The Bachelor alum Susie Evans has shared an update on her relationship status with The Bachelorette alum Justin Glaze.
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The pair finally confirmed in January 2023 that they had begun dating, but Justin subsequently confirmed their split in August.
Susie and Justin were then spotted sitting next to each other in the Dancing with the Stars ballroom, cheering on Jenn Tran and Joey Graziadei, in September 2024.
When asked where she and Justin stand now during a December 2024 appearance on "The Ben & Ashley I: Almost Famous Podcast," Susie told former The Bachelorette star Trista Rehn, "That is the question of the century."
"Umm, yeah, we are working on things," Susie continued, "and seeing if it makes sense for us and taking things slow, taking things privately."
The Bachelor 26 alum added, "[We are] just kind of seeing what really makes sense for us."
Regardless of whether their romance works out, Susie suggested that she and Justin will be able to remain friends.
"The cool thing about it is that we have been able to maintain a very positive friendship through [our rough patches]," Susie shared on the podcast.
"I'm grateful that we both [were able to do that]. I think it's because we started as such great friends, and that was the fear the whole time, like, 'If we start a relationship, we might lose the friendship.'"
Susie hinted that what she and Justin have been struggling with is compatibility, which Trista agreed is "huge" in a relationship.
"I think a big thing in life is compatibility," Susie explained. "I think that's where -- we're just at points in our life where we have to figure out if we are compatible."
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In late August, Susie opened up on the "Almost Famous" podcast about how her breakup with Justin was "so painful" and "tough to navigate."
Susie said at the time, "We aren't together, but we love each other so frickin' much, to the point where it's just painful for the both of us."
Susie told Ben Higgins and Ashley Iaconetti how they were "trying to protect each other" as fans gossiped about the demise of their relationship and put "their own twists on it."
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELORETTE' COUPLES NOW: WHOM DID 'THE BACHELORETTE' STARS AND THEIR BACHELOR PICKS ULTIMATELY END UP WITH?! (PHOTOS) Susie admitted the pair had been "caught off-guard by people" approaching them in public, asking them to address their split in-person.
"We've both just been dodging questions... We don't want to say too much because we don't want it to be misinterpreted -- but even that can be misinterpreted!" Susie quipped.
"It's been sad, but I think we're both just trying to navigate it and love each other through it."
Susie shared, however, that she and Justin were "on great terms" and he even stopped by her apartment recently to help her hang a shelf.
"Everything is -- well, I wouldn't say 'everything' is positive -- but there is so much love and there's no animosity, for sure," Susie explained.
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"I think I'm good, for the most part. I just think it's hard, to be honest," Susie said.
"It's just hard. Justin and I both moved to L.A. not knowing many people and leaning on each other a lot as friends, and, yeah, it's just hard... When we came to L.A., we didn't have family or strong friendships, but we had each other."
Susie explained that "not having" her "best friend" in Los Angeles -- and beside her in life, in general -- anymore was "really hard."
Susie became emotional and shared, "Beyond losing a boyfriend, it's losing out on a friend and a huge crutch... We really leaned on each other and had been each other's person here."
"Knowing I can't get that back," she continued in tears, "that's what sucks so bad, I think, for the both of us. We had such a genuine friendship before."
Susie went on to lament, "Eww, I hate that I'm crying... I think it's just such a loss, for the both of us. It's just genuinely so sad."
Susie revealed she and The Bachelorette 17 alum went periods of time "without talking to each other" so they wouldn't slip back into their comfortable, old ways.
"We've had to set boundaries, and it's just really hard," Susie said, adding, "Fortunately, I do have a strong support system here of girls, and back home."
When Ben asked if turning her strong friendship with Justin into a romance was "worth it" in hindsight, Susie replied, "You're going to make me cry again!"
Susie explained, "I think my honest truth on that is, like, absolutely, it's worth it -- absolutely!"
"Justin and I's friendship would have had to have changed regardless," The Bachelor alum elaborated. "We were way too close for that to be normal, if any of us started dating somebody else."
Susie noted how she and Justin were "basically dating but just not kissing" while they were friends, which wouldn't have been a lasting dynamic had either of them entered a serious relationship with someone else.
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"So, yes, it's worth it, because [the friendship] is going to change anyways."
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Susie also pointed out that "if you feel love for somebody and you think there might be more there," two people should "absolutely try for it" and see if it could work out.
"Because what we did have in our relationship was so freaking fun, and it really was the best thing," Susie gushed of her time with Justin.
"I've never had somebody that's been such a best friend that's also become like a partner. It is really special... and we still have so much love there."
Susie therefore added of friends transitioning into lovers, "I do think it can work with the right person and with the right tools and the right headspace and all that stuff."
"So if it's a special person to you, it's totally worth it. And even if it's just for a season of life, like, you might get the most wonderful season of your life," she concluded.
When Justin appeared on "Almost Famous" in August, he hinted that no one was at fault or to blame for the breakup.
"There doesn't have to be a good guy and a bad guy," Justin explained this past summer. "And so, some of the comments kind of lean towards that, but I don't care. I know what's up, and Susie knows what's up -- and that's all that matters. We are good!"
When Ben asked Justin how he was doing in general post-split, Justin admitted, "It's really tough man."
Justin paused and sighed, and it was clear he was choking up emotionally in that moment.
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"When you're ready to answer that question, I can't wait to have you back here," Ben noted.
"I appreciate you," Justin quietly responded.
Before Justin publicly confirmed their split, Susie had admitted to People that her romance with Justin was "so complicated."
And Justin had told Us Weekly on August 19 that he and Susie were taking things "day by day."
"We're taking some time to figure out what's going to be best for us," Justin shared at the time.
Rumors Susie and Justin had split began to swirl in July 2024 because the lovebirds were noticeably posting less couple's content on social media.
The Instagram account, @Deux Moi, also posted a photo that allegedly showed Justin walking with another girl in Chicago in July.
Susie and Justin had met in late 2022, and they both moved to Los Angeles about six months later.
In November 2023, Susie joked during an Instagram Q&A session how she was "trying" to move out of the friend zone with Justin after a summer romance she had fizzled out.
Susie and Justin were quietly dating at the time but denied their involvement -- and that they had ever lived together or hooked up -- during a December 2023 interview on the "Bachelor Happy Hour" podcast.
Justin explained to E! News of their dishonesty in early 2024, "We've always wanted to just kind of protect our privacy, which sounds funny to say because we went on the show where our romantic connections are far from private."
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The reality TV stars became friends after Susie won Clayton Echard's heart on The Bachelor's 26th season but they split in September 2022. Justin, for his part, competed for Katie Thurston on The Bachelorette's seventeenth season.
Justin also appeared on Bachelor in Paradise's eighth season in 2022.
While Justin had sparked a connection with Eliza Isichei, it didn't work out because she ultimately gave her rose to Rodney Mathews. When Eliza determined she had made a mistake and wanted Justin back, it was too late and he wasn't interested in reconciling.
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' FRANCHISE COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER?? (PHOTOS)
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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski