Trista Sutter’s side of the story about her rumored divorce from Ryan Sutter will set the record straight

We all love a good fairy tale, right? The one where everything is perfect and effortless and everyone rides off into the sunset without any bumps. But let’s be honest: life is not a Disney movie. Especially in the world of reality TV, where relationships that seem solid can quickly feel more like a house of cards when they’re in the spotlight.

Take Trista and Ryan Sutter for example. They were the golden couple Bachelor nation since day one – the true happily ever after in a franchise built on drama, heartbreak and those oh-so-sudden endings. In a world where love stories often end quickly, they have defied all odds… at least until recently.

Like all long-term relationships, rumors have a funny way of creeping in. Just when fans thought the Sutters were the exception to the rule, Ryan’s cryptic Instagram posts got tongues wagging about a possible breakup. The questions started to arise: Was the end of the fairy tale in danger? Was Trista in trouble? Had the couple, who have been together for more than twenty years, been going through a difficult period? Or was it something completely different?

Instead of letting the gossip take over, Trista Sutter has come forward to clear the air, take control of her story and set the record straight.

When did Ryan and Trista Sutter’s fairytale wedding start to have problems??

Ryan and Trista Sutter’s love story is like a fairytale, if you trade the magic for a few more roses and a few reality TV cameras. These two first crossed paths in 2003, when Ryan was vying for Trista’s heart The bachelorette (via Glamour). They married the same year.

Twenty years later, Trista and Ryan Sutter have built a life full of love, laughter, and the occasional toddler meltdown. They raised two children, Maxwell and Blakesley, while riding the rollercoaster of marriage. After twenty years, their story proves that true love is not just about the spark, but about hard work, even when life throws some curveballs.

But as with any marriage, even when it has gotten this far, things don’t always go smoothly. Ryan’s Instagram posts have prompted some to wonder if their relationship is facing its biggest challenge yet. And it all started in May 2024, just months after their wedding… The golden bachelor stars, Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist (who have since split).

The first hint came on May 11, 2024, when Ryan Sutter shared a cryptic message that left more questions than answers. He wrote:

The message seemed to hint at an internal struggle, but didn’t provide enough clarity for fans to connect the dots. Was he hinting at problems in his relationship with Trista? Or was it something more personal, perhaps even deeper? Check the message below:

Then it was Mother’s Day and things seemed to take an even more emotional turn (see Instagram). Fans watched closely, wondering if Ryan’s social media activity was an indicator of something brewing beneath the surface of their fairytale wedding.

Another heartfelt post from Ryan Sutter raises questions about his relationship with Wife

But then came the real head scratcher. Just days later, on May 18, 2024, Ryan Sutter posted a photo with Trista Sutter, accompanied by a heartfelt caption that exposed his deep desire for her. It was a love letter wrapped in a social media post — sweet, but also left fans scratching their heads and wondering what was going on behind the scenes.

I really wish I could talk to you. Do you ask how you are? How was your day. I would really like to hear your voice – just for a moment. So many times I called without saying much, without realizing how lucky I was or how much I would miss the opportunity when it passed.

The tone was undeniably loving, but there was an underlying atmosphere that felt a little strange. The message suggested that Trista was on a soul-searching journey, needing some emotional space from her family. Meanwhile, Ryan had to play the waiting game and patiently hold the fort until she was ready to come back. Fans wondered if there was more to it than just a temporary hiatus.

In an attempt to quell the growing speculation, Ryan posted again later that same day. ‘Trista is doing well. We’re doing well. We are great”he reassured the fans.

Trista is in a place in life where she is a bit searching. An opportunity arose that could help her in that quest. With the support of her family, she took over. Part of that process is that she is temporarily inaccessible to us. I miss her. We miss her.

Check out his message below:

It was clear that Trista had chosen to distance herself, although the precise nature of her ‘quest’ was still unclear. Was she busy with herself, taking a break or perhaps filming a reality show? Some fans even speculated that she might participate in a competition Special Forceswhich would explain her absence.

