John Hersey and Katie Thurston
Christopher Polk / E! Entertainment / NBCUniversal / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images John Hersey and Katie Thurston
Katie Thurston and John Hersey have left.
The couple announced on Monday that they had separated. The separation comes 15 months after the couple met in The Bachelorette, although their romance blossomed off-camera when she finished filming the series.
Everyone talked about their breakup in their respective Instagram stories. “Statement: No, we’re not together,” Thurston, 31, simply wrote in his post.
Hersey, 28, was more detailed. “As Katie said earlier, we’re not going out anymore,” she began. “The decision was not taken lightly and it was obviously not easy to make.”
“I love being able to share special moments with all of you: the funny ones. The happy ones. The outraged, embarrassed and sincere ones. But I don’t know if it will ever be easier to share the sad ones,” he said. he also said. “I thank all of you who have supported us throughout this journey. We could not (nor would we) be here without you.”
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After appearing as a contestant on Matt James’ high school season in 2021, Thurston was named as the bachelor of season 17. their separation in October of that same year.
A month later, PEOPLE confirmed that Thurston and Hersey were dating. The training rider had been eliminated during the second week of the Thurston season.
“Katie and John are known to have become close friends after the season,” her rep said in November 2021. “John has been there for her through all the big changes in his life and they are excited to explore. this newly found romantic connection “.
The two shared much of their relationship on social media with PDA-filled posts, including one in January when Thurston revealed she is the “happiest version” of herself with Hersey.
The story goes on
“Falling in love with you was the best decision I ever had, and I couldn’t be happier,” Hersey said that month. “I could never have imagined what this year would bring me. I am admired and grateful for the circumstances that brought us together. And thank God you left me on national television, or else we could never have arrived. where are we now “.
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John Hersey and Katie Thurston
Paul Archuleta / Getty
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In March, Thurston celebrated the first anniversary of when she and Hersey met.
“A year ago I would never have thought I would be here right now with you 🖤,” she wrote in a heartfelt post, subtitling a photo of the couple sharing a loving look.
“I’m sorry for all the bachelorette parties we’ve been upset about,” he teased in a comment on Thurston’s page, acknowledging that the couple’s love affair could have been unexpected for fans. “We owe you a”.