Random Things You Never Knew About The Bachelor Contestants' Contractual Obligations (14 items)

• 

  (#3) It Has To Look Like A Tight Race

  Many Bachelors and Bachelorettes have admitted later that they knew who their final pick was going to be much earlier than the finale. But of course, that's not as entertaining as a neck-and-neck competition for one person's heart.

  The lead is contractually obligated to adhere to the format of the show, which includes weekly eliminations of a certain number of contestants. While they might be allowed to make a random or out-of-order cut here and there, the show is slated for a certain number of episodes, and therefore a certain timeline.

  Trista Sutter, the first Bachelorette, later lamented that she didn't tell her now-husband, Ryan Sutter, how she felt about him on the show. She didn't share her feelings at the time because she was worried about the money on the line if she broke her contract with ABC. The leads can't just express their love for a contestant willy-nilly.
• 

  (#2) There Are Hidden Cameras And Microphones

  As specifically stipulated in the Bachelor/Bachelorette's contracts, the show's producers have the right to film the lead 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They also have the right to record stars secretly with hidden cameras and microphones.

  Rest assured, though, the contract does specify that these hidden cameras "shall not be positioned to intentionally capture images of you urinating or defecating in the bathroom."
• 

  (#12) There's Little Room For Politics

  Even during times of political turmoil, the Bachelor franchise has remained steadfastly apolitical. The leads selected are generally politically neutral, or at least appear that way. Why? For one, the show offers many viewers a form of escapism. Second, picking a staunchly political lead automatically alienates a large portion of viewers in either direction.

  Former contestants have said that, when they start discussing politics on-camera, their conversations have been directed elsewhere. Bachelor and Bachelorettes under contract have remained conspicuously silent on politics. And when former Bachelor Ben Higgins put in a bid to run as a Republican for the Colorado House in 2016, he mysteriously dropped out less than a week later. Reports suggested that Higgins - who at the time was filming a spin-off series with his fiancée for Freeform (an ABC affiliate) - was pressured by the network to bail from his budding political career.

  The tide may be changing, as contestants on more recents seasons have been able to talk about more political topics. However, there's a good chance it won't make it to air.
• 

  (#9) The Couples Have To Go On Secret Dates

  After the Bachelor or Bachelorette selects the "winner," they can't just go catch a movie. Until the show airs and the final couple is debuted at the live after show, the couple isn't allowed to be seen together publicly. 

  To lessen the sting of this forced separation, ABC coordinates secret meet-ups between the two. They generally receive a five-day vacation near where the proposal is filmed. After that, every 10 days or so the couple is taken separately to a "safe house" where they can spend some time together.
• 

  (#4) Contestants Are Supposed To Keep It Confidential

  The Bachelor/Bachelorette and all contestants on the show sign contracts with an extensive section on confidentiality. They are not allowed to discuss what happened on the show until it's finished airing, even to family members. If they breach this part of the contract, ABC is within its bounds to seek legal recourse or monetary compensation. If you're the star, you can be on the hook for up to $5 million. Yikes. 

  Of course, secrets come out. Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe inadvertently spoiled the ending of her own season by Snapchatting the winner, Shawn Booth, in bed with her. ABC didn't comment on the incident, even though Bristowe owned up to the mistake. She wasn't sued by the network.
• 

  (#8) There's No Internet Access - Not Even For The Star

  Many former contestants have spoken out about the isolation of the Bachelor Mansion; apparently, there are no books, no television, no phones, and no Internet. It turns out even the lead is cut off from the outside world.

  This might be a tactic to get stir-crazy and dramatic material from contestants, but why imprison your lead? From former Bachelor Sean Lowe's story, it sounds like a precaution to keep you unbiased about your contestants. He recounts sneaking onto the internet on a producer's iPad and immediately Googling his final two women.

New Random Displays    Display All By Ranking