ABC's reality dating shows may not provide the most realistic dating expectations, but they do make for great television. The Bachelor [2] franchise just launched its latest series, The Proposal [3], and we're already hooked. The show is hosted by Bachelor alum and former pro football player Jesse Palmer (best known to Bachelor fans for forgetting a woman's name during a rose ceremony), and he accurately describes the show [4] as a "soulmate pageant." If you haven't watched the premiere yet, then you haven't yet met The Proposal's first match, Mike and Monica.
The Proposal takes a bachelor or bachelorette and hides them from view while he or she is introduced to 10 contestants. The contestants (or potential "soulmates") attempt to woo the mystery chooser through a series of performances and Q&A segments, and contestants are eliminated each round until the final reveal. On the series premiere, we were introduced to bachelor Mike Rowe, a police officer from Bakersfield, CA. Mike finally narrowed down the contestants to Orange Country real estate agent, Monica Villalobos, and — to our great delight — Mike decided to propose [5]. Not your typical courtship, but did their connection last beyond the episode's filming?
We're pleased to announce that yes, Mike and Monica are still happily engaged. The Proposal's official Twitter account confirmed their relationship soon after the episode aired.
Congrats to Mike and Monica! And, for those wondering...they are still a couple! Excited for them to explore life after #TheProposal [6]. pic.twitter.com/qog4gdXby3 [7]
— The Proposal (@TheProposalTV) June 19, 2018 [8]
ABC must have anticipated our scepticism, because they even had the couple record a confirmation video of their own for fans to watch.
Mike and Monica even recorded a short video for us to let us know how they're doing! It may have been unconventional, but we hope #TheProposal [9] was just the beginning of their love story. pic.twitter.com/XSRP8bvXsu [10]
— The Proposal (@TheProposalTV) June 19, 2018 [11]
The pair took to Access Hollywood to discuss their relationship, and if we weren't before, we can now confidently say that we are true believers in reality show love.
#NBD just hanging out with Rashad Jennings on Access Hollywood. .. .. .. #theproposal #engaged #abc #bachelor #bachelorette #bachelornation [12]
We can only hope that The Proposal's next contestants have as much luck as Mike and Monica!