the Bachelor too, lost, then appeared on Bachelor in Paradise. She’s known for her two cute kids and her long blonde hair, and this has made her an Instagram sensation. She has a million followers, and if I had to count how many times someone said ‘goals’ in the comments on her photos, I wouldn’t have enough time left to write this blog post. She mostly promotes protein shakes, hair appliances and clothing brands, but her image is that of a mom that can have super cute kids, and look cute all the time.
3. Grant Kemp
Although it seems to be mainly women who heavily endorse products on Instagram, men from the Bachelor franchise do too. Grant Kemp was on Jojo’s season of the Bachelorette, lost, then appeared on Bachelor in Paradise, ending in an engagement with Lace Morris. They had matching tattoos and all (‘Grace’ if you were wondering). But unfortunately, they didn’t work out, but his Instagram career seems to be going pretty well. He promotes teeth whitening products, subscription boxes, and seems to potentially have a modelling career on the horizon. He’s selling his appearance, as evident by his many shirtless photos of his impressive abs.
I may sound cynical about all these Bachelor castoffs who promote products. It’s because I am. People now go on to the show to want fame and fortune; from the attention they will receive after the show. Is it so bad of me to want at least a shred of sincerity from people who go onto a show looking for love? When the show first started before Instagram even existed, I’m sure people went on for a bit of fame from television. But eventually the buzz around them would fade, because there was no digital spark to keep the flame going. They had to be there at least for a chance at love. Now people go onto the show to launch their career, a career in being an internet personality, forgetting the original premise of the show.
Is this really even a successful business model? It’s yet to be proven, but these personalities must eventually reach a peak in their careers. Unlike movie stars or musicians, who release new content and projects, these castoffs may do a few minor projects, but they will probably reach the same visibility that they had when they were on the show. So is selling ads on Instagram just a thing to do while they’re in the spotlight? What happens when that spotlight fades, and they still have bills to pay?
Maybe this is too much to think about people who grace my television every Monday night for two hours. And I don’t think they are sellouts necessarily. They are seizing an opportunity presented to them, it’s us as their audience that feed the cycle of ads. If we didn’t like or comment on their photos with ads, eventually they would have to stop, as companies wouldn’t be getting the exposure. If you see someone promoting something on Instagram, it’s because they have eyes on their account. Our level of engagement is their salary. Maybe it’s time we start critically examining where we place our likes and comments, as carefully as where we spend our physical money.
