The Bachelor franchise alum Ashley Iaconetti and Jared Haibon may say they're just close friends, but Haibon placed the winning bid on Ashley for a date at her Valentine's Day charity auction.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ashley hosted a viewing party for the show's The Bachelor At 20: A Celebration of Love special and a "Biggest Group Date Ever" fundraiser at The Ainsworth in New York City on Sunday, and many men from The Bachelorette received high bids for special one-on-one Valentine's Day dates with attendees.
The participants at the sold-out event were Ashley, Haibon, JJ Lane, Josh Murray, Nick Viall, Michael Garofola, Ben Zorn, Joshua Albers and Ashley's sister Lauren Iaconetti. After a photo opportunity with the reality TV stars during a cocktail hour, women were willing to pay hundreds -- if not thousands -- of dollars to date the gentlemen.
Viall racked in $5,600; Garofola earned $5,300; someone bid on Zorn for $1,200; Haibon managed to raise $1,150; Murray went for $750, and both Albers and Lane tied at $700 a piece. In addition, Haibon adorably bid $750 on Ashley, winning a date with her.
Ashley memorably had a massive crush on Haibon that he didn't really reciprocate on the second season of Bachelor in Paradise.
ADVERTISEMENT
Fans remember Ashley shedding many tears over Haibon, who was always looking for love elsewhere. Ashley was also shown saying she wanted to hook up with Haibon at Jade Roper and Tanner Tolbert's wedding during The Bachelor At 20 special yet he disappointed her again with his lack of interest.
"Ashley is one of the sweetest people I've ever met, so her throwing a charity event is really not that surprising," Haibon told People. "Ashley and I are so close [and are] very, very similar."
"Even in Paradise, we had such a good friendship," Haibon continued. "That was the most difficult part, was hurting somebody that I really care for. I knew we were going to be friends outside of Paradise, and we have become such close friends. I am very grateful for Ashley I. being in my life."
According to People, over $16,000 was raised from the auction, and all the proceeds went to The Pennsylvania State Dance MaraTHON and the fight against pediatric cancer.
Before Bachelor in Paradise, Ashley competed on Chris Soules' edition of The Bachelor and Haibon vied for Kaitlyn Bristowe's heart on The Bachelorette's eleventh season.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ashley said she has "zero plans" to appear on Bachelor in Paradise again although she generally enjoyed her experience, but maybe Haibon will be up for it a second time!
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski