Andi Dorfman and Josh Murray's decision to end their engagement has shocked some former The Bachelorette suitors and validated others' lack of faith in them.
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The Bachelor star Chris Soules -- whom Dorfman eliminated right after hometown dates during The Bachelorette's tenth season -- was shocked to hear about Dorfman and Murray's failed relationship, according to close friends.
"Chris did actually think they were gonna last," the 33-year-old Iowa native and farmer's friends told E! News.
A source added that Soules believes "Josh is a great guy."
And how do some other bachelors who competed for Dorfman's heart feel about her split from the former pro baseball player? Patrick Jagodzinski, whom Dorfman eliminated during the fifth episode of The Bachelorette -- which numbered down her field to eight men -- is apparently also very surprised.
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"I thought they were meant to be since day one on the show," Jagodzinski told the website of Dorfman and Murray. "Almost to the point where I didn't think anyone else had a chance with her. I'm sad to hear this because they both looked so happy post-show. I wish them the best and I'm sure they will both bounce back."
Andrew Poole, who was also ousted during the fifth episode, basically said he saw the split coming.
"I'm not all that shocked," Poole told E! News. "It makes one wonder what her intentions were from the get-go. Two broken hearts now left in the wake of her path to stardom. Were [runner-up Nick Viall] and Josh pawns all along?"
Nick Sutter, who was eliminated in the second episode, formed an opinion along the same lines.
"From the start, Andi and Josh were the 'perfect fairy tale couple.' I felt that Andi wasn't there for true love. If it happened, then it would have been a bonus for her, but her main goal was to make the crowd proud. There was love there no doubt about it, but Andi saw more public potential with Josh than with Nick," Sutter explained.
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"Josh was Prince Charming and could do no wrong, and that's what America wanted. Andi knew that. If her main goal was to find a husband, lover, life partner, best friend, and soul mate, I believe she would have made different choices. But when the cameras are rolling and millions of fans are watching, it became so much more then finding love for Andi. It's pretty unfortunate to be honest. I love them both and wish them nothing but happiness in the future."
Dorfman, 27, and Murray, 30, got engaged in May although the proposal didn't air on The Bachelorette's tenth season until late July. At the time, they had been planning a Spring 2015 wedding.
The couple announced their split January 8 after putting up a united front just a few days prior at The Bachelor's nineteenth-season live premiere event. Dorfman affectionately stroked Murray's back throughout their interview with host Chris Harrison and appeared very happy.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski