Trista Sutter was allegedly filming the reality TV show “Special Forces” when her husband, Ryan Sutter, was posting cryptic messages about her whereabouts.
The first “Bachelorette” lead has been raising eyebrows over the last few months with her public absence, but TMZ reported Tuesday that she was not “missing” but was instead filming Season 3 of Fox’s hit show, “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.”
The outlet also reported that former “Bachelorette” fan favorite Ali Manno will be joining her on the upcoming season.
A rep for Fox didn’t confirm the report, as they do not comment on casting prior to the formal announcement, and a rep for Trista didn’t return our request for comment.
Fox has yet to announce a premiere date for the intense show, nor have they shared when they’ll release the cast.
The first two seasons of the TV show centered around a group of celebrities competing in similar tests as to those trying to qualify for the US military’s Special Forces. Former contestants include JoJo Siwa, Mel B and Tom Sandoval, among others.
While Trista, 51, has also yet to confirm if she was on the new show, some of the statements she and Ryan, 49, released over the last month could make more sense.
“An opportunity for perspective and personal growth presented itself and with the unconditional support of my family and friends, I chose myself and betterment, knowing that my stay-at-home-mom job and my kids end-of-the-school-year needs were in the best, most capable hands,” Trista wrote in her return post to Instagram on May 25.
Trista explained that her husband had simply “decided to share his love for me in messages that would find me in my travels” like a “digital diary,” but it resulted in people thinking they were “cryptic/confusing/attention-seeking/dramatic” messages.
“To me, they gave me exactly what my Words of Affirmation love language needed to get me through some serious self doubt and fear…and that’s all that matters. He doesn’t owe anyone any explanation or require permission to post what he wants to post and share what he wants to share. 💯,” she continued.
Ryan sent Bachelor Nation in a frenzy last month after he posted a vague caption about Trista not being with him and their two children to celebrate Mother’s Day on May 12.
“Sometimes you have to go away so they know you’ll come back, that your love is not limited by distance or difficulty or time. Sometimes you have to do what you sometimes have to do. We’re proud of you mama pajama for everything you do for us, near or far, Happy Mother’s Day!!!” he wrote in part.
Just a few days later, Ryan shared a black-and-white selfie of the two of them and explained how he “really wish[ed] I could talk” to her.
“I’d really like to hear your voice – just for a minute. So many times I’ve called without much to say, not realizing how lucky I was or how much I’d miss the opportunity if it were gone. I want to know how you’re doing. I want to support and encourage and cheer you on. I want to be there for you. But I can’t. And that’s ok cause I know you need this time – time to discover yourself again,” he captioned the post on May 17.
Shortly after the post received hundreds of comments from fans concerned about her whereabouts and their marriage, Ryan clarified in another post that his wife is “fine” and their marriage is “great.”
“Trista is at a place in life where she is searching a bit. An opportunity presented itself that may help her on that quest. With her family’s support, she has taken it. Part of that process means that she is temporarily inaccessible to us,” he shared on May 18.
Trista eventually returned to Instagram on May 25 when she shared photos from a family vacation to Mexico. The following day, Ryan expressed how he is “more grateful, more sympathetic, more appreciative” for her following her “absence.”
The reality TV show couple later wrote the same message and explained that they were not trying to be “malicious or misguided or mean,” and were just trying to “do our best” with their social media posts
Trista and Ryan –– the longest-running Bachelor Nation couple –– tied the knot in 2003 after the first season of “The Bachelorette.”
