Shocking Betrayal: Bachelor in Paradise's Serene Russell Reveals Ex Brandon Jones' Infidelity Before Heartbreaking Split

Serene Russell and Brandon Jones. Getty Images (2)

Serene Russell, a former contestant on Bachelor in Paradise, recently spoke out about her recent breakup with Brandon Jones, her ex-fiancé. She confirmed the rumors of Brandon's infidelity, revealing that she discovered his alleged cheating through an Instagram direct message. Initially, a stranger tried to reach out to Serene, but when she didn't respond, they contacted another member of Bachelor Nation, who ultimately relayed the message to Serene.

“Following that, it felt as if there was irreversible harm,” Serene recollected on the October 19 episode of Kaitlyn Bristowe’s “Off the Vine” podcast. “There was simply no chance of reconciliation.”

Speculation arose among fans that Brandon, 29, had been unfaithful to Serene earlier this year, sparked by a circulating video that appeared to depict him getting close with another woman. Supposedly, the video was recorded shortly before Serene and Brandon made their separation public.

Serene commented that although Brandon apologized to her, they are currently not in contact. She further stated, "Both of us could have made improvements in the relationship. We were deeply involved and even sought therapy, which was an enriching experience. It's not a simplistic matter of it not working out. We genuinely tried to equip ourselves with the necessary tools and create a foundation for success. Unfortunately, there were numerous factors that ultimately hindered our progress."

Brandon Jones and Serene Russell, seen in the above image, became engaged on the season 8 finale of Bachelor in Paradise, which was broadcasted in November 2022. However, less than a year after their engagement, the couple publicly announced their separation.

"After several months, we have made the difficult decision to bring our engagement to an end," the couple stated via their joint Instagram post in May. They acknowledged the challenges they faced in trying to work on their relationship privately while being constantly scrutinized by the public. Despite the pain and difficulty of this decision, they emphasized the presence of deep love between them and urged for an absence of hate. Moving forward, their focus is on personal healing and individual growth.

Curious about the amicable tone of the breakup statement, Bristowe, aged 38, confronted Russell regarding the role of infidelity in their separation.

Russell responded, his emotions apparent, "I was completely shocked. The uncertainty of the future weighed heavily on me, causing a prolonged state of shock. ... I have never experienced such deep feelings of despair before. Coping with it was a tremendous challenge."

However, despite the devastation caused by the breakup, Russell finds solace in the progress she has made in self-improvement. "What hurt me the most was losing confidence in myself," she expressed. "That's the aspect I have dedicated the most effort towards - being kinder to myself and avoiding self-criticism."

Season 9 of Bachelor in Paradise airs on ABC Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET.