The Bachelor (American TV series) season 20 explained

Season Number:20
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  1. 1B1E2D
Starring:Ben Higgins
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Num Contestants:28
Winner:Lauren Bushnell
Runner Up:Joelle "JoJo" Fletcher
Network:ABC
Num Episodes:12 (including 2 specials)
Episode List:List of The Bachelor (American TV series) episodes

The twentieth season of The Bachelor premiered on January 4, 2016.[1] This season featured 26-year-old Ben Higgins, a software salesman from Warsaw, Indiana.

Higgins attended Indiana University, where he graduated with a BS in business administration and management through the school of public and environmental affairs (SPEA). In addition, he was also a member of Delta Upsilon's Indiana chapter where he served as the vice president of external affairs. He finished in third place on the 11th season of The Bachelorette featuring Kaitlyn Bristowe.

The season concluded on March 14, 2016, with Higgins choosing to propose to 25-year-old flight attendant Lauren Bushnell. They ended their engagement on May 15, 2017.

Filming and development

Casting and contestants

Casting began during the 19th season of the show. On August 24, 2015, during season one, episode four of , Ben Higgins was announced as the next Bachelor.[2] [3]

Notable contestant includes previous season's runner-up Becca Tilley and fellow contestant Amber James; news anchor Olivia Caridi from WCYB-TV; and Joelle "JoJo" Fletcher, who is a half-sister of Ready for Love star Ben Patton.[4]

Production

The season traveled to many places including Las Vegas, Nevada, Mexico City, Mexico, Pig Island in The Bahamas and the state of Indiana, with appearances from rapper Ice Cube, comedian Kevin Hart, soccer players Alex Morgan, Kelley O'Hara, comedian Terry Fator, and Indiana Pacers basketball players Paul George and George Hill.[5]

Contestants

The season began with 28 contestants, including a set of twins.[4] [6]

NameAgeHometownOccupationOutcomePlaceRef
Lauren Bushnell[7] 25West Linn, OregonFlight AttendantWinner1[8]
Joelle "JoJo" Fletcher[9] 24Dallas, TexasReal Estate DeveloperRunner-up2
Caila Quinn[10] 24Hudson, OhioSoftware Sales RepresentativeWeek 93[11]
Amanda Stanton[12] [13] 25Laguna Beach, CaliforniaEstheticianWeek 84[14]
Becca Tilley[15] 26Shreveport, LouisianaChiropractic AssistantWeek 75[16]
Emily Ferguson23Las Vegas, NevadaWaitress6
Lauren Himle[17] 25Dexter, MichiganKindergarten TeacherWeek 67[18]
Olivia Caridi[19] 23Austin, TexasFormer News Anchor8
Leah Block25Greenwood Village, ColoradoEvent Planner9
Jennifer Saviano[20] 25Davie, FloridaSmall Business OwnerWeek 510
Jubilee Sharpe24Fort Lauderdale, FloridaWar Veteran11[21]
Amber James[22] 30Kankakee, IllinoisBartenderWeek 412–13[23]
Rachel Tchen[24] 23Little Rock, ArkansasUnemployed
Haley Ferguson23Las Vegas, NevadaWaitress14
Jami Letain[25] 23St. Albert, AlbertaBartenderWeek 315–16[26]
Shushanna Mkrtychyan[27] 27Salt Lake City, UtahProperty Manager
Lace Morris[28] 25Denver, ColoradoReal Estate Agent17 (quit)
[29] 28Portland, OregonDentistWeek 218–20[30]
Jacqueline "Jackie" Dion[31] 23Newport Beach, CaliforniaGerontologist
Samantha Passmore[32] 26New Smyrna Beach, FloridaAttorney
Lauren "LB" Barr[33] 23Stillwater, OklahomaFashion Buyer21 (quit)
Breanne Rice[34] 30Seattle, WashingtonNutritional TherapistWeek 122–28[35]
[36] 24Branford, ConnecticutGraphic Designer
Jessica Moser[37] 23Boca Raton, FloridaAccountant
Laura Esselman[38] 24Louisville, KentuckyAccount Executive
Lauren Russell[39] 26Houston, TexasMath Teacher
Maegan Miller30Visalia, CaliforniaCowgirl
Tiara Soleim[40] 27Redmond, WashingtonChicken Enthusiast

