ABC's hit reality dating show The Bachelor turns 20 years old this coming March. Now currently in its 26th season, the show has remained popular due to its compelling cast of eligible singles as well as the titular lead looking for true love and holy matrimony. Sometimes it's the Bachelor who stands out the most, other times it's the ing cast of romantic hopefuls who steal the show.
As Clayton Echard continues to woo his way to the final rose ceremony this season, now is the perfect time to highlight the most memorable casts of the long-running reality show.
Season 1
While it may be hard to nowadays, the first season of Bachelorette in the first official spinoff series.
In addition to parlaying Trista's star power into a popular spinoff, other compelling cast such as Shannon Oliver and eventual winner Amanda Marsh stood out, the latter of which won the inaugural Bachelor Alex Michael's heart. Marsh and Michael's romance helped lead to the third most-viewed season finale in show history with over 18 million people tuning in. Without the success of the initial cast, there may be no show to speak of.
Season 5
In addition to making history by boasting the youngest male suitor and first non-American Bachelor, Season 5 introduced the world to a few bona fide TV stars. The first includes Bachelor Jesse Palmer, a former NFL player who has since parlayed his appearance into a broadcasting and TV career who stars on College Gameday and hosts several shows on the Food Network. Palmer even returned to host The Bachelor season 26.
Other standouts in the cast of season 5 include Mandy Clemons, a professional woman's soccer player who has since become a mental health counselor. Jesse showed his age by saying the wrong name at the rose ceremony and asking Jessica to explore a relationship without being engaged. Jesse's dramatic breakup with Tara and Trish's refusal to exit the show rank among the cast's most memorable moments.
Season 11
Brad Womack made series history in season 11 by becoming the first Bachelor to reject every suitor during the final ceremony. Yet, the season still had one of the most impressive casts. Womack proved to be such a draw that he was invited back to lead season 15. Meanwhile, season standout DeAnna Pappas was so compelling that she was chosen to be The Bachelorette for season 4.
Beyond Brad and DeAnna, Phoenix Suns cheerleader Jenni Croft provided one of the juiciest love triangles in show history, leading to co-runner ups. Other memorable stars include bartender Sarah Newlon, who later appeared on Bachelor Pad, and Kristy Katzmann, who starred on Labor of Love in 2020.
Season 14
Bachelor Nation is fully aware of the name Jake Pavelka and all of the dramatic connotations it brings. Indeed, the season 14 bachelor returned after making waves on The Bachelorette 5 to headline his own wildly entertaining season.
Season 18
Juan Pablo Galavis made history in season 18 by becoming the first Latino Bachelor on the show. While the casting coup deserves credit, the addition of powerhouse Clare Crawley really took the cast to the next level. After being rejected in favor of Nikki Ferrell, Clare uncorked her true personality and made such great television that she was cast on the first two seasons of Bachelor in Paradise.
Crawley continued to stand out in appearances on The Bachelor Winter Games before being cast as The Bachelorette in season 16, making her the oldest female suitor in show history at 39. Aside from Clare defying ageist stereotypes, season 18 also featured fan-favorite Andi Dorfman, who famously walked out on Juan Pablo before being named The Bachelorette in season 10.
Season 19
Season 19 featured a slew of riveting personalities, many of which have forged successful TV careers. Bachelor Chris Soules took the lead after stealing the show on The Bachelorette 10, ultimately channeling his charm to post-appearances on Dancing with the Stars.
However, the real stars of season 19 include Ashley Iaconetti and third-place finisher Kaitlyn Bristowe, both of which have broken out to become mega-popular reality TV faces who've made multiple stints on The Bachelorette, Bachelor in Paradise, and The Bachelor Winter Games. And this doesn't even include the badass WWE diva, Devin Taylor, who made her presence felt in a short time.
Season 20
Thanks in large part to the breakout turn from reality star JoJo Fletcher, Season 20 boasted one of the all-time best casts in show history. Never mind the globetrotting cameos from Kevin Hart, Ice Cube, Alex Morgan, Paul George, and more, it was Jojo and others like Caila Quinn Amanda Stanton, and famous news anchor Olivia Caridi that stole the show.
While Ben Higgins did his best to stand out as the Bachelor, it was the ladies who commanded the onscreen drama throughout the season. As such, 10 of the cast were asked to Bachelor in Paradise while twins Emily and Hayley scored their own reality show, The Twins: Happily Ever After.
Season 21
Every Bachelor fan knows about the infamy of Nick Viall, the polarizing runner-up of The Bachelorette 10 and 11. He takes center stage in season 21, where his star-power is downright eclipsed by the likes of Rachel Lindsay, Raven Gates, Corinne Olympios, and winner Vanessa Grimaldi.
Rachel not only wooed audiences to become the first Black lead in The Bachelorette later in the year, but Viall went on to appear on Dancing with the Stars. The majority of the cast was invited back to Bachelor in Paradise, and Jasmine Goode even parlayed her star-power for a stint on Ex on the Beach.
Season 23
All things considered, season 23 probably has the best Bachelor cast. Colton Underwood's history-making revelation is well documented, but it's the undeniable all-star lineup of Hannah Brown, Hannah Goodwin, Tayshia Adams, Demi Burnett, and Caelynn Miller-Keyes that made the season soar.
Adams and Brown both became series leads on The Bachelorette following their charismatic appearances, with Burnett making appearances in both seasons. Moreover, 13 of the 29 female cast returned for Bachelor in Paradise, a huge ission that viewers wanted to see more of them moving forward.
Season 25
With a total of 37 cast to choose from, season 25 had no shortage of breakout stars. Matt James led the charge as the debonaire lead, giving way to the glamorous Michelle Young, Katie Thurston, and former Miss Universe Puerto Rico, Catalina Morales.
Thurston and Young became so popular among viewers that they were named The Bachelorette in seasons 17 and 18, respectively, with several other cast appearing on Bachelor in Paradise, Bachelor in Paradise Canada, and James himself competing on Dancing with the Stars. While the hosting controversy mired the season overall, the collection of bona fide TV stars in season 25 should not be overshadowed.