The Bachelor mansion is famous for its sunset proposals, but the real world usually hits a lot harder. People still ask about Gabby Windey and Erich Schwer. It makes sense. They were the "it" couple of Season 19, the ones who seemed like they might actually beat the odds.
Then, life happened. Fast.
🔗 Read more: Janice Dickinson Explained: Why the Self-Proclaimed First Supermodel Still Matters
Gabby and Erich’s relationship didn’t just fizzle out; it practically evaporated under the heat of a high-speed career jump and some pretty messy public drama. By the time they officially called it quits in November 2022, they hadn't even reached the two-month mark of their engagement airing on TV.
Honestly, looking back at it now from 2026, the signs were all there.
The Reality of a Whirlwind Engagement
When Erich popped the question on The Bachelorette finale, fans were ecstatic. He was the sole remaining man for Gabby, a mullet-rocking real estate analyst who seemed to "get" her quirky, ICU-nurse-turned-star energy. But the "bubble" is real. Once the cameras stopped rolling, they had to deal with the fact that they were basically strangers with matching rings.
It wasn't just about getting to know each other's favorite colors.
Scandal hit before the finale even finished airing. First, an old high school yearbook photo of Erich in blackface surfaced. Then, an ex-girlfriend leaked texts suggesting he only went on the show for "career advancement" and dumped her right before filming.
📖 Related: Rebecca King Crews Young: The Real Story Behind the Beauty Queen and the NFL Wife
Gabby, being Gabby, tried to handle it with her trademark bluntness. She told People they were "seeing how we can become better." But let’s be real—that’s a heavy load for a brand-new relationship to carry while the entire internet is watching and judging your every move.
Why Gabby Windey and Erich Schwer Actually Split
So, what was the "official" reason?
Gabby finally cleared the air while she was competing on Dancing with the Stars. She mentioned they weren’t "in step" or "in sync" with their common goals. That sounds like typical PR speak, but if you read between the lines, it’s pretty clear.
- Timing was a nightmare. Gabby was training 10 hours a day for DWTS. Erich was dealing with the recent loss of his father and the fallout of his own public image issues.
- Different career trajectories. Gabby was leaning hard into the spotlight; Erich seemed to be trying to find his footing in a post-Bachelor world that wasn't exactly giving him a hero's edit.
- Fundamental incompatibility. Gabby eventually admitted they just weren't each other's "best match."
Erich later backed this up on Instagram, saying they "ultimately were not each other’s people." No huge blowout. No cheating scandal (post-show, anyway). Just two people realizing that a TV connection doesn't always translate to a Tuesday night in the suburbs.
Where They Are Now: A Complete Pivot
If you haven't kept up with them since 2023, you’ve missed a lot. Like, a lot.
Gabby’s Big Reveal
Gabby Windey did something most Bachelor leads never do: she completely stepped away from the "Influencer + Bachelor Husband" template. In August 2023, she came out on The View, announcing she was dating comedian Robby Hoffman.
She hasn't looked back.
In fact, she and Robby just celebrated their first wedding anniversary in January 2025 after a surprise Las Vegas chapel wedding. Gabby seems happier, lighter, and way more authentic than she ever did while trying to make things work with a guy from a reality show. It turns out the "syncing up" she needed wasn't with a man at all.
Erich’s Low Profile
Erich, on the other hand, has kept things much more low-key. After a brief stint dating Elizabeth Turner in 2023, he mostly moved away from the reality TV circus. He’s still active on social media, sure, but he isn’t chasing the "Bachelor Nation" clout the way some of his peers do.
He seems focused on his personal life and family. Sometimes, the best thing a "villain" (or even just a misunderstood contestant) can do is just live a normal life.
Lessons from the Gabby and Erich Saga
What can we actually take away from this?
First, the "Bachelor Bubble" is dangerous. It magnifies chemistry and hides red flags. Second, public pressure to "make it work" often keeps couples together long after they should have parted ways. Gabby and Erich could have dragged it out for a year to get the Instagram deals, but they didn't.
They ripped the Band-Aid off early.
If you’re following your favorite reality stars, remember that what you see on screen is about 5% of their actual personality. The text leaks and yearbook photos were a wake-up call for the audience that these are real people with messy pasts.
What to Do Next
If you're still curious about how Bachelor couples fare in the real world, here's how to keep a healthy perspective:
- Check the Timeline: Most Bachelor breakups happen within 3 to 6 months of the finale. If they make it past a year, they might actually be the real deal.
- Look for Personal Growth: Watch how leads like Gabby pivot after their season. Those who move into new industries or come out with personal revelations are often the ones who find the most lasting happiness.
- Support Individual Journeys: You don't have to pick a "side" in a breakup like this. Both Gabby and Erich have moved on to lives that clearly suit them better than their engagement did.
The rose ceremony is just the beginning; the real story starts when the lights go down and the microphones are turned off.