Caelynn Miller-Keyes is now speaking her "truth" after Blake Horstmann released a handful of their personal text messages, insisting that one night of texting about sex at a musical festival doesn't accurately depict how serious their relationship had allegedly been up to that point.
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Caelynn, 24, took to Instagram on Wednesday night to share her side of the story, which was a full day after Blake exposed her on social media by posting a handful of screenshots of their previous text messages.
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Not only did Caelynn allegedly text Blake, "If I come over it's strictly for sex. Nothing more nothing less," while they attended the 2019 Stagecoach music festival in California in April, but Blake also denied ever having an exclusive relationship with Caelynn, ghosting her, calling their romance "a mistake," and silencing her so no one would find out.
In response, Caelynn wrote on Instagram, "Here we go... I am not here to deny those text messages or the conversations that took place. Things got taken out of context on the show, and a large part of the story is missing."
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"The reality of the situation is that Blake was not a one night stand at a music festival and the 5 am text exchange that Blake chose to share is not an accurate representation of our past relationship."
Blake apologized on Instagram, admitting he had made a lot of mistakes with women and felt ashamed and regret, but he said he had "no choice" but to release the private texts with Caelynn because she had attacked his character and his name on Bachelor in Paradise's sixth season.
"I take ownership for what I said on the beach. I was upset and I let my emotions control my words," wrote Caelynn, who had called Blake "scum" and alleged he had forced her to lie about their relationship and treated her like "a dirty little secret."
"However, I did not go on a show to ruin someone's character. I attempted to address my feelings and the situation with Blake face to face. It's unfortunate that I didn't get the same respect in return, and I am absolutely mortified our private texts were put out there for the world to see and judge by someone who I trusted and consider a friend nonetheless."
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As shown on Bachelor in Paradise, Blake was condemned for having sex with Kristina Schulman the night before he flirted with Tayshia Adams and then slept with Caelynn at Stagecoach. Caelynn claimed she had an exclusive relationship with Blake for a few months and he really hurt her.
"He ghosted me, just, like, fully stopped communication... And then we saw each other at a music festival and he ended up sweet talking me, and so we spent the night together," Caelynn told bartender Wells Adams on Bachelor in Paradise.
"We wake up, I'm in his bed, and he's DMing Hannah G... I'm still in his bed and he's talking about how hot Tayshia is... He calls me two weeks ago and was like, 'No one can know about us. We've got to lie. We've got to lie our asses off in Paradise'... He wants to protect his image."
But in the text messages Blake released, Caelynn allegedly told Blake she wanted "sex, only sex" from him at the music festival -- while he was pleading with her just to cuddle instead.
"It's clear to me that Blake and I had different ideas of what our 'relationship' was. We started talking months before Stagecoach. We FaceTimed everyday and talked about potentially skipping paradise to be together. When I say he ghosted me, it was after those few months of us talking," Caelynn wrote in her Instagram post.
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"It was my understanding there was no one else and I thought we were on the same page. What infuriates me the most is that I'm being trolled for having sex because of what I've been through."
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Caelynn was referencing how she was sexually assaulted while in college, which she previously revealed while appearing on The Bachelor earlier this year.
"I want to be very clear that I am not looking for sympathy. I took the necessary steps to move on and heal, but I will not be abstinent for the rest of my life because of it," Caelynn explained.
"This is a complicated situation considering it's not only on TV, but has taken a life of its own on the internet. This could've been over after last night's episode, but since it's now all over Instagram, I felt like it was imperative to share my truth."
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The beauty pageant queen concluded, "We all have our own perception of how different situations unfold and there are many sides to this story. I hope that we can all move forward and support one another, rather than tear each other down. I have moved on and I am excited to continue to share the rest of my journey with you all."
Caelynn received some support from fellow members of Bachelor Nation, including Ashley Iaconetti, Becca Tilley, and Ali Fedotowsky.
"Sending you love and strength. No one deserves to go through what both of you are going through online right now," Ali wrote in the comments section of Caelynn's post.
According to Us Weekly, Caelynn made an appearance at Variety's Power of Young Hollywood event in Los Angeles on Tuesday, shortly after Blake released the text messages about their hookup.
The former Miss Carolina USA reportedly spent the evening with Michelle Randolph, an actress and model who's the younger sister of The Bachelor's Season 23 winner Cassie Randolph, but an eyewitness said the pair suddenly left the party early.
"Caelynn and Michelle walked up to the line to pose for photos on the red carpet but changed their minds and instead went into the women's restroom," the eyewitness told Us, suggesting Caelynn booked it after learning about Blake's betrayal.
"When Caelynn and Michelle reappeared, they walked straight for the exit and left the party shortly after arriving. Caelynn did not appear upset, but she seemed to be in a rush to leave."
Blake also released screenshots of alleged text messages with Caelynn that were exchanged one week before Bachelor in Paradise began filming.
Caelynn allegedly expressed anxiety and fear to Blake when determining whether they should own up to their hookup once news of it had leaked, and Blake appeared supportive of whatever she chose to do.
Blake also apparently insisted he wanted to talk things through multiple times, seemingly disproving Caelynn's claims he had ghosted her and attempted to silence her.
"I think it may be better to be honest but I honestly don't know," Caelynn allegedly texted Blake.
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"Well I just don't think you will feel any more comfortable and sure if we have another day to think. I guess let's just be honest. We f-cked up so bad," Blake wrote.
"If we play it off as not being a big deal then it's not. Everyone hooks up in this world," Caelynn appeared to reply.
"It's gonna be. Ya but not everyone is you and me. I'll call ya in a bit we can talk more," Blake responded.
"Ok," Caelynn replied.
Blake later texted Caelynn just to "check in" on her, and Caelynn said everything was "good" and she was doing "better."
After Blake shared his "truth" on Instagram Tuesday night, comments flooded in from people supporting him all across Bachelor Nation.
Kristina, Adam Gottschalk, Jason Tartick, Kevin Wendt, Kaitlyn Bristowe, Ben Zorn, Astrid Loch, Chase McNary and more all had kind words to say to Blake.
Kevin even claimed Blake had been struggling with the idea of whether to release his text messages with Caelynn for days before actually going through with it.
"I know I told you last week posting these might not be the best idea. but as a friend I just want YOU to be happy and I know your anxiety was about to erupt. So I get it. and I'll support you regardless. because I know you're a good friend and a good hearted human. Chin up amigo," Kevin wrote in the comments section of Blake's post.
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