What Really Goes On Behind the Scenes? Ben Higgins & Ashley Iaconetti Spill Shocking Secrets About Bachelor Nation

What Really Goes On Behind the Scenes? Ben Higgins & Ashley Iaconetti Spill Shocking Secrets About Bachelor Nation

If you thought the drama on The Bachelor was wild, just wait until you hear what goes on when the cameras aren’t rolling. Former Bachelor Ben Higgins and fan-favorite contestant Ashley Iaconetti have lifted the curtain on the franchise we all love (and sometimes love to hate). And what they reveal? Let’s just say… Bachelor Nation will never look the same again.

Behind-the-Scenes Bombshells

Appearing on a recent podcast episode that had fans hanging on every word, Ben and Ashley didn’t hold back. With years of experience in the franchise — from rose ceremonies to teary limo exits — these two know exactly how the Bachelor sausage gets made.

And according to them? It’s not all champagne toasts and fairy tale proposals.

One of the biggest revelations? Contestants don’t always know what they’ve signed up for. “A lot of people go in thinking it’s going to be glamorous,” Ashley admitted. “But what they don’t realize is that it’s emotionally draining. You’re isolated, you’re sleep-deprived, and you’re constantly being pushed to open up for the camera.”

Manipulation? It Happens.

Ben Higgins, who famously handed out roses in Season 20, confessed that while not everything is scripted, producers do play a very active role in the drama. “They don’t tell you exactly what to say, but they definitely guide conversations,” he said. “They know which buttons to push and when to push them.”

Ashley added that it’s common for producers to subtly encourage certain relationships — or rivalries — if they think it’ll make good TV. “It’s like chess,” she explained. “They’re constantly moving pieces to create the story they want.”

Romance vs. Reality

While some couples truly find love in front of millions, Ben and Ashley were honest about the pressure that comes with televised relationships. “It’s hard to build something real when everything is so hyper-romanticized,” Ben said. “You don’t have a normal foundation. You’re literally falling in love in a fantasy world.”

Ashley, who is now happily married to fellow Bachelor Nation alum Jared Haibon, agreed. “The show gives you the butterflies, but it’s the real-life stuff that makes or breaks a relationship. That part doesn’t make it to air.”

Fan Favorites Are Made — Not Born

Another juicy tidbit? Your favorite contestants aren’t always as they seem. Editing plays a huge role in shaping who comes off as the villain, the sweetheart, or the comic relief.

“Someone could say something sarcastic and suddenly they’re edited to look like the mean girl,” Ashley revealed. “It’s all in the hands of the editors.”

So, Should We Still Watch?

Despite the drama behind the curtain, both Ben and Ashley say they’re grateful for the experience — and they still watch the show. But they do encourage fans to take what they see with a grain of salt.

“It’s entertainment,” Ben said. “It’s real people, but not always real situations.”

So the next time you’re yelling at the TV over a rose ceremony gone wrong, just remember: there’s always more than meets the eye in Bachelor Nation.