Bachelor in Paradise couple Serene Russell and Brandon Jones have announced they've broken up and ended their engagement.
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Less than six months after their engagement aired on Bachelor in Paradise's eighth season last year, Brandon and Serene announced in a joint statement via Instagram on Monday, May 8 that they've called it quits on their relationship.
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"After many months, today we have ultimately decided to end our engagement," the pair captioned a slideshow of sweet photos and videos of their time together.
"We have tried to work privately on our relationship which has been incredibly challenging in the public eye. This has been immensely hard to accept and painful, as there is a lot of love between the two of us."
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Brandon and Serene concluded, "We are deeply hurting and can only ask that there be no hate. The best path for us at this time is to try and move forward and heal from this as individuals."
Serene and Brandon's split appears to have happened very recently.
Serene's last Instagram post featuring Brandon was on April 17 when they attended the Coachella Music Festival together, and Brandon's most recent post mentioning Serene was when he uploaded funny pictures of himself on April 1 wearing his then-fiancee's sunglasses.
Supportive messages and encouraging comments poured in from members of Bachelor Nation on the former couple's breakup post.
"Y'all both are incredible people and I hope you are able to find peace and clarity during this time. Here for you both," The Bachelor 26 star Clayton Echard wrote.
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Serene had competed on Clayton's The Bachelor season in early 2022 and finished in fourth place before meeting Brandon on Bachelor in Paradise, which filmed last summer.
Clayton's ex and The Bachelor winner, Susie Evans, wrote, "Sending you both so much love always."
The Bachelorette 17 star Katie Thurston commented, "Healing publicly is difficult. Sending you both love and strength during this time."
Bachelor in Paradise alum Michael Allio wrote, "Two great people. Sending love your way," and Johnny DePhillipo added, "Both are amazing people."
Bachelor in Paradise alum Jill Chin commented, "Love you both so much. Wishing you guys all the healing in the world."
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Fellow Paradise alum Victoria Fuller wrote, "So much love for the both of you," and Genevieve Parisi expressed, "Love you both so much."
Sierra Jackson also commented how she's "praying" for the pair's healing, adding, "You both are amazing souls with pure hearts."
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Brandon and Serene have been plagued by split rumors for months, and they've publicly shot them down multiple times.
In early April, Serene explained why it seemed like she and Brandon were keeping their relationship pretty private on social media when fans had noticed a lack of "couple's content" on their Instagram accounts.
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The model, social-media influencer and former Oklahoma teacher explained in a Q&A session, "We're not really the people that are like, 'Ok what TikTok should we do' -- we're really enjoying living in the moment right now and trying to experience things as a normal couple."
Serene also posted a cute photo of the pair laughing and snuggling on the couch, and she wrote, "It can be hard finding a healthy balance when your relationship came from reality TV."
Serene also said she and Brandon were enjoying life together in San Diego, CA, especially the beautiful ocean views.
In early February, Serene and Brandon slammed an Instagram account for starting a rumor that they split just because they hadn't posted a photo of each other since December 2022.
"I set them straight. You can't believe everything you read online because how would they know," Serene wrote on Instagram Stories.
And Brandon reposted Serene's Instagram Story and vented, "These accounts be saying anything. Clout is a helluva drug."
Several days later, Brandon uploaded a slideshow of photos with Serene on Instagram and captioned the early-February photo dump, "Just because I miss ya."
Serene and Brandon put breakup speculation to rest for the first time in early December, when fans noticed Serene wasn't wearing her engagement ring in some of her modeling photos.
To combat the gossip, Serene posted a mirror selfie with Brandon on Instagram Stories, proudly showing off her Neil Lane bling on her left ring finger.
Along with the photo, Serene wrote, "Y'all when I model, sometimes there's gonna be a shoot without my ring on, especially if it took place before the finale so before I could wear it out."
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Earlier this year, Brandon conducted a Q&A with his Instagram followers and confirmed he and Serene had picked a wedding date for their 2024 wedding.
Brandon shared how "communication and patience" are required to make a relationship work after appearing on The Bachelor franchise, and he added how "the little things" matter most.
But Brandon noted he'd definitely recommend trying a show in The Bachelor franchise.
"I absolutely would. It was some of the best moments in my life," Brandon said.
And late last year, Serene said he and Serene would be open to tying the knot where they first met in Mexico.
"I think we would get married in Paradise if our families were there!" Serene said.
"It is such a special place to us and having our families there in the place where we got engaged and thought about getting married would be so special. We are definitely thinking about it!"
On Bachelor in Paradise's finale, Serene told Brandon that they had a life-changing love, something more than she ever could have expected or dreamed about. She said she felt seen and understood more than ever before.
"I found my best friend, my missing puzzle piece and my soul mate," Serene shared with Brandon on the final day of filming. "I love you so much and I'm never going to take that for granted."
In reply, Brandon shared how "The Split" twist made him realize that he never wanted to spend another day of his life without her. Brandon gushed about how he loved her in every sense of the word and she's an "everlasting spark" that hit him so hard.
"I will love you until the end of time. I will love you until my last breath, and I want to start forever with you," Brandon said. "And that starts with making you my forever."
After Brandon got down on one knee and Serene said "yes," Bachelor in Paradise host Jesse Palmer joined the pair on the beach and revealed how he'd been ordained and could marry them right on the spot if they wanted to be spontaneous and seal the deal.
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However, the couple chose not to get married since they both want their loved ones to attend the wedding.
Brandon confirmed on the reunion in November that it was love at first sight with Serene and she's the "most perfect" woman for him. And Serene said she was so grateful for Brandon, who yelled, "I love the sh-t out of you!"
Prior to meeting on Bachelor in Paradise, Brandon finished as the runner-up on Michelle Young's The Bachelorette season.
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