After nearly seven years of looking for love in the Bachelor franchise, season 16 Bachelorette Clare Crawley met her match in contestant Dale Moss … for a little while, anyway. The on-again, off-again couple called it quits for a second time following their stint on the hit ABC series, according to a September 28 Us Weekly report.
“It was best for them to go their separate ways at this time,” a source told the publication. “They will still support each other and have love for each other no matter what.”
In July 2020, Life & Style was the first to report that the reality TV star, 40, threatened to quit the show because “she had already fallen in love” with the former professional athlete, 33. Fast forward to August of that year and talk among production was that Clare and Dale were engaged.
Come November 2020, Bachelorette viewers got to see the South Dakota native get down on one knee and propose to the Bachelor in Paradise alum. From there, Bachelorette Tayshia Adams took over the remaining episodes of season 16 and it looked like Clare and Dale would get their happily ever after.
Unfortunately, their fairytale romance took a sour turn in January 2021. “I wanted to share with you all that Clare and I have decided to go our separate ways. We appreciate the love and support we’ve received from so many people, but this is the healthiest decision for both of us at this time,” Dale wrote in a statement on Instagram.
“We strongly believe in leading with love and always remaining true to oneself — something our families have taught and instilled in us throughout our lives,” he added. “We only hope the best things for one another.”
Two days later, Clare broke her silence on the pair’s shocking split. “I was made aware of a ‘mutual’ statement at the same time you all were, so I’ve needed some time to really digest this. Speaking for myself, my intentions with this relationship have always been very clear, so the truth is I am crushed. This is not what I expected or hoped for, and I am still trying to process this,” the hairstylist began.
“2020 was one hell of a year, with COVID, battling severe anxiety post-show, balancing a public new relationship, all while slowly losing my mother. It hasn’t been ideal circumstances, but that is life, right? I have been looking forward to the light at the end of the tunnel,” Clare continued. “Our relationship was not perfect, but I can say I was genuinely invested with all of my heart. I may not have the answers, but I do know this — I will continue to show up, stand by my word and be committed to love.”
In February, Clare and Dale reconciled their relationship, and the lovebirds spent the following months, including all of summer 2021, looking happier than ever. In fact, the now-exes last shared photos of each other via Instagram on September 10.
Clare Crawley and Dale Moss’ reps did not immediately respond to Life & Style‘s request for comment.