The Bachelor and The Bachelorette’s first-ever Black couple have announced on Instagram that they are ending their engagement. 29-year-old Michelle Young and 27-year-old Nayte Olukoya shared their emotions surrounding their decision to end the engagement on their Instagram stories on Friday, June 17.
“To those who have supported Nayte and I, including Bachelor Nation, I know I speak for the both of us when saying having a relationship in the public eye has not been easy,” the ex-bachelorette wrote on her Instagram story. “I’m struggling to say that Nayte and I will be going our separate ways but I stand with him in knowing the heaviness that is present in both our hearts as this relationship has been very real for us.”
The Minnesota native added a sweet message aimed toward her former fiancé, “To you, Nayte, you quickly became my best friend, and the love I have for you is incredibly strong. I will never stop wanting to see you succeed.”
“I will always acknowledge and appreciate the adventures, support, and growth both Nayte and this experience have brought to me. At the same time, I’m deeply hurting and will need time and space to work through this heartbreak,” she added in her Instagram story.
Michelle and Nayte have broken up. Her statement was just posted on her IG pic.twitter.com/CLz6Ixx6WX
— RealitySteve (@RealitySteve) June 18, 2022
Olukoya posted on his Instagram story, as well, on the same day.
“When we both started this journey, we were looking for our Soulmates. Our forever. Our best friends, However, as we grow and learn, we also realize that sometimes somebody that you hold dear to your heart isn’t somebody that you’re meant to spend the rest of your life with. Michelle and I are going to move forward separately. Hearts are heavy, emotions are high, and we are dealing with this the best way we can.”
He continued further, stating that during this private time, he and Young would handle this new chapter of their lives privately.
“What I do want to share with you all is that this was real,” he added. “We genuinely fell in love, and we genuinely became each other’s best friends. Michelle and I will always cheer each other on, but moving forward, we will be cheering from a distance.”
And Nayte’s statement… pic.twitter.com/ScQrsWGbFN
— RealitySteve (@RealitySteve) June 18, 2022
He concluded his message by thanking the public for their support and acknowledging that they understand their separation will receive mixed reactions, which it did.
A Twitter user posted their lack of surprise after hearing about the breakup.
nayte and michelle breaking up is not suprising to me or anyone else
— umuhoza is waiting for renaissance (@aleojanadnizur) June 18, 2022
Another Twitter user implied that Olukoya and the former Bachelorette’s engagement wasn’t meant to be.
Watched them Nayte wasn’t really into Michelle she made a very bad choice she went for physical looks. Anyway, wish them both well. https://t.co/V35gxB0zEj
— Maniquis Amanda B. (@waitnserve) June 18, 2022
One user expressed their sadness in regards to the news.
I’m really sad about Michelle and Nayte breaking up okay send me the bad place I don’t care #TheBachelorette pic.twitter.com/G09NfM7apS
— Jasmine Reed (@jaz_j_hey) June 18, 2022
The former couple’s engagement began during season 18’s finale of The Bachelorette; however, that wasn’t the first time Young was a part of the franchise. Young was runner-up in season 25 of The Bachelor with Matt James.
Young and Olukoya made history as the first Black couple following The Bachelor franchise receiving backlash for their lack of diversity. They attempted to “fix” by naming Matt James as the first Black bachelor. Racism overshadowed his season after his current girlfriend and former contestant Rachel Kirkconnell was seen participating in an antebellum plantation-themed party in a photo.
