Batavia man finds trouble on 'Bachelorette'
A Batavia man competing for the heart of "The Bachelorette" Kaitlyn Bristowe may see his chances "going down in flames" after Monday night's episode and the controversy surrounding his relationship with another male contestant.
Clint Arlis, a Batavia native, started out as a strong contender. They went on a date and did an underwater photo shoot and kissed. Since then, Arlis' "bromance" with fellow contestant JJ Lane has been hyped as a homosexual attraction - he's been dubbed "Brokeback Bachelor" on social media - and in Monday's episode, Arlis and Lane were shown spending lots of secluded time together, sitting around shirtless, relaxing in the hot tub alone and cooking together.
"We've grown very close. Almost too close, I think, at times. In the room, and stuff like that, and in the shower," Arlis says on camera while starting to laugh, one of several signs his relationship with Lane is more reality TV hype than reality.
Arlis and Bristowe kissed again in Monday night's episode, but he appears on the verge of being booted off the show. Bristowe now considers Arlis a player and says he isn't the man she thought he was after their first date.
"At this point, there's too many red flags. This is NOT someone I want to marry," Bristowe said,
Another suburban contestant, personal trainer Justin Reich, of Naperville, remains in the running. The show continues next Monday night on ABC.