For many years, The Bachelorette producers have been suspected of manufacturing conflict, but Aaron Erb's book is the most obvious example of producer manipulation in the history of the reality dating series, and proof that they only care about creating drama, and not their lead, Jenn Tran. Jenn, a 26-year-old physician assistant student originally from Hillsdale, New Jersey, but currently living in Boston, Massachusetts, is making history as the first-ever Asian American Bachelor franchise lead. However, instead of focusing on her journey, the producers chose to make episode 2 all about the petty drama between Aaron and Devin Strader.
During The Bachelorette season 21 episode 2 in Australia, Devin stole Jenn away to have some gelato during a group date that Aaron was also on. This upset Aaron greatly. That evening, Devin interrupted Aaron's one-on-one time with Jenn by wheeling a cart with ice cream into the room. Aaron was furious, so he returned to interrupt Devin's time, who later came back to interrupt Aaron again. Later in the episode, Aaron called Devin a bully and gave him a book called Principles for Self-Growth: How to Understand Yourself and Gain Emotional Depth by Dr. Brandon O. Conner, which was the worst case of producer manipulation in Bachelorette history.
Aaron's Twin Brother Noah Erb Was Given A Book
Bennett Jordan Gave Noah A Similar Book During The Bachelorette Season 16
During The Bachelorette season 16, Noah Erb, who's Aaron's twin brother, was a latecomer to the cast in week 3, added to the contestants after Clare Crawley left the season, and Tayshia Adams took over for her. He was just 25 years old, and older men such as Bennett Jordan thought that he wasn't mature enough to get engaged to Tayshia. Bennett eventually gave Noah a box full of gifts, including a red bandanna, a pair of socks with mustaches on them which mocked Noah's mustache, and a book called On Emotional Intelligence.
Bennett informed Noah that there were four components of emotional intelligence--self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. He thought that Noah was deficient in all of the categories except for self-management. Noah called Bennett's gifts fake, but Bennett insisted that he wasn't talking down to him. He told him that he didn't have emotional intelligence at his age. Bennett informed him that the book would be very helpful, but Noah wasn't impressed. Bennett said, "I'm not trying to belittle you. I'm literally trying to love you up." He also informed Noah that he didn't think he'd ever end up with Tayshia.
Aaron's Book Was Almost Identical To Bennett's
Aaron Even Used The Same Type Of Language As Bennett
When Aaron asked Devin if he could speak with him, he mistakenly called him "Dylan" for the second time, which frustrated Devin. Devin asked Aaron how he could question his character when he didn't even know his name. This was strange because one would think Aaron would know the name of the man who was causing him so much grief. Aaron told him, "Now when I said I feel like you lack the depth to be with a girl like Jenn, I meant that out of a place of love." This was similar to Bennett's comment to Noah about trying to "love you up."
When Aaron gave Devin his book, Principles for Self-Growth, he said that he brought the book with him and it was his own. He said that he read it a few times, and it helped him grow as a person. Aaron told Devin, "I just want to see you do your best. That's it. I'm trying to give a different perspective. I wish you the best. Be careful how you handle yourself."
It's shocking that Aaron would do the exact same thing to someone else that bothered his brother, Noah, so much. However, it's not so surprising if it's looked at as an act of producer manipulation. What was extremely odd was that Noah's experience with receiving a book from Bennett wasn't even referenced on the show at all.
Aaron's Book Doesn't Seem To Exist Outside Of The Show
The Misprint On The Spine Gives Away Its Fakeness
One of the most glaring pieces of evidence that the producers gave Aaron the book to give to Devin is the fact that Principles for Self-Growth by Dr. Brandon O. Conner doesn't appear to exist outside of the show on any website anywhere. The author also doesn't seem to exist. In addition, the book's spine has an obvious misprint, as it says, "Priciples for Self-Growth," which is very suspicious.
The book seems to be completely fake, which could mean that the producers created it for Aaron to give to Devin not only to create drama, but also to hearken back to Bennett and Noah's confrontation about a book. It seems very convenient that the twin brother of a man who received a book on The Bachelorette years ago would then give a book to someone else. The producers seem to have had a hand in Aaron's decision to give Devin the book.
The Bachelorette producers will stop at nothing to create drama. However, Aaron's book is perhaps the most obvious producer manipulation in the history of the show. It proves that the producers don't really care about Jenn and telling her love story. Instead, they'd rather focus on unnecessary drama between Aaron and Devin. The fact that Aaron's twin brother Noah was in a similar storyline only four years ago can't be a coincidence, and it's very weird that it wasn't mentioned. It's a shame that the Bachelorette producers never learn from their past mistakes.
