Unveiling Katie Thurston's Unexpected Journey on 'FBoy Island': Prepare for a Shocking Twist
Katie Thurston reveals that a significant majority, 75 percent, of her former 'Bachelorette' contestants would be categorized as 'FBoys' as she makes her return to reality TV on 'FBoy Island'
Former Bachelorette Katie Thurston, who handed out roses two years ago, is now on the hunt for love once again, this time on the reality show FBoy Island. Aware of the possibility that some men may have ulterior motives, Katie acknowledges that her previous experience and newfound platform could attract individuals who aren't genuinely interested in a relationship with her. In an exclusive interview with We, the 32-year-old reality TV personality opens up about the unique circumstances of her current quest for love.
Katie, who gained experience in the world of filming on Matt James' season of The Bachelor and as the Bachelorette in season 17, revealed that she faced more insecurities during her third time in front of the cameras. She expressed concern about people using her to chase after fame and wanting to be on the show just to experience a brief moment of recognition. In the 2021 finale of The Bachelorette, viewers saw Katie get engaged to Blake Moynes, but their relationship ended just two months after the finale aired.
“We resided in different countries amidst the pandemic. I believe we were already facing numerous challenges,” Katie shared with Us when asked about the lessons she gained from the failed engagement. “Therefore, one must seek a partner who is willing to make an effort. This applies not only to him or myself but to long-distance relationships in general. It seems that such a choice may not be suitable for someone like me, who greatly desires a hands-on, in-person connection.”
Katie Thurston Adam Rose/CW
Fans will see Katie and Blake’s first conversation since their breakup when she makes a cameo on an upcoming episode of Bachelor in Paradise.
“I was incredibly anxious, especially to see Blake. ... You’ll have to stay tuned to find out where we currently stand. However, I did recently mention that I forgot to deactivate the feature that shares my Uber rides with him. He's been receiving the notifications for the past two years, so at least we're on speaking terms," she informed Us. "I found out about it and have since disabled that option."
Following her breakup with Blake, Katie started dating one of her other contestants, John Hersey. They went public with their relationship a few weeks after the news broke about her and Blake. Although they ended things over a year ago, she recently received a message from him. "My friend in Washington happened to come across him on a dating app. So he found out through word-of-mouth that I knew, and he said, 'Yeah, I was in your hometown and wanted to say hi and let you know.' I simply chose not to respond. However, there are no hard feelings; we're fine," she stated.
She shared that the most important lesson she learned from the extended romance was the significance of avoiding a premature official launch.
"When you are constantly in the public eye, it becomes essential to maintain a level of discretion and protection for a longer period of time. While it can be enjoyable to share joyful moments with the public, experiencing a breakup in the public eye is incredibly challenging," she explained.
Adam Rose/The CW
So, why did Katie want to give looking for love on reality TV another shot to begin with?
“There were numerous factors that drew me to the show. First and foremost, having Nikki Glaser as the host was a major reason for me to participate, especially since I am pursuing my own comedic aspirations. When I was invited to watch season 2, I was curious to see what the show was all about. As I watched, I found it to be incredibly funny and almost satirical, which provided a refreshing contrast to my previous experience on The Bachelor. I was looking for something more lighthearted and this show seemed to offer that. So, not only was there a possibility of finding love, but also the opportunity to win money and make new friends. It truly was a win-win situation for me.
Katie is joined by model Hali Okeowo and influencer Daniella Grace as they enter the dating world, encountering both "FBoys" and "nice guys" who may have different motivations, including the chance to win the $100,000 prize. If the leads choose a "nice guy," they share the cash prize. However, if they select an "FBoy," he can either keep the money for himself or choose to split it with them."
Justin Stephens/The CW
Navigating this situation is truly fascinating because you believe you understand someone, but then a shocking revelation occurs that completely astonishes you," Katie shared with Us, expressing her enjoyment of working alongside Hali and Danielle. "It felt like almost every day we were jotting down the names of the contestants on these little scraps of paper, constantly rearranging them to figure out which ones were definitely FBoys. Some individuals had us on the fence, and as eliminations took place, we would attempt to calculate how many FBoys remained. Surprisingly, we were often mistaken. Therefore, every day we collaborate, exchanging our own experiences with the guys."
Katie mentioned that while the show has elements of a game show, she found the dating aspect to be more genuine compared to The Bachelorette. She explained that on The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, things move quickly and there's always the fear of being taken away by someone else. However, on FBoy Island, Katie felt that she had the opportunity to spend uninterrupted quality time with the guys, even during group sessions. She would often lose track of time and only remember when another guy joined the conversation. This made the experience feel more normal despite the unconventional environment, with minimal external interference.
When asked about the number of her Bachelorette contestants she now considers as "FBoys," Us inquired Katie, the new expert on the topic.
With a laugh, she confessed, "Oh gosh, I'd say about 75 percent. They transformed after the show. Perhaps they initially portrayed themselves as nice guys, but things changed."
Katie chose not to reveal the identities of the "FBoys," but she did acknowledge that Thomas Jacobs falls into the 25 percent category of "nice guys," despite his negative portrayal on the show. She emphasized that reality TV is just a form of entertainment and does not accurately reflect who people truly are in real life.
Season 3 of FBoy Island will debut on The CW on Monday, October 16th, at 8 p.m. ET.
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