Are Kaitlyn Bristowe and Nick Viall Still Friends After ‘The Bachelorette’?

Bachelor Nation fans are about to relive Kaitlyn Bristowe’s Bachelorette journey in a condensed three-hour episode on Monday, June 15. The 24-year-old had quite the dramatic journey, including her final decision between Shawn Booth and Nick Viall. In the end, Bristowe chose to be with Booth. But are Bristowe and Viall still friends now, five years after The Bachelorette Season 11? Here’s an update on their relationship today.

What happened to Kaitlyn Bristowe and Nick Viall on ‘The Bachelorette’?

If you think about it, Bachelor Nation finales are incredibly uncomfortable. The lead has to dump their runner-up right before they’re supposed to experience the best moment of their lives. And that’s what happened during The Bachelorette Season 11. 

In the season finale, Bristowe chose Booth after dumping Viall. But right before the split, the former dance teacher had to listen as Viall poured his heart out. 

“I’ve been thinking about how in love I am with you and what you mean to me,” Viall said at the time. “Look, I’m not ready to let you go. And I don’t want to let us go. I am in love with you. I look at you and I have such confidence in you — and us. I’m yours forever if you’ll have me.”

Then just as Viall pulled out the engagement ring, Bristowe turned him down. “No? Alright,” he said and put the box away. 

Meanwhile, Bristowe broke down in tears and apologized. She said her heart was with someone else and Viall shut her out. “I don’t think there’s anything you could say that would make me less confused,” Viall said. He then questioned whether what they had was real. 

Do Kaitlyn Bristowe and Nick Viall still talk after ‘The Bachelorette’?

Immediately following The Bachelorette Season 11, Bristowe and Viall appeared civil toward one another. Then in February 2019, Viall told Us Weekly he hadn’t “had much interaction [with her] in a few years.” Though Bristowe made a few jabs at her ex when speaking with the media. 

Then in May 2019, Bristowe went on the LadyGang podcast and she finally spoke with Viall after three and a half years. She also admitted to the weight of her previous comments. 

“We were doing little, small jabs at each other,” Bristowe said at the time. “Then I was like, ‘We just need to talk it out.’ And then he was like, ‘What did I do [to] you?’ I was like, ‘Yeah, nothing. That’s fair.’”

Meanwhile, Bristowe and Viall reconnected, appearing on each other’s podcasts in November 2019. Once again, Bristowe owned up to her actions. She also revealed she did so to protect Booth.

“I was totally trying to protect a relationship and maybe it was too far that way,” Bristowe said on The Viall Files podcast. “I could have just dropped it. But it was such a lingering thing over my head all the time from the show. I always felt so much shame around you. So I think I projected … just because I was trying to protect the relationship.”

Nick Viall says he still calls Kaitlyn Bristowe a ‘good friend’ on Instagram

Now, it seems Viall and Bristowe are still friends years after The Bachelorette Season 11 ended. Then hours before Bristowe’s episode of The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons — Ever! aired on June 15, Viall reflected upon the journey.

“It was like waving at someone who’s waving at the person behind … but million times worse,” Viall wrote on Instagram. “TBH I look back on this time of my life and have nothing but positive memories.”

He continued, “I just didn’t think ABC would make us relive the entire failed proposal tomorrow night. It really was a season for the ages. You never know how you view things as time passes.”

Then Viall confirmed he is still friendly with Bristowe. “Glad to be able to call KB a good friend!” he wrote.

Meanwhile, Bristowe commented on Viall’s Instagram post, confirming their friendship. “So glad we are friends now too,” she wrote.

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