Brayden Bowers has released a statement about his controversial time on Charity Lawson's The Bachelorette season, admitting he had "crumbled under the pressure" of the dating process.
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Brayden -- who received a lot of backlash from Charity's other bachelors -- left the show with his emotions heightened, but then he briefly returned to apologize to Charity. However, his return, which stole some of Charity's time, angered the guys and resulted in explosive drama.
Brayden took to Instagram on Tuesday, July 18 to address his behavior on The Bachelorette, which many fellow cast members and viewers had deemed rude, selfish and disrespectful.
"Such an incredible time! I am so grateful for this experience and after watching it back, am excited to get back to work on myself as a person," Brayden captioned a handful of photos from his short-lived journey on The Bachelorette's twentieth season.
"I saw things that I both loved and didn't love about myself, but am proud to say that I at least recognized the person I saw on the screen."
Brayden called the experience "extremely challenging" and pointed out how the process had really "pushed" him.
"But in an interesting way, [it] helped me overcome a lot of things that were buried, that I had thought I had overcome through years of counseling," Brayden shared, before addressing The Bachelorette star directly.
"To Charity: You are such an amazing woman and I am so grateful that I met you! I want to tell you thank you for getting me excited about the idea of love again! Being around you reminded me of all the giddiness that comes when you're falling for someone."
Brayden admitted he "had doubts" about whether he'd "ever be excited about someone" again since his ex-girlfriend had cheated on him and broken his heart.
"I worried for the longest time that my heart no longer worked (as cheesy as that sounds), but to be honest you helped show me that it does," Brayden noted.
"Although I couldn't overcome everything that the show entailed and crumbled under the pressure, I will forever be grateful to you for reigniting that excitement."
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The Bachelorette bachelor went on to address the show's production team and staff.
"To the people that make this show what it is: Thank you guys for being so welcoming to me in this process. You guys all have amazing hearts and I'm grateful for the connections that I've made with each and everyone of you!" Brayden wrote.
"I know that I can be much so thank you guys for putting up with me."
And finally, Brayden gave a shout out to Bachelor Nation, saying he appreciated "all the love and support" he had received from "most" people while competing for Charity's heart.
"I know I'm not everyone's cup of tea, but it means a lot that many of you have come to my defense! Much love y'all!" Brayden continued.
Brayden then noticeably wrote a very short message "to the guys," writing, "I'm sure I'll be seeing y'all."
The Bachelorette bachelorette concluded, "Although my journey ends here, I can't wait to stay tuned and watch the rest of Charity's journey! I've said it before, but she is truly an amazing woman and deserves a man that will treat her as such. There are still a couple really incredible men left and I can't wait to see who she ends up with."
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Brayden had received Charity's First Impression Rose because she said she felt connected to him and he was the best kisser of Night 1.
Not long after the first Rose Ceremony, Brayden also received a special one-on-one date, and Charity attempted to give Brayden assurance and validation since he was obviously struggling with the process and watching his love interest date other men simultaneously.
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Brayden, however, painted a target on his back by being outspoken in the house about his doubts and concerns. He told the other guys that he had packed up his bags and was ready to leave on more than one occasion, and he also voiced how he probably wouldn't be ready to propose marriage after just a few dates with Charity.
The other guys thought Brayden was annoying, and they accused him of being on the show for the wrong reasons.
But Charity kept giving Brayden second chances and wanted to see their connection through. The Bachelorette star even called him "one of The Ones," suggesting he would've made it to the end.
But after a group date in Washington and brewing tension with his competitors, Brayden determined that it was time for him to go -- and Charity didn't try to stop him.
Before the fourth Rose Ceremony of the season, which aired during Monday night's episode, Brayden stormed into the cocktail party to speak to Charity without saying anything to the men who had been hoping for time with Charity.
Brayden pulled Charity away from John Buresh -- which infuriated all of the men -- but only to apologize to The Bachelorette star and let her know that she had done nothing wrong.
Charity's bachelors -- namely Aaron Bryant -- essentially chased Brayden out of the party and yelled about how he was "not a man."
"Yeah, you've got a big d-ck, man. We're good. You're showing it," Brayden countered with sarcasm.
Curse words were thrown around and Brayden called the men "jackasses," and then he took off.
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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
