The couple, who got engaged on The Bachelorette finale in December, announced their breakup Friday on Instagram. Read their statements here:
She said that, ultimately, having a relationship"in the public eye" was not"easy" for her and the sales executive."When we both started this journey, we were looking for our Soulmates. Our forever. Our best friends," he recalled."However, as we grow and learn, we also realize that sometimes somebody that you hold dear to your heart isn't somebody that you're meant to spend the rest of your life with.
He said the split is weighing on him emotionally, writing,"Hearts are heavy, emotions are high, and we are dealing with this the best way we can... 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."
In the midst of his"heartbreak," the reality star asked fans for privacy as they get through the"difficult" time. that the two called it quits. Last month, Michelle addressed a video that spread online, which showed her without her engagement ring, by saying that one of her friends"briefly" removed it to try it on. She added that it was"creepy" to see the video surface because they're not a"zoo exhibit.