BACHELORETTE Michelle Young has shared heartbreaking news as rumors circulate that she split from her fiancé Natye Olukoya.
On Tuesday’s installment of her Bachelor Happy Hour podcast, Michelle opened up about her plans for the future.
The 28-year-old began the episode by sharing her grief over the horrific Uvalde, Texas, elementary school shooting that occurred last week.
Michelle, an elementary school teacher, emotionally revealed her plans to take a break from the classroom to her listeners.
“There’s so much going on with our education system and I really feel that, you know, as I move into this next year, I have decided to step out of the classroom,” she tearfully confessed.
“Because I need to make sure that one, I’m taking care of myself, but two, those teachers and those who are in the profession know that teaching is a profession that is completely built on passion.”
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She continued: “The difficult part of that and the realistic side of that is that when it’s built on passion, if those people that are in those foundations are not valued, if they’re not supported if they’re not taken care of, they’re not listened to, that foundation starts to crack.
“And I think you can talk to pretty much any teacher, and they will tell you that these last two years have been really difficult with the pandemic, and even before the pandemic, the foundation was already starting to crack.”
Michelle detailed her decision and desire to make “changes” in the education system by using her reality TV platform.
“Education is something incredibly close to my heart; being in the classroom and working with students is incredibly close to my heart, and it’s something that I am passionate about.
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“But with this cracked foundation, I see myself moving forward outside the classroom, giving back, raising awareness for teachers, and truly really moving and putting my energy and efforts with my platform towards being able to push for these types of changes. Because being in the classroom right now isn’t the way to do that for me.”
Additionally, she spoke out about feeling “burnt out” and wanting to step away from teaching “for a year” to focus on her other passions.
SPLIT RUMORS
Michelle has had a big year, after her on-air proposal to Nayte, 27, during the Season 25 finale of The Bachelorette.
The reality star took to her Instagram Stories to address breakup rumors on Monday after she was spotted without her engagement ring over the weekend.
She said in a video: “Okay, I typically don’t come on here and address these types of things, but because I received so many messages about it…
“There is a video circulating of me on a rooftop this weekend, and I’m not wearing my engagement ring and what I will have to say is to the person who is paying close enough attention to catch that moment, you also had to be paying close enough attention to see one of my good friends briefly remove my engagement ring to try it on and then place it back on my finger.
“Just a friendly reminder that Nayte and I, we are human beings, not a zoo exhibit. Not to mention, videoing somebody without them knowing is creepy! It’s not cool,” she concluded.
A Reddit user posted the video of Michelle not sporting her diamond sparkler as the clip zoomed in on her bare ring finger.
Fans supported the TV star in the comments as one wrote: “Her friend is trying it on in this video. Chill y’all.”
Another remarked: “LEAVE HER ALONEE ALONE OMG.”
And a third showed their love for the couple, writing: “i hope its not true.”
Michelle’s inner circle has not always been a fan of Nayte after she chose him over Brandon Jones, 27, during the show’s finale.
‘RIDICULOUS’
A source told The Sun exclusively that while Michelle and Nayte are “still together and happy,” friends believe it’s an “act.”
According to the insider, her family also “doesn’t believe it will last.”
“They have an undeniable connection; no one is questioning that,” the source said of Nayte.
They continued: “But it’s like they’re in a constant honeymoon phase they can’t really get out of. Their relationship doesn’t really seem like an adult relationship.
“They’re like two teenagers running around thinking this is the one, but his family is very concerned.
“It’s nothing against Michelle, they think she’s great, but they don’t think Nayte is ready for marriage, not by a longshot.
“On top of that, they think this whole reality TV thing is ridiculous.”
Per the source, Michelle’s parents trust her but also “had doubts” and “expressed their own concern.”
The insider alleged: “Their close circle is trying to stay positive, but they don’t see this continuing once they finally wake up from this dream.
“Michelle is a lot more mature than Nayte, and that’s led to some issues already, but it will most likely lead to much bigger issues in the future.
“They see red flags that Michelle refuses to see, and she most likely won’t ever see it until they break up.”
AFTER THE ROSE
Following the finale, the pair appeared on Good Morning America to discuss their relationship.
Michelle said during the appearance: “We’re still kind of on an emotional high and excited and everything, but this has been crazy.
“I never thought I’d be in a situation where I’d be in love with two different people, but this position that you put yourself in, that’s something that’s very likely to happen.
“With Nayte, he’s the person I could not imagine living without, and the way we connected on so many different levels, it’s where my heart was guiding me, and I definitely made the right choice.”
Nayte confessed during the show that he had “never been in love” before but assured fans: “I feel very lucky that the first person I fell in love with is going to be the person I spend the rest of my life with.”
The happy couple are planning on a short engagement, hoping to tie the knot this summer.
