The Bachelorette producers may claim otherwise, but I’m certain they do enough background checks on their contestants that they had to know about Devin Strader’s past before he was brought onto the show. Throughout the run of The Bachelor franchise, there have been villains whose actions have been revealed after the season to be even more dastardly than viewers thought. From former Bachelor Chris Soules to reformed Bachelorette villain Brayden Bowers, there have been figures from each season who haven’t been the wholesome or genuine people Bachelor Nation was led to believe they were. This season, Devin took that title.
Devin’s behavior throughout The Bachelorette season 21 rubbed me the wrong way from the beginning. I didn’t like the fact that he was so outward with his emotions from the start before it seemed possible to know Jenn Tran well enough to feel so strongly about her. Devin’s villain role wasn’t necessarily an outwardly difficult thing to watch, as he appeared at first like the archetype of the guy who would simply bring all the drama to the lead in hopes it would curry favor. As Devin’s journey continued, it became clear that he was doing more than viewers realized.
Devin Was A Drama Magnet On The Bachelorette
He Was Looking For His Moment
Although Devin ultimately found himself at the end of The Bachelorette season 21 having won Jenn’s heart, his journey to get there was fraught with drama of his own making. Devin was consistently stirring the pot for the rest of the cast of The Bachelorette season 21, making it difficult for others to trust him or even feel like they could understand him. Rather than making friends with the rest of the guys in the cast, Devin threw them under the bus to Jenn regularly, making it his sole mission to be the most open, vulnerable guy in her group.
Devin Has A Criminal Background
He’s Violated An Exes Restraining Order
Devin’s background is checkered in a way that I’m not sure how the producers of The Bachelorette felt comfortable ignoring. With public documents revealing his criminal record, it’s come to light that in a past relationship, Devin was physically violent and ignorant of boundaries. Devin’s ex-girlfriend filed a restraining order against The Bachelorette star after their relationship came to an end and he would consistently break into her home in order to antagonize her and destroy her belongings.
While Devin was served a restraining order and charged for his crimes, he broke the restraining order more than once, which added to his charges. Devin has yet to speak up about his past, but his actions speak far louder than any words could. His exes description of the physical and verbal abuse that took place in their relationship, which has been in the public record for years, is brutal to read and makes it even more shocking that Devin was cleared for casting.
Devin Was Cast For His Past & The Chance He Would Cause Drama
The Bachelorette Producers Knew What They Were Doing
I believe that though The Bachelorette and the rest of the franchise speaks up about caring for those on the show, the fact that Devin was cast at all is a major red flag. It’s clear that Devin was cast not only despite his past but for the fact that he could snap any time. While The Bachelorette producers weren’t trying to put anyone in physical danger, they also knew that Devin would start drama in at least one way on the series. The show’s producers cared more about the drama of the season than the safety of its lead.