Future appearances

The Bachelorette

JoJo Fletcher was chosen as the lead of season 12 of The Bachelorette.[41]

Bachelor in Paradise

Season 3

Caila Quinn, Lauren Himle, Tiara Soleim, Jami Letain, Shushanna Mkrtychyan, Jennifer Saviano, Izzy Goodkind, Lace Morris, Jubilee Sharpe, Leah Block, Haley Ferguson, Emily Ferguson, and Amanda Stanton returned for the third season of Bachelor in Paradise. Leah and Jubilee were eliminated in week 1. Emily and Haley quit in week 4. Izzy, Shushanna, and Caila quit in week 5. Lauren, Jami, and Tiara were eliminated in week 5. Jennifer split from Nick Viall in week 6. Amanda and Lace left engaged to Josh Murray and Grant Kemp, respectively.

Season 4

Amanda, Emily and Haley returned for season 4. Emily and Haley quit in week 4. Amanda split from Robby Hayes in week 4.

Season 5

Shushanna and Jubilee returned for season 5. Jubilee quit in week 3. Shushanna split from Robby Hayes in week 6.

Season 6

Jennifer and Haley Ferguson returned for season 6. Jennifer was eliminated in week 3. Haley was eliminated in week 5.

Season 8

Lace returned for season 8.[42] She quit in week 3.

Happily Ever After?

Ben Higgins and Lauren Bushnell appeared in their own reality series, Ben and Lauren: Happily Ever After?, on the sister network Freeform. Emily and Haley starred in the Freeform reality series The Twins: Happily Ever After?

The Bachelor Winter Games

Ben returned for The Bachelor Winter Games under Team USA. He quit in week 3.

Call-out order

Order!rowspan=2
Bachelorettes Week
12345678910
1Lauren B.OliviaJoJoLauren B.JoJoAmandaCailaAmandaJoJo
2CailaLauren B.CailaAmberLauren B.OliviaAmandaCailaJoJo
3JenniferLBOliviaJubileeBeccaLauren H.EmilyJoJoJoJoCaila
4JamiCailaAmandaLauren H.AmandaCailaBeccaCailaAmanda
5SamanthaAmberJubileeAmandaLauren B.JoJoBecca
6JubileeJamiLauren B.BeccaJubileeJoJoLauren B.Emily
7AmandaJenniferLeahHaleyEmilyBecca
8LaceJubileeBeccaEmilyCailaLeahOlivia
9Lauren R.AmandaRachelRachelJenniferEmilyLeah
10ShushannaJoJoLaceCailaLeahJennifer
11LeahLeahJenniferJoJoOliviaJubilee
12JoJoRachelEmilyJenniferAmber
Rachel
13Lauren H.SamanthaJamiLeah
14LauraJackieLauren H.OliviaHaley
15MandiHaleyShushannaJami
Shushanna
16Emily
Haley
EmilyHaley
17ShushannaAmber
18MaeganLauren H.Jackie
Mandi
Samantha
19BreanneBecca
20IzzyMandi
21RachelLace
22JessicaBreanne
Izzy
Jessica
Laura

Maegan
Tiara
23Tiara
24LB
25Jackie
26Olivia
27-28Amber
Becca

The contestant received the first impression rose

The contestant received a rose during the date

The contestant was eliminated

The contestant was eliminated during the date

The contestant was eliminated outside the rose ceremony

The contestant quit the competition

The contestant won the competition

Episodes

See also: List of The Bachelor (American TV series) episodes.

Post-show

On May 15, 2017, the couple announced their breakup.

Ben married Jessica Clarke on November 13, 2021.

Lauren married Chris Lane on October 25, 2019. Lauren and Chris have two children together, Dutton Walker (born June 8, 2021) and Baker Weston (born October 16, 2022).

