It was messy. Really messy. If you watched Bachelor in Paradise back in 2015, you probably remember Ashley Iaconetti as the girl who wouldn't stop crying over a guy who just wasn't that into her. That guy was Jared Haibon. He was the "cool" one, the guy trying to be polite while clearly looking for the nearest exit every time Ashley started talking about their future children.
Nobody thought they’d make it. Not the fans, not the producers, and honestly, probably not even Jared for a long time.
But fast forward to now, and Jared and Ashley from The Bachelor are basically the blueprint for how a "friend zone" situation can actually turn into a functional, long-term marriage. They’ve got the house, the kid, the business, and a relationship that survived the meat grinder of reality TV fame. It's a weirdly inspiring story because it’s so deeply relatable—who hasn't been the person liking someone way more than they liked you back?
The Long, Crying Road to Paradise
Ashley I. became a franchise icon for one reason: her honesty. She didn't hide her emotions. When she met Jared on the beaches of Sayulita during Season 2 of Paradise, it was instant for her. For him? Not so much. He was coming off Kaitlyn Bristowe’s season and seemed more interested in literally anyone else.
The dynamic was painful to watch. Ashley was transparent about her virginity, her obsession with 90s rom-coms, and her absolute conviction that Jared was "the one." Jared spent most of that season and the following one (Season 3) trying to navigate her feelings without being a total jerk, which usually just led to more tears.
What people forget is the timeline. This wasn't a three-week fling that turned into a wedding. This was three years of "will they, won't they" that mostly looked like "they definitely won't." They stayed best friends. They traveled together. They did podcast appearances. They were "platonic" in the way that only two incredibly attractive reality stars can be.
Then came 2018.
The "Story of Us" video they dropped on YouTube changed everything. It was a 45-minute deep dive into how Jared finally realized he was in love with her after she started dating Kevin Wendt on The Bachelor Winter Games. Nothing motivates a guy quite like seeing the girl who’s been pining for him finally move on with a Canadian firefighter.
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Why Their Relationship Actually Works
Most Bachelor couples fail because they mistake "vacation love" for real life. You’re in a villa, the drinks are free, and you don't have to pay a mortgage. When the cameras turn off, the relationship collapses.
Jared and Ashley did it backwards.
They did the hard part first. They saw each other at their absolute worst—ugly crying, dating other people, fighting in public—before they ever officially became a couple. By the time Jared proposed on the beach in 2018 (during Season 5 of Paradise), they already knew how to communicate.
They got married in Rhode Island in 2019. It was a massive Bachelor reunion, but it felt different from the usual televised weddings. There was a sense of "finally" in the air.
The Reality of "Bachelor" Fame and Business
Let’s talk money and career. Most contestants try to stay in the spotlight by hopping from one reality show to another. Jared and Ashley did some of that, sure, but they also leaned heavily into the "influencer" and "entrepreneur" space.
They opened Audrey’s Coffee House & Lounge in Rhode Island. It’s named after Ashley’s mom, and it’s a real, brick-and-mortar business. They didn't just put their names on a brand of vitamins; they actually moved to Jared’s home state and opened a cafe. That’s a level of "real world" commitment you don't often see from people who got famous for wearing bikinis on TV.
Ashley has also carved out a massive niche in the podcasting world. Almost Famous, which she co-hosts with Ben Higgins, is a staple for fans. She’s become a legitimate media personality who understands the mechanics of the show better than almost anyone else.
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Parenting in the Spotlight
In January 2022, they had their son, Dawson. Named after Dawson’s Creek, obviously.
Parenthood changed their public image. They went from the "dramatic couple" to the "exhausted parents." Ashley has been incredibly vocal about the realities of pregnancy and postpartum life, including her struggles with nausea and the shift in her relationship with Jared.
They don’t sugarcoat it. In various interviews and on their social media, they’ve talked about how hard it is to maintain a romantic spark when you're dealing with a toddler. It’s refreshing. In a world of filtered Instagram perfection, they’re still the same slightly chaotic, overly emotional people they were on TV.
What We Can Learn From the Iaconetti-Haibon Saga
You can't force it. That's the biggest takeaway.
Ashley spent years trying to force Jared to love her, and it didn't work. It only happened when she stepped back, lived her own life, and let him realize what he was missing. It’s a classic trope, but in their case, it played out in front of millions of people.
They also proved that being "the crier" or "the emotional one" isn't a death sentence for a relationship. Ashley’s intensity is exactly what keeps their brand—and their marriage—going. She’s the engine; Jared is the brakes.
Common Misconceptions
People still think Jared was "pressured" into the relationship. You see it in the comments sections sometimes—people claiming he just gave in because she was persistent.
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That’s a pretty cynical way to look at it. If you watch them now, years into a marriage and a business partnership, it’s clear they’re a team. Jared isn't some victim of persistence; he's a guy who realized his best friend was actually the person he wanted to spend his life with.
Another misconception is that their life is just one big Bachelor party. In reality, they spend a lot of time in Rhode Island, away from the LA scene. They’ve built a life that exists outside of the franchise, which is probably why they're one of the few couples still standing.
How to Follow Their Journey
If you’re looking to keep up with them, there are a few places that offer more than just the surface-level Instagram stuff:
- The Almost Famous Podcast: This is where Ashley gets into the weeds of Bachelor gossip but also shares updates on her life.
- Help! I Suck at Dating: Jared’s podcast (with Dean Unglert/Bell and Nick Viall/others over the years) gives a different perspective on their dynamic.
- Audrey’s Coffee House: If you’re ever in South Kingstown, RI, you can actually go there. It’s a physical manifestation of their life together.
The Success Blueprint
If you're wondering how they did it, it comes down to three things:
- Radical Honesty: They didn't try to hide the messy parts of their beginning.
- Geographic Pivot: They moved away from the "influencer bubble" of Los Angeles.
- Diversified Income: They built businesses (podcasting, coffee shop, brand deals) that didn't rely solely on being on a TV screen.
Practical Steps for Fans and Creators
If you’re following Jared and Ashley from The Bachelor because you want to replicate their success—either in love or in the creator economy—take note of their pivot. They transitioned from "characters" to "personalities."
- Focus on the "Long Game": Don't burn out by trying to be relevant every single second. Build something that lasts, like a business or a specific niche.
- Embrace Your Quarks: Ashley’s "crying" was her brand. Instead of hiding it, she leaned into it. Whatever makes you "weird" is usually what makes you memorable.
- Value Friendship Over Romance First: Their foundation was a multi-year friendship. That’s why they haven't crumbled under the pressure of fame.
Jared and Ashley are the rare reality TV anomaly. They started as a punchline and ended up as the gold standard. Whether you loved her "crazy" or his "indecisiveness," you have to respect the fact that they are still here, still together, and still proving everyone wrong.
Check out Ashley's latest blog posts on her lifestyle site for specific parenting gear recommendations or Jared's social media for updates on the cafe's new menu items. Following their transition from reality stars to local business owners is a masterclass in modern branding.