Katie ThurstonandJohn Herseydid what was best for them.
“This is a simple yet complicated breakup given that we were best friends before dating,” Thurston, 31, wrote on Wednesday while participating in a Q&A with fans. “We are on good terms so [we’re] just finding a healthy balance of space in order for closure.”
She added: “At the end of the day, you just want the person you love to be happy and you support whatever path they take to find that.”
Thurston also responded to a fan who asked “if you could do it again, would you agree to be the bachelorette?” In response, she admitted, “I wouldn’t do Bach, Bachelorette or BIP [Bachelor in Paradise]”
Katie Thurston/Instagram
Thurstonannounced her split from Hersey, 28, on June 20. On her Instagram Story, she wrote: “Statement: no we aren’t together.”
Hersey, for his part, gave a more elaborate response to the matter. “As Katie stated earlier, we are no longer dating. The decision was not made lightly and it was obviously not an easy one to make,” he began.
“I love being able to share special moments with you all — the funny ones. The happy ones. The outrageous, embarrassing, and heartfelt ones. But I don’t know if it will ever get easier to share the sad ones,” he added. “I appreciate every one of you that has supported us throughout this journey. We could not (and would not) be here without you.”
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Thurston was previously a contestant onMatt James' season ofThe Bachelor, airing in 2021. After being eliminated, she went nab the leading role on season 17 ofThe Bachelorette— and that’s where she met Hersey.
Hersey was eliminated in week 2 but the pair reconnected post-show and built a strong friendship amid her engagement toBlake Moynes. One month afterher split from Moynes, 31, was announcedin October 2021, a rep for Thurston confirmed to PEOPLE that she wasexploring a “romantic connection” with Hersey.
Paul Archuleta/GC Images
While together, Thurston and Hersey faced criticism for how quickly their romance flourished after her broken engagement. Even Moynes commented on the matter, claiming ontheTalking It Outpodcast that she was “in some sense emotionally cheating.”
But Herseycame to Thurston’s defense on Redditafter witnessing “SO many” people on social media “build assumptions and throw around accusations.” He then wrote, “Neither Katie nor I would ever cheat, push someone to cheat, or be involved in cheating. It is not in our nature.”
Hersey recently defended his ex after one internet user claimed Thurston was not able to “get a guy.”
Since their split, the exes have beenspotted hanging out with friendsat the San Diego County Fair.
source: people.com
