Bachelorette Michelle Young SPLITS with fiancé Nayte Olukoya & admits she’s ‘deeply hurting’ after ‘heavy’ decision
BACHELORETTE Michelle Young and her fiancé, Nayte Olukoya, split less than a year after getting engaged.
Michelle, 29, announced the breakup via her Instagram Stories.
"Having a relationship in the public eye is not easy," Michelle began her announcement.
She continued: "... 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 of our hearts as this relationship has been very real for us."
The TV personality referred to Nayte as her "best friend" and said: "... the love I have for you is incredibly strong."
The Bachelorette alum added: "I will always acknowledge and appreciate the adventures, support and growth both Nayte and this experience have brought me.
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"At the same time, I'm deeply hurting and will need time and space to work through this heartbreak."
Nayte, 27, also shared his statement on social media: "... 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..."
All this comes after friends of the couple speculated their relationship wouldn't exactly last.
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In December, The Sun exclusively reported that while the pair were "still together and happy," Michelle's pals believed it was all an "act."
'THEY SEE RED FLAGS'
The insider shared at the time: "Their close circle is trying to stay positive but they don't see this continuing once they finally wake up from this dream.
"Michelle is a lot more mature than Nayte and that's led to some issues already but it will most likely lead to much bigger issues in the future."
The source added: "They see red flags that Michelle refuses to see and she most likely won't ever see it until they break up."
'WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS'
However, months later, Michelle hit back at split rumors after being spotted without her engagement ring.
She said on social media: "... There is a video circulating of me on a rooftop this weekend, and I'm not wearing my engagement ring.
"What I will have to say is to the person who is paying close enough attention to catch that moment, you also had to be paying close enough attention to see one of my good friends briefly remove my engagement ring to try it on and then place it back on my finger."
The star noted: "Just a friendly reminder that Nayte and I, we are human beings, not a zoo exhibit. Not to mention, videoing somebody without them knowing is creepy! It's not cool."
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Michelle accepted a proposal from Nayte on December 21, 2021, during the Bachelorette season finale.
Following the finale, the two appeared on Good Morning America to discuss their relationship.
Michelle said during the appearance: "We're still kind of on an emotional high and excited and everything, but this has been crazy.
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"I never thought I'd be in a situation where I'd be in love with two different people, but this position that you put yourself in, that's something that's very likely to happen..."
Michelle and Nayte were expected to have a wedding in the summer.
