‘Bachelor’ Exes Set to Both Join Reality Show

Former “Bachelor” stars Clayton Echard and Rachel Recchia are preparing to reunite on Netflix’s “Perfect Match” season 3, marking their first on-screen appearance together since their emotional breakup during Echard’s season of “The Bachelor” in 2022. The announcement was part of Netflix’s official cast reveal for the show’s third season, which premieres on August 1.

This reunion represents a significant moment for both reality stars, who have each navigated their own paths in the dating show universe since their initial connection ended. Recchia went on to co-lead “The Bachelorette” alongside Gabby Windey and later appeared on “Bachelor in Paradise,” while Echard dated fellow “Bachelor” contestant Susie Evans for nearly a year before that relationship also concluded.

This is the first time “Perfect Match” has brought in stars from dating shows outside of Netflix, expanding beyond its usual pool of contestants.

A Complicated “Bachelor” History

The relationship between Echard and Recchia was marked by drama that captivated Bachelor Nation viewers. Their connection fell apart after Echard revealed to both Recchia and Windey that he was in love with both of them and had been intimate with each of them, ultimately choosing to pursue Evans instead.

Despite the painful ending, the former couple has worked toward healing their relationship. In 2023, they reconnected in a group setting with other reality TV alumni, which Echard later described as therapeutic. “For her to forgive me and tell me that, ‘Hey, I understand, and I don’t hold this against you any longer,’ that was probably one of the best things I could have heard,” Echard told Us Weekly.

Their “Perfect Match” profiles suggest both are approaching this opportunity with fresh perspectives. Echard’s bio indicates he’s working to “uncouple from his inner self-saboteur and stop overthinking so he can find the soulmate he’s been searching for,” while Recchia is “entering this competition with ‘no expectations,’ so the only way to go from there is up.”

Star-Studded Cast and Format

The third season features an impressive lineup of reality TV veterans from various networks and shows. Joining Echard and Recchia are “Love Island USA” alums Carrington Rodriguez, Justine Joy, Ray Gantt, and Scott Van-Der-Sluis from the UK version. MTV’s “Siesta Key” star Juliette Porter will also compete for love on the Netflix series.

The Netflix universe will feature contestants from “Love Is Blind,” “Too Hot to Handle,” “The Circle,” “Temptation Island,” and “The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On.” Notable cast members include “Love Is Blind UK’s” Amber Desiree “AD” Smith and Ollie Sutherland, who made headlines earlier this year when they announced their engagement and pregnancy after meeting on “Perfect Match.”

Host Nick Lachey teased the upcoming drama in the season’s announcement trailer, asking, “Will they play for love or play to win? Let the games begin!”

“Perfect Match” brings together singles from various reality shows to a tropical paradise where they compete to form relationships. The most compatible couples gain the power to play matchmaker, potentially breaking up other couples and arranging dates with new arrivals to the villa. Season 3 will follow a weekly release schedule, with the first six episodes dropping August 1, followed by three more episodes on August 8, and the finale airing August 15.

The previous season concluded with Christine Obanor and Nigel Euro from “Too Hot to Handle” claiming the title of “Perfect Match,” despite their relatively short time together. Fan favorites Jessica Vestal from “Love Is Blind” and Harry Jowsey from “Too Hot to Handle” ended their relationship just before the finale.