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ABC winter/spring 2016 premieres: 'The Family' to Sundays, longs breaks for 'Scandal', 'OUAT'. Porter. Rick. TV by the Numbers. November 16, 2015. November 16, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151117165422/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/11/16/abc-winterspring-2016-premieres-the-family-to-sundays-long-breaks-for-scandal-ouat/. November 17, 2015. dead.
  2. Web site: Ben Higgins is the Next Bachelor. ABC. August 24, 2015. September 13, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150905101209/http://abc.go.com/shows/the-bachelor/video/most-recent/VDKA0_t8qhgbyh. September 5, 2015. dead.
  3. Web site: 'Bachelor' Ben Higgins' Ladies Heading To L.A., ABC Sets Season 20 Premiere Date . September 11, 2015 . December 19, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151219114750/http://abc.go.com/shows/the-bachelor/video/most-recent/VDKA0_t8qhgbyh . live.
  4. News: The Bachelor 2016 Contestants Revealed . . December 7, 2015 . December 8, 2015 . Huggins. Sarah . https://web.archive.org/web/20151208231959/http://abc.go.com/shows/the-bachelor/news/updates/151207-bachelor-season-20-contestants-revealed . December 8, 2015. live.
  5. Web site: The Bachelor Season 20 Premiere Spoilers: Guest Stars and Shocking Eliminations. ABC. Huggins. Sara. December 3, 2015. December 5, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151205191704/http://abc.go.com/shows/the-bachelor/news/updates/151202-bachelor-season-20-preview-ben-higgins-kevin-hart-ice-cube. December 5, 2015. live.
  6. Web site: The Bachelor contestants for 2016 season include kindergarten teacher, twins, news anchor. Michiana's News Channel. Vivian, Krystal. December 8, 2015. December 31, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151213150324/http://www.953mnc.com/News/Local/2015/12/08/The-Bachelor-contestants-for-2016-season-include-kindergarten-teacher-twins-news-anchor.html. December 13, 2015. dead.
  7. Web site: Oregon Local News - West Linn's Lauren B. an early 'Bachelor' favorite. Andrew. Kilstrom. Lake Oswego Review. 2016-01-07. 14 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160126064309/http://www.pamplinmedia.com/lor/48-news/287882-164689-west-linns-lauren-b-an-early-bachelor-favorite. 26 January 2016. live.
  8. Web site: The Bachelor Finale Recap: Ben Higgins Makes His Final Pick – and Proposes! – but Does He Still Love Both Women?. People. Corinthios, Aurelie. March 14, 2016. March 15, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160316045118/http://www.people.com/article/bachelor-finale-recap-ben-higgins-chooses-between-lauren-jojo. March 16, 2016. live.
  9. Web site: Fletcher, Don't Let Us Down on The Bachelor. Dallas Observer. Skinner, Paige. January 4, 2016. January 5, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160107045605/http://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/fletcher-dont-let-us-down-on-the-bachelor-7905504. January 7, 2016. live.
  10. Web site: New season of 'The Bachelor' features woman from Hudson, two fan favorites and twins. The Plain Dealer. Cleveland, Ohio. Morona, Joey. December 9, 2015. December 12, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151213090809/http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/12/new_season_of_the_bachelor_fea.html. December 13, 2015. live.
  11. Web site: 'The Bachelor' Recap: Ben Higgins Says 'I Love You' to Two Women During Fantasy Suites. Us Weekly. Bonner, Mehera. February 29, 2016. March 1, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160301120337/http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/the-bachelor-recap-ben-higgins-says-i-love-you-to-two-women-w165827. March 1, 2016. live.
  12. Web site: 'The Bachelor': Chris Harrison on 6 Women to Watch in Season 20. Yahoo. Bell, Carrie. December 8, 2015. December 11, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151222111032/https://www.yahoo.com/tv/bachelor-chris-harrison-6-women-165944387.html?soc_src=mail&soc_trk=ma&linkId=19391325. December 22, 2015. live.
  13. Web site: South County Woman to Vie for Affections of 'The Bachelor'. Patch Media. San Juan Capistrano Patch. Austin, Paige. January 4, 2016. January 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160107171218/http://patch.com/california/sanjuancapistrano/south-county-woman-vie-affections-bachelor. January 7, 2016. live.
