If you thought Jake Pavelka and Vienna Girardi's "Bachelor" breakup was bad, you ain't seen nothing yet! After months of speculation -- and amid scathing cheating rumors -- former "Bachelorette" star Emily Maynard has apparently not found her happy ending. Again.
The 26-year-old single mom has ended her engagement to People Water exec Jef Holm. It's the second big "Bachelor" breakup in less than two weeks, and the second broken engagement for Maynard. (She was previously engaged to "Bachelor" star Brad Womack.)
In a statement to People, Maynard said, "I am sorry to tell you that Jef and I have, indeed, parted ways. It was a very difficult and heartbreaking decision… I have nothing but respect and love for Jef and his family, but ultimately we are just at different points in our lives. "
Holm added: "Emily will always have a special place in my heart…Who knows what tomorrow will bring, but we are moving on to the next chapter of our lives. I will always love her."
But the couple's amicable break-up story is very different from a scathing account reported in Us Weekly last month. The story alleged that the then-engaged Maynard engaged in racy texts with Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt Leinart. To add fuel to the fire, Holm's ex-girlfriend told the magazine that she met up with Holm for a rendezvous in a hotel, and he told her Maynard gave him "half of her 'Bachelorette' money" in exchange for a faked engagement.
Just two weeks ago marked the end of the road for another "Bachelor" couple, when the franchise's Season 16 star, Ben Flajnik, and his fiancé, Courtney Robertson, ended their engagement.
In a joint statement to In Touch, Flajnik and Robertson said, "After meeting over a year ago, we have decided to end our romantic relationship. The ups and downs weighed heavily on us both and ultimately we started to grow apart because of the distance, time apart, and our need to focus on our respective careers…We continue to remain friends and will support each other in future endeavors."
In an interview with Life & Style, Robertson said the couple's long-distance status contributed to their split. "When I stayed [with Ben] for long periods of time, it helped," she said. "I think if we'd lived together, we wouldn't have broken up… I'm a hopeless romantic and still believe I will find my soul mate. I need a guy who is ready for that chapter." (In a bizarre twist, she tested the waters on a recent date with Maynard's ex-flame, Arie Luyendyk Jr.)
But all is not lost for true "Bachelor" romantics! While the long-running franchise has only produced two weddings in 24 seasons (if you count Jason Mesnick's last minute bride switch, that is), there is finally another one on the horizon.
Season 7 "Bachelorette" star Ashley Hebert is set to tie the knot with her final man, J.P. Rosenbaum, in a televised wedding this December. ABC will host the gig, and Chris Harrison will be on hand to presumably do more than dole out roses. (Who knows, he might even officiate!)
The special will give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at everything from Ashley's custom-made gown fitting to J.P.'s bachelor party. And while it hasn't been announced, it will probably give the couple a hefty paycheck, too. Season 1 "Bachelorette" star Trista Rehn reportedly raked in a cool $1 million for her televised nuptials. That beats a final rose any day.
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