On June 28, the new episode of The Bachelorette Season 17 shocked fans when Katie Thurston sent Thomas Jacobs packing. Many viewers knew the elimination was coming sooner or later. But some individuals were a little confused by the way it was handled. So why did Katie send Thomas home in The Bachelorette Week 4? Apparently, the final straw didn’t air on TV — here’s what Katie had to say.
In The Bachelorette Season 17 Episode 4, Katie’s contestants cracked down on Thomas after he admitted he thought about becoming the next bachelor. Then many suitors continued to bring up the real estate broker ahead of the rose ceremony.
Of course, The Bachelorette cast’s criticisms made Katie questioned Thomas and whether he was there for the right reasons. But regardless, the lead announced her decision in an unconventional way during the rose ceremony.
When Katie grabbed the final rose of the night, she called out Thomas’ name. But it was a fakeout.
“You told me things I wanted to hear,” Katie told Thomas. “But what I learned about you tonight is you’re selfish, unkind, and a liar. Your Bachelor audition ends tonight. So get out.”
Many fans had mixed feelings about Thomas’ exit in The Bachelorette Season 17 Episode 4. Katie called out the contestant for being “unkind,” which wasn’t exactly shown to viewers. But when speaking with The Bachelor star Nick Viall in the Viall Files podcast, Katie suggested that the fandom didn’t get the full picture.
“There’s so much you can show in a two-hour episode,” Katie said. “One thing that I wish was shown — which was the nail in the coffin for me — was Thomas came forward and said he was mean to Tre [Cooper]. And Tre is the most kind-hearted man.”
She continued, “Once I heard that, I was like, if you can’t handle conversations, I’ve already experienced it firsthand. You aren’t able to communicate in a normal, effective way. Now, you’re being mean to Tre, who is a sweetheart. I don’t have time for you, and I wasn’t going to waste time with him.”
Katie also noted that she never confirmed the story with Tre. But whatever the case, the bachelorette was done the Thomas situation at that point.
“With Thomas, I was just over it,” Katie said. “I did not have time to waste. I’m going to make quick decisions. And if all of a sudden, there’s no guys left, that’s not on me, that’s on casting. If you’re going to bring s—– guys here, that’s not on my end.”
While things didn’t work out with Katie, it seems Bachelorette fans might see Thomas again in Bachelor in Paradise. Following his elimination, Katie hinted that her ex will end up on the summer spinoff. But for now, viewers will just have to wait and see what happens next.
Nevertheless, Katie warned the BIP cast about Thomas when speaking on the Viall Files podcast. At one point, the bachelorette was asked whether she was open to Thomas’ redemption arc in Bachelor in Paradise. Then Katie replied, “No.”
“If he’s on Paradise, I don’t care who he’s with, I’m going to be like, ‘Watch out, girl,’” Katie said.
She later added, “He’s hot, but like, red flags everywhere.”
The Bachelorette Season 17 airs Monday nights on ABC. Bachelor in Paradise returns for season 7 on Aug. 16, 2021.