What Season Was Clay On Alone?
Clay Harbor is best known for his appearances across shows in the popular Bachelor franchise on ABC. He first joined the franchise as a contestant looking for love on Becca Kufrin’s season of The Bachelorette in 2018. Clay made it far in the competition before having to leave unexpectedly due to a wrist injury. He then appeared on Bachelor in Paradise seasons 5 and 6, where he built connections with various women from Bachelor Nation. Clay’s journey across the Bachelor shows over the years made him a fan favorite personality within the franchise.
Clay’s Bachelor Nation Beginnings
Clay first joined Bachelor Nation as a contestant on Becca Kufrin’s season of The Bachelorette in 2018. As reported, Clay was an NFL player hoping to win Becca’s heart on her season. He was one of 28 contestants originally appearing on Becca’s season.
Joining Bachelor in Paradise
Clay Harbor first joined the Bachelor franchise as a contestant on Becca Kufrin’s season of The Bachelorette in 2018. After being eliminated in week 7, Clay joined season 5 of Bachelor in Paradise in 2019 looking for another shot at love.
Clay arrived in Paradise in week 2 of the season. He went on a date with Nicole Lopez-Alvar but initially seemed more interested in Angela Amezcua (source). However, Clay and Nicole ended up hitting it off and spent much of the season together, leading to them leaving Paradise as a couple in week 5.
Relationships on Bachelor in Paradise
Clay started out Bachelor in Paradise season 5 by connecting with Angela Amezcua. The two hit it off quickly and spent a lot of time together in Paradise. However, their relationship hit some bumps when Clay also made a connection with another contestant, Nicole Lopez-Alvar (https://people.com/tv/bachelor-in-paradise-clay-harbor-nicole-lopez-alvar-were-at-reunion/).
Clay struggled with deciding between Angela and Nicole. He ended up choosing to pursue a relationship with Nicole, which upset Angela. Nicole and Clay continued spending time together in Paradise and appeared to be developing a strong connection. However, they ended up leaving Paradise early before the finale.
Drama and Conflicts
When Clay first arrived in Paradise, he went on a date with Bibiana Julian. However, this sparked drama with another contestant Christian Estrada who had previously gone on a date with Bibiana. Christian felt that Clay was going behind his back by asking out Bibiana. This led to a heated confrontation between Clay and Christian where they accused each other of not being genuine (Source).
More conflict arose when Clay decided to pursue a relationship with Nicole Lopez-Alvar. Nicole had briefly dated contestant Jordan Kimball at the start of the season. Jordan felt betrayed that Nicole was suddenly interested in Clay, leading him to accuse Nicole of fake crying and only being on the show for attention. This caused major tension between Jordan and Nicole that later erupted into a dramatic confrontation (Source).
Developing a Connection with Nicole
Clay and Nicole developed a strong connection early on during season 5 of Bachelor in Paradise. Nicole joined the beach in week 3 and immediately hit it off with Clay after going on a date (“What happened to Clay and Nicole on Bachelor In Paradise,” 2018). The two seemed very compatible and quickly became an established couple in Paradise.
Clay was smitten with Nicole from the start. He appreciated her intelligence, wit, and adventurous spirit. Meanwhile, Nicole was drawn to Clay’s sincerity, charm, and good looks. Their natural chemistry was evident to everyone.
As their relationship progressed, Clay and Nicole opened up to each other emotionally. Clay shared details about his difficult childhood, while Nicole confided her insecurities. This vulnerability brought them closer together (“Reality TV news – Monsters and Critics,” n.d.).
By the end of their time in Paradise, Clay and Nicole had forged a meaningful connection. Their romance grew steadily, and they seemed poised for a future together after the show.
Leaving Paradise Together
Clay Harbor and Nicole Lopez-Alvar left season 5 of Bachelor in Paradise as a couple during the finale episode in 2018. After connecting and building their relationship throughout the season, Harbor and Lopez-Alvar decided to exclusively date off the show instead of getting engaged in Paradise.
In the season finale, Harbor expressed some hesitation about proposing to Lopez-Alvar in Paradise. As he explained, “I want to make sure that six months, a year from now, you’re not looking back like, ‘Oh my God, what did I do?'” Lopez-Alvar agreed with wanting to build their relationship further outside of Paradise before getting engaged (People).
So while they left the show as an official couple, Harbor and Lopez-Alvar decided not to rush into an engagement. Instead, they planned to continue dating and getting to know each other better once the show ended and they could live their normal lives again. Their relationship and time on Paradise concluded with optimism about their future together.
Life After Paradise
After leaving Paradise together, Clay and Nicole continued their relationship in the real world. They appeared happy together and were spotted being affectionate in public on numerous occasions. According to this Reddit thread, fans were eagerly awaiting news of whether Clay and Nicole got engaged after the show, but Reality Steve did not leak them as an engaged couple.
Despite seeming solid initially, Clay and Nicole’s relationship outside of Paradise did not last. In October 2019, about two months after Bachelor in Paradise finished filming, reports emerged that the two had quietly split up at some point after the show aired.
While their romance did not work out long-term, Clay and Nicole remain on good terms today. They had an undeniable connection on Bachelor in Paradise, even if it ultimately proved unsustainable off-camera.
Clay’s Bachelor Franchise Legacy
Clay Harbor first joined the Bachelor franchise on season 14 of The Bachelorette, starring Becca Kufrin. He had to leave the show early after injuring his wrist during a group date (https://bachelor-nation.fandom.com/wiki/Clay_Harbor). Though his journey was cut short, Clay made an impression as a kind, mature contestant.
Clay then joined season 5 of Bachelor in Paradise, where he connected with Angela and Nicole. He ultimately left Paradise with Nicole, choosing to pursue a relationship with her off the show. Though their relationship didn’t ultimately work out, Clay emerged as a fan favorite during his time on Paradise (https://www.instagram.com/clayharbs82/?hl=en).
Across his two appearances in the Bachelor franchise, Clay established himself as an earnest, genuine person open to finding love. Fans appreciated his maturity, focus on building connections, and good-natured spirit. Though Clay didn’t end up engaged or married after his Bachelor Nation journey, he represented himself well and made lasting connections with viewers.
Conclusion
In summary, Clay Harbor’s journey in Bachelor Nation was full of ups and downs. He first appeared as a contestant on Becca Kufrin’s season of The Bachelorette in 2018. While he didn’t end up with Becca, Clay left a good impression and returned for Season 5 of Bachelor in Paradise that same year. On Paradise, he connected with Angela but ultimately left the show single. Clay came back again for Season 6 of Paradise in 2019, where he formed a strong relationship with Nicole Lopez-Alvar. The two left the show together and dated for several months after filming ended. However, they announced their breakup in early 2020. Throughout his time in Bachelor Nation, Clay gained many fans who appreciated his humor, sensitivity, and maturity. While he never found lasting love on the shows, Clay’s journey was meaningful and impactful. He remains friends with many former castmates and is still a beloved member of Bachelor Nation today.