Will Tayshia Adams Take Back Ben Smith? Learn 5 Facts About The Handsome Hunk
Dec. 22 2020, Published 8:09 p.m. ET
Even though Tayshia Adams eliminated Ben Smith during the Tuesday, December 15, episode of The Bachelorette, the handsome hunk returned during part one of the season 16 finale on Monday, December 21.
The 30-year-old leading lady sent Smith, 30, home after their hometown date, where she met his sister and pal Antonia Lofaso, since he couldn’t muster up the courage to tell her how he really felt about her.
Adams narrowed it down to Ivan Hall and Zac Clark — Brendan Morais eliminated himself after he realized he wasn't ready to propose to Adams — but Smith knocked on Adams’ door just minutes before the episode ended.
TAYSHIA ADAMS PICKS HER FINAL 7 GUYS ON ‘THE BACHELORETTE’ — BUT THERE’S A TWIST!
“I know I’m supposed to be long gone, and I know you sent me home already, but the way that that ended, I was so completely caught off guard, I just didn’t even know what to do or say,” he told the brunette babe while they were in her suite at the hotel. “And I’m sorry for that.
“For two days after, all I’ve been saying is ‘What the f**k just happened?’ I didn’t even see that coming. And the feelings that I’ve had for you, I’ve been describing this entire time. I just didn’t know what it was, but I’m in love with you,” he said.
Smith wasn’t sure if Adams would even ask him back to be on the show, but he had to shoot his shot. “I am in love with you,” he continued. “Like, the life we could have together. The thought of that, it keeps me awake at night. And I’m not sure what to do right now, I’m not sure what I’m asking for. I don’t even know what I’m doing. I just couldn’t leave. But I just had to tell you. Like, I see a life with you.”
5 FACTS ABOUT TAYSHIA ADAMS’ EX JOSH BOURELLE (WHO’S NOW SPILLING ALL THE TEA!)
Clearly, Adams was flustered and caught off guard. "I'm going to need a minute, OK?" she said before storming off to another room.
While speaking with a producer, she said, "I mean, I just want to cry. I don't know what to do. There's a rose ceremony. What do I do with that?!"
Only time will tell if Adams lets Smith back in the game.
In the meantime, scroll through the gallery below to learn more about the rule-breaking contestant.
He Served In The Army
Smith attended West Point and was an Army Ranger until he suffered a back injury and left.
"I had this epiphany and I was like, 'You know what? I don't need to do this anymore,'" he said. "It was a very weird thing for me because I had based my life on achieving these goals."
He Had An Eating Disorder
Want OK! each day? Sign up here!
“I had an eating disorder for 15 years,” he told Adams on the December 1 episode. “I found out what girls were when I was 15, I realized they don’t like the fat kid. So, I stopped eating, I started working out all the time, lost like, 70 pounds, and had bulimia for, like, 10 years when I was in my 20s. It’s hard to hide something for so long. I kept it from everybody.”
Smith also revealed he tried to commit suicide more than once but after going to therapy, he's in a much better place.
He Grew Up In Indiana
Smith grew up in Indiana, and his dad is a dentist; his practice is called Really Smile Dental.
He’s A Personal Trainer
After his stint in the military, he moved to California to pursue a different career — health and fitness. Smith is a personal trainer at Bodybuilding Club in Venice, Calif., and also works at DEUCE Gym.
He’s Close With His Sister
Smith's sister, Madalyn, appeared on the show, and he's talked about their close bond to Adams. She has described Smith as the “most incredible role model in life.”