Bachelor Nation’s Clayton Echard is in the spotlight again. But this time, it’s because he’s the subject of the No. 1 podcast series on Apple, called Love Trapped.
Following his Season 26 run as the Bachelor in 2022, the 32-year-old Missouri native found himself involved in a “paternity nightmare” that spiraled into a months-long legal and media firestorm.
🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬
The other party involved is a woman named Laura Owens; she’s the 35-year-old daughter of famous former Bay Area radio personality Ronn Owens. The gist is this: After a one-night stand in May 2023, Laura claimed Clayton got her pregnant with twins, with Clayton denying paternity.
The charges stem from a paternity suit Owens filed in August 2023, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Prosecutors allege the Laura’s pregnancy was fabricated so that she could pursue child support and a relationship with Clayton.
When the scandal became public news, no one believed Clayton, because he was, after all, the most hated Bachelor in America after “gaslighting” and “manipulating,” according to fans, the final three women in his reality dating show orbit.
Over the course of 10 episodes, however, host Stephani Young might just change minds, as she investigates the case’s claims of deception, pregnancy fraud, and digital harassment, giving listeners access to original audio recordings, emails, and insights from lawyers, family, and other victims. There’s even a livestream courtroom showdown included.
“At its core, this is a story about who you believe and why,” the iHeart True Crime synopsis reads. “It’s an epic battle that would take a group of strangers, citizen sleuths from across the world, to crack the case and finally hold someone accountable.”
The series just dropped Episode 8, with new episodes released every Thursday. With fans calling it “captivating,” “insane,” and “addictive,” this true-crime deep dive might just be the best thing since The Curious Case of Natalia Grace.
Related: ‘Wednesday’ Star Jenna Ortega Sparks Backlash Over Rumored Boyfriend — Here’s What We Know
