The Bachelor alum Jason Tartick commented on Clayton Echard's disastrous fantasy suite episode. Jason was first introduced to Bachelor Nation during Becca Kufrin's season of The Bachelorette. While he made it pretty far, he was eventually sent home in week 9, just moments before the fantasy suite. Despite only ever being in one season, Jason became a fan-favorite for his kind-hearted spirit, something former Bachelorette and host Kaitlyn Britowe must have noticed, as the pair began dating in 2019 and are currently engaged. Since being on The Bachelorette, Jason has become a public figure in Bachelor Nation. Popping up here and there to give his opinions on current seasons or even to be on his fiancé's podcast, Off The Vine.
Meanwhile, though Clayton's fantasy suite episode started off good, it ended in disaster. His last fantasy suite was with Susie Evans, the frontrunner of the season. Privately to the cameras, Susie admitted that if Clayton was intimate with or had reciprocated similar feelings for any of the other women, she would not be able to continue on the show. Simply put, Susie didn't want her future husband to propose to her when a week prior he had hooked up with, and even said he loved, another woman. This led to an incredibly awkward scene where Clayton admitted he had been intimate with, and said he loved, both of the previous women. Susie respectfully stated she would not be able to continue. But rather than accept this, Clayton decided to blame Susie for his decisions, even going so far as to callously tell her he didn't even know who he was looking at, before sending her packing.
Suffice it to say this did not go over well with Bachelor Nation or Jason. In an interview with Us Weekly, Jason addressed the drama, saying, "I have no issue at all with Clayton being intimate through this journey...I have no issue at all with Susie saying, ‘This is my line in the sand, and if that did occur, it’s not for me.’" Jason clarified, "I didn’t love Clayton’s reaction." Plenty of fans have echoed Jason's sentiment. What bothered them wasn't that Clayton was intimate with multiple women. But rather than respecting and understanding Susie's boundaries, Clayton decided to blame her for his own actions.
Jason went on to explain that Clayton was experiencing, in his opinion, a state of "disarray," making the point that everyone has had a moment where emotions have been high and they've said something they regret. However, that doesn't mean the emotions cancel out the damage done. Though Jason is hopeful for Clayton to at least leave the season with a new takeaway, he went on to say, "I’m excited to see the full story, hear the full story from him and see how he reflects back on that and grows as a person." Jason added that he got to know Clayton a little bit after the show and found Clayton to be "a really kind, sweethearted individual."
Clayton's season has been nothing if not dramatic. However, this has been the first time in a long time where nearly all Bachelor alumni are speaking out about not just the fantasy suites but also the finale. Clayton's decisions have left Bachelor Nation baffled and constantly siding with the women. Though Jason is hoping Clayton will end up with someone, the promos for the finale say another story. Either way, Jason, like most of Bachelor Nation, is excited, saying, "I will have the popcorn."
The Bachelor season 26 finale airs Tuesday, March 15 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.
Source: Us Weekly
