In a development that should absolutely surprise no one familiar with The Bachelor or The Bachelorette, Gabby Windey and Erich Schwer go their separate ways.
Speculation about the status of this couple, who met and allegedly fell in love in the last season of this franchise, began in earnest just a few days ago.
Following her routine on Monday night’s episode of Dancing with the Stars, Gabby was asked how things were going with her fiancé.
And his answer did not inspire much confidence.
“I think life is really busy for both of us right now,” the 31-year-old explained, without providing many details.
“So, I understand your concern, but we are, you know, moving forward with each of our individual interests and supporting each other from afar.”
For the record, Windey was NOT wearing her engagement ring in the aforementioned installment.
And Erich was not present at the recording.
People Magazine is now reporting that Windey has confirmed the split to her editors, while E! News has quoted an insider as saying the following:
“She felt like they weren’t aligned and they weren’t on the same page.
“Gabby hoped that they could give each other space and work it out, but in the end she decided they had no future.”
It doesn’t seem like any scandal led to this breakup, though it’s entirely possible that Gabby never got over a certain scandal that plagued the couple during her run as The Bachelorette.
At one point, a woman came forward and claimed that Schwer broke up with her just before he left to tape the show.
However, he strongly implied via text message that he was just making an appearance to gain some clout and asked his girlfriend to wait for him.
During the live special After the Final Rose, Schwer addressed this accusation and referred to the woman in question as follows:
“I cheated on her and I want to own that. There are no hard feelings towards this girl at all. I understand her actions.
“I didn’t want to have a difficult conversation. But I have learned a lot from it. I want to own that 100 percent.
“I have no hard feelings for this girl. It’s a mistake I made on my part. … I was using the show as an excuse not to confront her about our relationship. She didn’t see a future, but we were having fun…
“Love [Gabby] with all my heart. 100 percent true. I never expected it. I want this to be forever.”
Sadly, it won’t be forever, despite all the kind words exchanged between the reality stars on this year’s season finale.
“When I met you, I was immediately 100 percent myself. I have never met anyone with whom I felt so comfortable, with such a deep connection. I felt like I really knew you for years,” Schwer told the ICU nurse at the time.
“I didn’t know it, but I had met my soul mate. You finally broke down your barriers, and I think our relationship transcended to this insane level…
“You literally make me feel like I’m the only person in the world. And I will fight every day for the rest of my life to keep that feeling. I love you, Gaby Windey. You are amazing. You are the most amazing person I have ever met.
“It’s you and me until the wheels fall off. I am madly in love with you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Neither Gabby nor Erich have yet addressed this division in public.
We’ll be sure to update this post if they do.
We wish both halves of the former couple nothing but the best of luck moving forward.
