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Gabby Windey, one of the notable four out of 24 former stars, opted out of participating in the special episode of The Bachelorette: Before the First Rose. This event was broadcast on March 15, following the Oscars, and served as a prelude to the March 22 premiere of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives featuring Taylor Frankie Paul. During the special, past Bachelorettes came together to offer Taylor advice and share some behind-the-scenes anecdotes.
Among those who made an in-person appearance were Trista Rehn Sutter, the original Bachelorette, alongside Meredith Phillips, DeAnna Pappas, Ali Fedotowsky-Manno, Ashley Hebert-Rosenbaum, Emily Maynard-Johnson, Desiree Siegfried, Andi Dorfman-Hart, Kaitlyn Bristowe, JoJo Fletcher, Rachel Lindsay, Becca Kufrin, Hannah Brown-Woolard, Tayshia Adams, Katie Thurston, Rachel Recchia, Charity Lawson, and Joan Vassos, the first-ever Golden Bachelorette.
While Jillian Harris and Jenn Tran contributed via video messages, Jen Schefft, Clare Crawley, Michelle Young, and Gabby Windey were notably absent. Gabby made history during the 19th season of The Bachelorette in 2022 as part of the first-ever dual Bachelorette format with her close friend Rachel Recchia. Both women were top contenders, finishing in the top three on Clayton Echard’s season of The Bachelor, alongside the ultimate winner, Susie Evans.
Gabby’s journey on The Bachelorette concluded with her engagement to Eric Schwer, although their relationship ended after seven months. In a bold and personal revelation in August 2023, Gabby announced her relationship with comedian and TV writer Robby Hoffman, culminating in their marriage in January 2025.
Gabby got engaged to Eric Schwer at the end of The Bachelorette season 19, but they broke up seven months later. In August 2023, Gabby came out and announced her relationship with comedian and TV writer Robby Hoffman. They were married in January 2025.
Since The Bachelorette, Gabby placed second in Dancing With The Stars season 31 in 2022 and won The Traitors season 3 in 2025. Next, she’ll host Love Overboard, a new reality dating series.
Gabby Windey Reveals Why She Skipped The Bachelorette: Before The First Rose Ahead Of Taylor Frankie Paul’s Season
In an interview with ET, Gabby revealed the simple reason that she skipped The Bachelorette: Before the First Rose ahead of Taylor’s season. She explained, “I was out of town.” When asked if she had FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) about it, she replied, “Always … I’ve just been so busy. So it’s hard to make everything work. But that’s amazing. I’m so happy for them to get together again.”
Gabby Has High Hopes For Taylor’s Bachelorette Season
When asked how she thought Taylor will do as the Bachelorette, Gabby responded without hesitation, “I think she’ll crush.” Gabby added that choosing Taylor as the next Bachelorette was “genius.”
Taylor is breaking new ground on The Bachelorette as the first lead from outside of the franchise. She’s never appeared in a Bachelor season, but she’s no stranger to reality TV because she’s one of the stars of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. The 31-year-old mother of three and influencer has been married before to Tate Paul, who is the father of two of her children. Her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, is the father of her youngest child.
Although it was disappointing that Gabby couldn’t attend The Bachelorette: Before the First Rose reunion because she has such a great personality and would’ve been fun to watch, it’s wonderful to hear that she’s busy doing other things. Perhaps Gabby can offer some advice to Taylor in another capacity in the future. She had one of the most unique experiences on the show, and, although she didn’t find a lasting relationship on The Bachelorette, her own personal journey led to her finding the love of her life.
The Bachelorette season 22 starring Taylor Frankie Paul premieres Sunday, March 22 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
Source: ET
- Release Date
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January 8, 2003
- Network
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ABC
- Showrunner
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Mike Fleiss
- Directors
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Mike Fleiss
- Writers
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Elan Gale