Still, Ryan’s other message indicated there was no need to panic, at least from his perspective. ‘I’ll be here to love you…I’ll be here…forever,he wrote, with a reassuring promise of support.

Yet not everyone fell for it. As Ryan’s followers showed their support, it quickly became clear that the Sutters’ situation had more layers than just an onion: tear-jerking and complex. So, where do things stand now? The reality is that no one can say for sure, except Trista and Ryan themselves.

Trista Sutter is setting the record straight about her marriage to Ryan Sutter and divorce rumors

When you’re a reality TV star with millions of eyes on you, the slightest hiccup can start the rumor mill. Trista Sutter knows this all too well. Earlier this year, cryptic social media posts from her husband Ryan Sutter caused fans to jump to conclusions, with speculation swirling that their 21-year marriage was on the rocks or, worse, that something far more tragic had happened.

But no, they didn’t break up. And no, there is no divorce in sight. But she did provide some insight into why Ryan’s posts had people concerned, because as she reveals, life behind the scenes isn’t always as polished as it seems.

On November 15, Trista took to Instagram to clear up the confusion and revealed the truth behind her mysterious absence from her family in May. As it turns out, it wasn’t a divorce, a nervous breakdown, or any of the other crisis scenarios fans had imagined. Instead, she was tackling a different kind of challenge: Special Forces: The World’s Toughest Testseason 3.

“Was it a divorce/mental breakdown/midlife crisis/death/divorce in May?! Unless you call that Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, Season 3!” Trista joked in the post. She added:

Luckily, none of these things have to do with my experience filming the show, but as you can glimpse in the trailer, the angel on my shoulder has had to endure some pretty big battles.

The trailer for the upcoming season hints at intense challenges for Trista, but she assured fans that everything is going well at home. “You will have to tune in in January to see the battles take place, but for now I am so grateful to be a part of this epic adventure,” she wrote. Her post came after Ryan had to clarify some of his own cryptic messages from May, leaving fans wondering if the couple was in trouble.

As we discussed, Ryan had shared a series of vague updates, leading fans to speculate that Trista was going through a personal crisis or that their marriage had hit a major snag. He later took to social media to clear the air, explaining that Trista simply “to search‘ for something in her life, and with his full support, she had begun a journey of personal growth.

Trista addressed the situation with her own Instagram post on May 26, where she shared family photos and humorously joked: “Gosh people. Can’t a girl here have a nervous breakdown/trial separation/midlife crisis/death/divorce in peace?!” Reassuring her followers, she explained that she was taking a step back for personal reflection, with the support of her loved ones.

In all seriousness, to those involved: I am safe and sound, happy and healthy, in love and grateful.

Despite all the speculation, Trista stepped in to support Ryan and remind everyone that he didn’t owe anyone an explanation for his social media musings. She wrote:

He doesn’t owe anyone any explanations and doesn’t need anyone’s permission to post what he wants to post and share what he wants to share.

Trista also teased that she would share more of her story when the time was right, writing:

If you want to know the rest of the story, I will share it in due time.

As it stands, Trista and Ryan are doing just fine: no crisis, no drama, just a couple navigating life like anyone else.

Ryan Sutter talks about cryptic posts and setbacks

Ryan Sutter, for his part, commented on this The most dramatic podcast ever with Chris Harrison that his original intention with the messages was to document the time between messages so that his wife could see them later. “It just blew up in my face and backfired,he admitted, though he added that it was nice to know people still cared after all these years.

It felt good to be noticed and it inspired me to do a better job of paying attention to others when they are doing good or when they need help. In the end, as with most things, everything turned out fine.

Well, it looks like the mystery has finally been solved: Trista and Ryan Sutter are still very much together and not headed for a breakup. Fans can finally exhale. But as for the drama surrounding it Special Forces? That’s a whole new ball game.

Trista is about to face some serious challenges in season 3 of Special Forces: The World’s Toughest Testpremieres January 8, 2025 at 8:00 PM ET on Fox.