The Bachelor (Season 20)

The **20th season** of *The Bachelor* premiered on January 4, 2016. The season featured 26-year-old Ben Higgins, a software salesman from Warsaw, Indiana.

The season re-aired in a shortened version on June 22, 2020, as a part of *The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons - Ever!*.

Higgins placed third on the 11th season of *The Bachelorette* featuring Kaitlyn Bristowe.

He ultimately chose to propose to Lauren Bushnell.

## Filming and development

### Casting and contestants

Casting began during the 19th season of the *The Bachelor*. On August 24, 2015, during the 1st season, episode four of *Bachelor in Paradise: After Paradise*, Ben Higgins was announced as the next Bachelor.

The cast includes season 19 runner-up Becca Tilley and fellow contestant Amber James, news anchor Olivia Caridi from WCYB-TV and Joelle "JoJo" Fletcher, who is a half-sister of *Ready for Love* star Ben Patton.

### Production

The season traveled to many places including Las Vegas, Nevada, Mexico City, Mexico, Pig Island in The Bahamas and the state of Indiana. With appearances from rapper Ice Cube, comedian Kevin Hart, soccer players Alex Morgan, Kelley O'Hara, comedian Terry Fator and Indiana Pacers basketball player Paul George.

## Contestants

The season began with 28 contestants, including a set of twins.

Lauren Bushnell
25
West Linn, Oregon
Flight Attendant
WinnerJoelle "JoJo" Fletcher
24
Dallas, Texas
Real Estate Developer
Runner-upCaila Quinn
24
Hudson, Ohio
Software Sales Representative
Eliminated in week 9Amanda Stanton
25
Laguna Beach, California
Esthetician
Eliminated in week 8Becca Tilley
26
Shreveport, Louisiana
Chiropractic Assistant
Eliminated in week 7Emily Ferguson
23
Las Vegas, Nevada
Waitress/Twin
Eliminated in week 7Lauren Himle
25
Dexter, Michigan
Kindergarten Teacher
Eliminated in week 6Olivia Caridi
23
Austin, Texas
Former News Anchor
Eliminated in week 6Leah Block
25
Aurora, Colorado
Event Planner
Eliminated in week 6Jennifer Saviano
25
Davie, Florida
Small Business Owner
Eliminated in week 5Jubilee Sharpe
24
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
War Veteran
Eliminated in week 5Amber James
30
Kankakee, Illinois
Bartender
Eliminated in week 4Rachel Tchen
23
Little Rock, Arkansas
Unemployed
Eliminated in week 4Haley Ferguson
23
Las Vegas, Nevada
Waitress/Twin
Eliminated in week 4Jami Letain
23
St. Albert, Alberta
Bartender
Eliminated in week 3Shushanna Mkrtychyan
27
Salt Lake City, Utah
Property manager
Eliminated in week 3Lace Morris
25
Denver, Colorado
Real Estate Agent
Quit in week 3Amanda "Mandi" Kremer
28
Portland, Oregon
Dentist
Eliminated in week 2Jacqueline "Jackie" Dion
23
Newport Beach, California
Gerontologist
Eliminated in week 2Samantha Passmore
26
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Attorney
Eliminated in week 2Lauren "LB" Barr
23
Stillwater, Oklahoma
Fashion Buyer
Quit in week 2Breanne Rice
30
Seattle, Washington
Nutritional Therapist
Eliminated in week 1Izzy Goodkind
24
Branford, Connecticut
Graphic Designer
Eliminated in week 1Jessica Moser
23
Boca Raton, Florida
Accountant
Eliminated in week 1Laura Esselman
24
Louisville, Kentucky
Account Executive
Eliminated in week 1Lauren Russell
26
Houston, Texas
Math Teacher
Eliminated in week 1Maegan Miller
30
Visalia, California
Cowgirl
Eliminated in week 1Tiara Soleim
27
Redmond, Washington
Chicken Enthusiast
Eliminated in week 1
### Future appearances

Caila Quinn was originally chosen to be the bachelorette for the 12th season of *The Bachelorette*, but the producers dropped her just days before the official announcement in favor of Joelle "JoJo" Fletcher instead.

Caila Quinn, Lauren Himle, Tiara Soleim, Jami Letain, Shushanna Mkrtychyan, Jennifer Saviano, Isabel "Izzy" Goodkind, Lace Morris, Jubilee Sharpe, Leah Block, Haley Ferguson, Emily Ferguson and Amanda Stanton were all chosen to compete in the 3rd season of *Bachelor in Paradise*.

Amanda Stanton returned for the 4th season of *Bachelor in Paradise*.

Jennifer Saviano and Haley Ferguson returned for the 6th season of *Bachelor in Paradise*.

## Episodes

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 Immediately following the dramatic season finale, emotions run high as Ben sits down with Chris Harrison - live - to discuss the final two women of the season: JoJo, the beautiful real estate developer, and Lauren B., the stunning flight attendant. The Bachelor takes us back to Jamaica, where he spent the emotional last days of his journey, telling both women that he loved them - a Bachelor first. Both ladies are back to sit with Ben and talk about the sensational outcome. It's the live, unpredictable ending to this adventure to find everlasting true love. Does Chris Harrison have a trick up his sleeve? Anything could happen! In addition, the new Bachelorette will be revealed.

## Where are they now?

Ben and Lauren remained engaged and have moved in together in Denver. In October 2016, they starred in their own spin-off *Ben and Lauren: Happily Ever After?*. The couple ended their relationship in May 2017.

Lauren Bushnell began dating country singer Chris Lane in late 2018. They live together in Nashville, Tennessee. They got engaged on June 16, 2019. They were married in Nashville on October 25, 2019.

JoJo is now engaged to Jordan Rodgers whom she met on *The Bachelorette*.

Amanda Stanton got engaged to Josh Murray from the 10th season of *The Bachelorette*. They met on the 3rd season of *Bachelor in Paradise*. They have since ended their relationship.

Becca Tilley briefly dated Robert Graham from the 9th season of *The Bachelorette*.

Emily Ferguson is currently dating Swedish hockey player William Karlsson.

Lace Morris got engaged to Grant Kemp whom she met on the 3rd season of *Bachelor in Paradise*. They have since ended their relationship.

Haley Ferguson is currently dating Finnish hockey player Oula Palve.

## The Ring

A $100,000 diamond ring from Neil Lane, featuring a 4.25-carat central radiant cut diamond and surrounded by over 240 round and baguette cut diamonds.