Sierra Jackson and Michael Allio ABC(2)
Healing at home Sierra Jackson detailed how she’s doing after her surprising exit from Bachelor in Paradise.
“Just know … I’m OK & well,” the BachelorThe 27-year-old alum wrote via her Instagram Story following Monday’s episode of ABC’s reality show. “At the time, I knew what I could/couldn’t handle mentally & emotionally. I had enough self awareness to recognize that staying on the beach wasn’t in my best interest. I didn’t see it playing out in a positive way, so I thought it best I go home.”
The Oklahoma native abruptly left the beach during Monday’s episode after Michael AllioShe told him that he simply wanted to be friends. The yoga instructor and his friend BacheloretteThe 38-year-old alum had been sexy since the series 8 premiere. However, the business owner was concerned that things were moving too fast. After his wife Laura died from cancer in 2019, Michael is now the single father to son James, 6.
“[Sierra] exhibits all of the characteristics that I’m looking for in a partner, but I’m noticing that every time I take a step forward, I start taking a few steps back because I’m guarded and I’m concerned based on my traumatic past finding its way to the surface,” Michael said during a confessional interview on Monday’s episode. “I’m dealing with the grief element in my life. There’s just this weird, weird thing that happens where I think I’ve found it, it feels good, and then I get in my head and I push people away. And I feel really bad about that.”
After Michael told Sierra that he wasn’t ready to move forward, the fitness guru decided to leave the show. “I just don’t want to date anyone else,” she explained. “I also don’t want to see him date other people.”
In her Instagram post, Sierra said she was “very confused & upset” when she left Mexico, but she “was able to gain clarity & understanding through time.” She also pointed out that time seems to move differently on BiP. “Some may think I came on strong but remember, you have one month … & a day feels like a week in paradise.”
She added that she took the potential responsibility of meeting Michael’s son very seriously as the child of a single mother herself. “When someone has a child, you MUST be accepting of the responsibility that holds & show up 100%,” Sierra wrote. “My mother was a single parent at a point in time & my oldest sister as well. I value time & never want to waste mine or someone else’s & when you go into things unsure or without communicating & thinking things through … you hurt others.”
Sierra repeated what she said in the episode about not wanting Michael to be present at the beach if he was interested in someone else. “I didn’t want to possibly get involved in a love triangle down the line & it would’ve been cruel to use another man as a rebound,” she continued. “I’m proud I didn’t hold back, I showed up as myself, & stayed true to my character by leaving. I believe that EVERYTHING happens for reasons and God was working all along the way. Blessings do come in disguises.”
In a tweet, the reality star asked fans to “respect” Michael’s choice to end their romance. “Michael is a grown man that will make decisions he feels are best for him & his family,” Sierra wrote on Monday, October 11. “His choices & feelings are valid & the vision he may have for his future is as well. Let’s respect that. Redirection is beautiful.”
Despite her emotional exit, BiP, Sierra was still able to joke about the moment, sharing a TikTok video after the episode with the caption, “Explaining to your girls he just wants to ‘be friends.’” In the clip, she lip-synced to a voiceover of someone saying, “You’re confused? I’m f–king confused, bro.”
Bachelor in ParadiseAirs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 PM on ABC. ET.