  14. Web site: 'The Bachelor,' Season 20, Episode 8: Real recognizes real. Tampa Bay Times. Mitchell, Robbyn. February 23, 2016. February 23, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160225230210/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/media/the-bachelor-season-20-episode-8-real-recognizes-real/2266439. February 25, 2016. dead.
  15. Web site: San Diego's Becca Tilley Gets Another Chance at Love on 'Bachelor'. Times of San Diego. Jennewein, Chris. January 4, 2016. January 5, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160223165421/http://timesofsandiego.com/arts/2016/01/04/san-diegos-becca-tilley-gets-another-chance-at-love-on-bachelor/. February 23, 2016. live.
  16. Web site: The Bachelor Season 20 Episode 7 Recap: Back Home in Indiana. February 15, 2016. February 16, 2015. Rees, Stephen. National Ave. https://web.archive.org/web/20160219040010/http://nationalave.com/entertainment/stephen-rees/the-bachelor-season-20-episode-7-recap-back-home-in-indiana/5271/. February 19, 2016. live.
  17. News: Ann Arbor woman is looking for love on 'The Bachelor'. Booth Newspapers. Grand Rapids, Michigan. McKee, Jenn. December 9, 2015. December 11, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151211171134/http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2015/12/ann_arbor_woman_is_looking_for.html. December 11, 2015. live.
  18. The Bachelor recap: Ben and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Date. Entertainment Weekly. Highfill, Samantha. February 8, 2016. February 9, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160210152922/http://www.ew.com/recap/the-bachelor-season-20-episode-6. February 10, 2016. live.
  19. Web site: Austin native among this season's 'Bachelor' contestants. Austin-American Statesman. Texas. Dinges. Gary . December 9, 2015. December 11, 2015 . December 22, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151222105609/http://tvradio.blog.austin360.com/2015/12/09/austin-native-among-this-seasons-bachelor-contestants/. live.
  20. Web site: Who Is Jennifer Saviano? 'The Bachelor' Contestant Scored The First Real Kiss Of The Season. Bustle. Pomarico. Nicole. January 12, 2016.
  21. News: 'The Bachelor' Season 20 Episode 5 Recap: The Ladies Caucus For Ben's Heart. Fallon, Claire. Huffington Post. February 2, 2016. February 2, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160202214732/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-bachelor-season-20-episode-5-recap-the-ladies-caucus-for-bens-heart_us_56b0d21ae4b0655877f72b4b. February 2, 2016. live.
  22. Web site: Eliminated 'Bachelor' contestant from Chicago to compete on new season. Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. Swartz. Tracy. December 8, 2015. January 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160104203348/http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-the-bachelor-ben-higgins-amber-james-20151202-story.html. January 4, 2016. live.
  23. Web site: The Bachelor Season 20, Episode 4 Recap: What Happened In Vegas.... Barrett, Annie. January 26, 2016. January 26, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160127085333/http://www.refinery29.com/2016/01/100704/the-bachelor-season-20-episode-4-recap. January 27, 2016. live.
  24. Web site: Little Rock native among women competing on ABC's 'The Bachelor'. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Riddle, Brandon. January 4, 2016. January 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160106231631/http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2016/jan/04/little-rock-native-among-women-vying-rose-abcs-bac/. January 6, 2016. live.
  25. Web site: Watch The Bachelor Season 20 Premiere Live Stream Online! Which Sexy Woman Will Receive Ben's First Impression Rose in 2016 Episode 1?. Hollywood Take. Siegel, Melissa. January 4, 2016. January 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160107141449/http://www.hollywoodtake.com/watch-bachelor-season-20-premiere-live-stream-online-which-sexy-woman-will-receive-bens-126531. January 7, 2016. live.
  26. Web site: The Bachelor Recap: Another Contestant Walks Away in Episode 3. ABC. Donnelly, Jim. January 19, 2016. January 20, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160126020433/http://abc.go.com/shows/the-bachelor/news/spoilers-and-recaps/bachelor-season-20-week-3-recap-eliminations-lace-quits-olivia-toes-011816. January 26, 2016. live.
  27. Web site: Shushanna LinkedIN'. Pentalon Corporation. Salt Lake City, Utah.
