Even if this seems like a moot (not moo) point given the happy engagement of Tayshia Adams and Zac Clark, this season’s Bachelorette finale still caused a bit of narrative confusion thanks to one particular breakup: Adams and hunky rocket scientist Ivan Hall, whom she dumped prior to solidifying her decision to hail taxis with Clark forever. During their breakup, Adams hinted that they didn’t align on religious views, a topic they never discussed on-air prior to this moment. (Adams had previously commented to Hall’s father, though, that “maybe God was testing me” with her divorce, and she often quotes Scripture on her Instagram page.) Hall accepted the breakup without issue or tears, which fueled the moment’s oddness even further. And now we have an answer as to why: Asked by franchise alum Calia Quinn on Instagram about it, Hall confirmed that he doesn’t abide by the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, a choice that’s a dealbreaker for Adams. “She only wants to date a Christian, and I’m not religious,” he responded. “I’m open to and have dated any religion.” Hall also said that he’ll “dive into it” further on Kaitlyn Bristowe’s next podcast episode, which will likely drop tomorrow.
Update, 6 p.m.: Sensing that a Christmas Eve podcast drop would be too long of a wait (although oddly appropriate given the subject), Kaitlyn Bristowe released her episode with Ivan Hall one day early, with the duo discussing these lingering religion questions. Hall, who is agnostic, said Adams rarely brought up religion in the weeks leading up to her “fantasy suite” dates, and the topic was broached during their RV night. “I explained to Tayshia, Listen, I’m agnostic. A lot of people confuse it with being atheist. Atheist is not what I am. Atheist is taking a hard stance that there is no god, and that’s not what I believe at all,” Hall explained. “For Tayshia it’s something different. She wanted to date someone who is Christian. That’s completely fine and that’s how a lot of people are. It does suck that probably you could’ve just eliminated ‘x’ amount of people in the beginning off of that. It is what it is and I don’t blame her for it, because it’s a hard topic to get to.”
Hall insisted that he would’ve been “completely fine” with Adams taking their children to church every week, as his “main focus is the morals and values that you have, that’s what’s most important to me.” He also admitted that he “didn’t even know if Tayshia knew” what an interfaith relationship was, as she acted confused when Hall stated that’s what their family would be like. Consider this heathen to be our next, next Bachelor frontrunner.
