The Bachelor secrets exposed in new bombshell book

A new book by Emily Nussbaum, dives deep into the tactics used by The Bachelor’s producers to incite sensational actions among the female contestants, often pushing them towards the edge of propriety.

The publication highlights notorious instances such as the pool antics involving Corrine Olympios and DeMario Jackson at the Bachelor in Paradise resort. As Emily pointed out in her book: "somebody (over)served them all that alcohol. Producers knew what they were doing at the time." 

Casting choices were calculated with Marki Costello, a casting director. Marki admitted to looking for women with emotional vulnerabilities who could be easily coaxed into breaking down on camera, because, as Marki puts it, “That’s gold.”

The extent of manipulation revealed goes beyond casting. Contestants were psychologically profiled with notes on traits likely to cause emotional distress. 

The environment was manipulated by limiting food and providing abundant alcohol, pushing contestants towards breakdowns. Rhonda Rittenhouse, from the show's first season, described feeling like a “caged rat,” overwhelmed by the alcohol-heavy setting.

Behind-the-scenes manipulation on the set of The Bachelor

Contestants faced demeaning challenges designed to humiliate them, like being coerced into belly dancing or hot tub scenes under intense pressure. Emily shared a disturbing anecdote about Mike Fleiss, who “browbeat a contestant for two hours into taking off her robe and getting into a hot tub."

Mike’s behavior showcased the extreme measures taken to manufacture scandalous television.

Moreover, producers were reportedly rewarded with cash bonuses for causing dramatic meltdowns. Describing these incentives, the book claimed: “The show’s supervising producer described peeling off $100 bills, rewarding producers for special achievements, like getting a girl to cry on camera.”

The backstage environment mirrored the chaos seen on-screen. The crew, along with the cast, engaged freely in drinking and even marijuana use during shoots. Emily noted that Mike enjoyed tequila while overseeing production, painting a picture of a thoroughly unprofessional set environment. 

Revelations of an alleged open affair between Mike and executive producer Lisa Levenson, both married to others at the time, add another layer of scandal to the off-camera dynamics.

This book not only exposes the questionable ethics of reality TV production but also highlights the profound impacts these practices have on the participants. 

Viewers can watch episodes of The Bachelor on Hulu.