  28. News: 'Bachelorette' runner-up Ben Higgins gets his run on 'The Bachelor'. Newsday. Lovece, Frank. Long Island, New York. December 31, 2015. January 1, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160104213006/http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/reality-tv/bachelorette-runner-up-ben-higgins-gets-his-run-on-the-bachelor-1.11280770. January 4, 2016. live.
  29. Web site: 'The Bachelor' Season 20 Portland connections: The wacky dentist, and the frontrunner (video). The Oregonian. Turnquist, Kristi. January 6, 2016. January 10, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160109132645/http://www.oregonlive.com/tv/2016/01/_tthe_bachelor_season_20_portlan.html. January 9, 2016. live.
  30. Web site: The Bachelor Recap: Kevin Hart and Ice Cube Crash Ben Higgins' First Date. ABC. Donnelly, Jim. January 12, 2016. January 13, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160116022846/http://abc.go.com/shows/the-bachelor/news/spoilers-and-recaps/bachelor-season-20-week-2-recap-eliminations-results-kevin-hart-ice-cube-011116. January 16, 2016. live.
  31. What is a Gerontologist Bachelor Contestant Jackie Dion Uses Her Career to Help Others. Bustle. Freeman, Molly. January 4, 2016. January 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160107181457/http://www.bustle.com/articles/133401-what-is-a-gerontologist-bachelor-contestant-jackie-dion-uses-her-career-to-help-others. January 7, 2016. live.
  32. Web site: 'Bachelor' features New Smyrna attorney. . Boedeker. Hal. December 7, 2015. December 13, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151222123144/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/tv/tv-guy/os-bachelor-features-new-smyrna-attorney-20151207-post.html . December 22, 2015. live.
  33. Web site: Oklahoman is contestant on new season of 'The Bachelor'. Tulsa World. Oklahoma. Sherrow. Rita. December 8, 2015. December 11, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151222152452/http://newsok.com/article/5465537. December 22, 2015. live.
  34. Web site: Ben Higgins cuts 7 in 'The Bachelor' premiere. Chicago Tribune. Swartz, Tracy. January 4, 2016. January 5, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160106010031/http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-the-bachelor-recap-season-20-20160104-story.html. January 6, 2016. live.
  35. Web site: The Bachelor 2016 Premiere Recap: Who Did Ben Higgins Send Home?. ABC. Huggins, Sarah. January 5, 2016. January 7, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160107182758/http://abc.go.com/shows/the-bachelor/news/results-and-eliminations/20160105-bachelor-season-20-premiere-recap-elimination. January 7, 2016. live.
  36. News: ABC's "The Bachelor" features Connecticut Gal. WTNH-TV. New Haven, Connecticut. Craig, Anne. January 4, 2016. January 5, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160105065725/http://wtnh.com/2016/01/04/abcs-the-bachelor-features-connecticut-gal/. January 5, 2016. live.
  37. Web site: Former UCF Student and Kappa Delta Sister Stars on The Bachelor. Knight News. Lowe, Derek. January 4, 2016. January 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160108055816/http://knightnews.com/2016/01/former-ucf-student-and-kappa-delta-sister-stars-on-the-bachelor/. January 8, 2016. live.
  38. Web site: 'The Bachelor' Premiere Recap: Ben Fights with Drunk Contestant . Us Weekly. Bonner. Mehera. January 5, 2016.
  39. Web site: [The Bachelor's Texas Ties] Houston math teacher, twins and contestant with fowl obsession have their eyes on The Bachelor]. Houston Culture Map. de Luna. Marcy. December 9, 2015. December 30, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151213065438/http://houston.culturemap.com/news/entertainment/12-09-15-houston-math-teacher-twins-and-contestant-with-fowl-obsession-have-their-eyes-on-ithe-bachelori/. December 13, 2015. live.
  40. Web site: Redmond woman will be a contestant on 'The Bachelor'. Ledger Gazette. Hodapp, David. December 8, 2015. December 27, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160119105449/http://www.ledgergazette.com/redmond-woman-will-be-a-contestant-on-the-bachelor/176933/. January 19, 2016. live.
  41. Web site: Gajewski, Ryan. March 14, 2016. ABC Switches Bachelorettes After Initially Picking Ben Higgins' Castoff Caila Quinn: Details!. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160315183725/http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/abc-switches-bachelorettes-bens-castoff-caila-quinn-dropped-w167020. March 15, 2016. March 15, 2016. Us Weekly.
  42. Web site: Bachelor in Paradise Cast Announcement Includes Fan Favorites Andrew Spencer and Michael Allio. August 26, 2022. August 26, 2022. People.