Katie Thurston Reveals Jaw-Dropping Reaction from Ex Blake Moynes on 'Bachelor in Paradise'

Katie Thurston is reflecting on the unexpected encounter she had with her ex-boyfriend Blake Moynes at the Bachelor in Paradise beach.

Despite anticipating a warm welcome from her fellow contestants as she made her entrance in paradise during season 9 of the reality show, the 32-year-old former Bachelorette was met with a different reception.

During the "Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous" podcast on Monday, October 9, she shared her expectations: "I was informed that when I arrived to see everyone, they would be thrilled and stand up to hug me. So, I went in with the mindset of being warmly welcomed."

She went on to describe the actual experience: "As I walked down, my eyes immediately searched for Blake, but he appeared as if he had seen a ghost. There was an uncomfortable silence, nobody said anything, and no one moved from their seats. It made me feel incredibly uncomfortable."

Katie exclusively revealed her anticipation for her reunion with 33-year-old Blake and her upcoming appearance on the show earlier this month.

"I was extremely nervous, mainly because I was looking forward to seeing Blake," she admitted. "To discover where we stand now, you'll have to tune in and find out. However, I recently realized that I accidentally kept sharing my Uber rides with him. For the past two years, he's been receiving notifications, so at least we're on speaking terms," she revealed. "Once I discovered this, I promptly turned off the sharing feature."

Katie and Blake ended their relationship in October 2021, despite Katie selecting him as the winner on the season 17 finale of the Bachelorette, which had aired three months prior.

"Due to the difficulties of living in different countries during the pandemic, we faced significant challenges," Katie shared with Us. "Finding someone who is committed to putting in the effort is crucial. Long-distance relationships can be tough, especially for someone like myself who desires a close, physical connection."

During an Instagram Q&A with her followers in August, she revealed that the reunion on Bachelor in Paradise marked the first time she had seen or spoken to Blake since they ended their relationship 1.5 years ago. Alongside a black and white photo of Blake holding a cat, she wrote, "Can't say much more for now."

In a teaser for season 9 of the show, it was revealed that Katie would be making her way to Paradise, which didn't seem to please Blake based on his unhappy reaction when she arrived.

One month after their break-up, Us magazine confirmed Katie's relationship with John Hershey, who had been eliminated during week two of her season. However, the couple called it quits less than a year later.

When asked about her failed romance, Katie shared with Us her biggest lesson: "Avoid rushing into relationships prematurely."

"When you are under the constant scrutiny of the public eye, it becomes important to keep certain aspects of your life more guarded and private, possibly for a longer duration. Although it can be enjoyable to share happy moments with the public, dealing with a break-up in the public eye is undoubtedly challenging," she expressed.

Blake, on his part, was reportedly taken aback by Katie's relationship with John, and even accused her of engaging in emotional infidelity.

"I don't believe there was any physical infidelity involved, but the emotional betrayal was evident in the rapid transition. To some extent, I feel foolish and foolish for letting it happen," he expressed in a November 2021 episode of the "Talking It Out With Bachelor Nation" podcast.

Catch Bachelor in Paradise on ABC every Thursday at 9 p.m. ET, following the Golden Bachelor.

In this article

Blake Moynes

Katie Thurston

Bachelor in Paradise

The Bachelorette