The Bachelorette: Why Melissa Rycroft Called Clare's Season 'Hard To Watch'

Former Bachelor contestant Melissa Rycroft is no stranger to the ups and downs of competing for love on a reality TV show. In 2009, she was left heartbroken after her Bachelor fiancé, Jason Mesnick, left her for runner-up Molly Malaney. Still, it seems all's fair in love and war! The couple wed in 2010 and welcomed daughter Riley Anne in March 2013, per US Weekly. As for Melissa, she found her own happily ever after with insurance agent Tye Strickland. 

Considering her time on the show, it's no surprise Melissa keeps up with all things Bachelor Nation. In November 2020, the Dancing with the Stars alum didn't hold back when speaking to Us Weekly about Bachelorette Clare Crawley's time on Season 16 of the hit ABC show. Discussing Clare's whirlwind relationship with former NFL player Dale Moss (which culminated in a dramatic engagement), Melissa told the outlet that Clare's journey was "hard to watch," adding that "the pessimist in [her] is saying it's probably not going to work out. She continued, "I mean, for Clare's sake, we all want it to work out because heaven forbid it doesn't, seriously." 

Keep reading after the jump to find out why Melissa had such strong reactions to Season 16 of The Bachelorette.

Melissa Rycroft found Clare Crawley's season of The Bachelorette "hard to watch," as she felt Clare "neglected" her other suitors in favor of early frontrunner Dale Moss. From the beginning, Clare was smitten, admitting from her very first meeting with Dale that she felt she'd met her husband. Is it any wonder that the lovestruck lead didn't seem to be into any of the other contestants? And Melissa wasn't alone in her viewing discomfort. Other fans took to Twitter to express their displeasure with how Clare was treating the men on her season.

That being said, Melissa told Us Weekly she has high hopes for the remainder of the unprecedented season. After Clare left, producers brought in Tayshia Adams to finish out Season 16. "I think she's a great pick. I love that she's older, I love that she's outspoken," Melissa shared. "I think it's going to be a different feel of The Bachelorette." Since arriving on the show after Clare's early exit, Tayshia has definitely made a splash with her suitors — and not just because she emerged from a pool, either! Her journey to find love hasn't been all smooth sailing, though. 

According to notorious Bachelor spoilers blogger Reality Steve, Tayshia's finale (which is set to air on Dec. 22, 2020) is "messy" and "full of drama," so do with that what you will!