Rachel Lindsay wasn’t just another lead. When she stepped out of that limo for The Bachelorette season 13 in 2017, the stakes were sky-high. She was a high-powered attorney from Dallas, she was whip-smart, and she was making history as the first Black lead in the franchise’s history.
Honestly, the show felt different that year. There was a weight to it that usually doesn't exist when you're watching grown men fight over a rose in a mansion.
But if you ask any member of Bachelor Nation what they remember most about that season, it isn't the historic casting. It’s that gut-wrenching, three-hour finale in Spain. It's the eyelashes. It’s the "mediocre life" comment. And now, in 2026, looking back at where everyone ended up, that season feels like a fever dream that changed the show forever.
The Peter Kraus Breakup: Why We’re Still Talking About It
Most reality TV breakups are forgettable. You see some tears, a suitcase gets wheeled away, and everyone moves on to a sponsored Instagram post for hair vitamins. But The Bachelorette season 13 gave us something that felt raw and, frankly, uncomfortable to watch.
Peter Kraus was the frontrunner from day one. He had the gap-tooth smile, the Wisconsin charm, and a connection with Rachel that seemed untouchable. But there was a massive wall: Peter didn't want to propose. He wanted to "leave as a couple" and see if things worked in the real world. Rachel, however, was there for a ring.
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Their final breakup in a hotel room in Rioja was brutal. They cried so hard Rachel’s false eyelashes were literally hanging off her face.
"I'm not going to have a mediocre life," Rachel famously snapped back when Peter suggested she was settling for a proposal over true love.
Even years later, fans argue about who was right. Was Peter being the only sane person on a reality show? Or was he "gaslighting" her by staying until the final day knowing he couldn't give her what she wanted? Rachel has since hinted in her book Miss Me with That that Peter was actually gunning for the Bachelor role, even allegedly asking producers for a $500,000 payday to do it.
Bryan Abasolo and the "Consolation Prize" Narrative
Because the Peter breakup was so cinematic, the actual winner—Bryan Abasolo—got a bit of a raw deal in the edit. People called him "too smooth" or "LePills" (a dig at his chiropractor background).
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Rachel has spent years defending her choice, insisting that her connection with Bryan was deeper and more mature than what she had with Peter. And for a long time, it looked like she proved everyone wrong. They got married in 2019 in Mexico. They moved to Miami, then Los Angeles. They were the "success story" that the doubters said would never happen.
Where Are They Now? The 2026 Reality Check
If you haven't checked the headlines lately, the "happily ever after" for The Bachelorette season 13 hit a major wall. In early 2024, Bryan Abasolo filed for divorce after four years of marriage.
It wasn't a "conscious uncoupling" either. It got messy.
- The Divorce Settlement: By early 2025, the divorce was finalized, but Rachel was ordered to pay Bryan a $500,000 equalization payment.
- The Backlash: Fans were divided. Some felt Bryan was "leeching" off Rachel's success as a media personality; others pointed out that California is a community property state and this is just how legal splits work.
- Rachel's Career: Despite the personal drama, Rachel has become arguably the most successful person to ever come out of the franchise. She’s hosted for Extra, she's a top-tier podcaster, and she’s a consistent voice for diversity in media.
The "Whaboom" and the Villains We Forgot
We can't talk about season 13 without mentioning the sheer absurdity of the casting. Remember Lucas Yancey? The guy whose entire personality was yelling "WHABOOM!" at the top of his lungs?
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Then there was the actual dark side of the season. Lee Garrett was cast despite a history of racist tweets, which led to a massive confrontation with Kenny King (the professional wrestler and fan favorite). Rachel has since been very vocal about how the producers handled this, essentially forcing her to navigate racial tensions for "good TV" while she was trying to find a husband.
It was a turning point. It exposed the "Bachelor Bubble" for what it was—a place that wasn't always safe or fair for leads of color.
Actionable Takeaways for Bachelor Nation Fans
If you're looking back at The Bachelorette season 13 or watching it for the first time on streaming, here is how to view the "lore" of this season:
- Don't trust the "Final Two" edit. Producers often edit the runner-up to look like the "soulmate" to make the finale more dramatic. Rachel has insisted for years that Bryan was always her choice, despite the Peter drama getting more airtime.
- Follow the legal updates. If you're interested in the "afterlife" of the show, Rachel's divorce proceedings provide a fascinating (and sobering) look at what happens to "Bachelor Wealth" when the cameras stop rolling.
- Read Rachel's book. For the real "behind the scenes" on the Peter/Bryan/Producer triangle, Miss Me with That offers a perspective the show never allowed her to have.
Season 13 wasn't just a search for love. It was a cultural moment that broke the fourth wall and showed the cracks in the reality TV facade. Whether you're Team Peter or Team Bryan, you have to admit—Rachel Lindsay made sure we’d never look at a rose ceremony the same way again.