The Bobby Bones Show: BOBBYCAST

Episode: Kaitlyn Bristowe on DWTS Trauma + Manifesting a Win By Sleeping with a Mirrorball + Being Labeled as a 'Polarizing Character' on the "Bachelor" + A Solution for Internet Trolls
Air Date: November 30, 2025
Host: Bobby Bones
Guest: Kaitlyn Bristowe

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt and candid episode, Bobby Bones sits down with Kaitlyn Bristowe—known for her runs on "The Bachelor," "The Bachelorette," and her victorious turn on "Dancing with the Stars" (DWTS). Together, they unpack the emotional intensity and lasting impact of reality television, share war stories from their time on DWTS, and discuss the challenges of public perception, internet trolls, and self-worth. The episode is rich with vulnerability, laughter, and strikingly honest reflections on fame, performance, trauma, and the pursuit of self-acceptance.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Meeting Each Other and Setting the Stage

• Bobby and Kaitlyn joke about not remembering the times they've "met," leading to a warm rapport for an honest conversation about reality TV trauma.
  • (05:05) Bobby: "I want to talk about Dancing with the Stars, of course...one of the greatest experiences of my life."
  • (06:00) Kaitlyn: "We’ve come into contact, I would have felt like a real dick if you’d have been like we had an hour..."

2. The Emotional Toll of DWTS: Trauma, Validation, and Aftermath

• Both share stories of DWTS as an unexpectedly grueling, all-encompassing experience, mentally and physically.
  • Kaitlyn notes the need for constant validation, and the crash when the show ends.
    • (09:38) Kaitlyn: "I didn’t realize during filming how much I needed all this validation all the time…and then it’s just all done."
  • Bobby recounts the emotional impact of being named the “most surprising win” by host Tom Bergeron—hurting more because he respected Tom.
    • (08:07) Bobby: "When he did that, it hurt my feelings so much. Hurt your feelings because you love him."

3. The Path to DWTS: Obstacles and Manifestation

• Kaitlyn details her years-long struggle to finally join DWTS, despite having a dance background and a professional ballerina mother. She was initially denied by "The Bachelor" creator, and only got her shot years later, during COVID.
  • (25:40) Kaitlyn: "I quit dancing at 25 because I wasn’t good enough...I felt like I failed...I would hold a fake mirrorball when I slept and manifest, I was crazy."
• Kaitlyn’s win felt redemptive, finally getting to achieve her dream after being denied.
  • (25:42) Kaitlyn: "It meant everything to me."

4. The Harshness of Internet Trolls and Toxic Fandom

• Both discuss the unique toxicity of “hardcore fans,” and the ways algorithms amplify negativity.
  • (28:09) Bobby: "Mostly you see the bad because the algorithm puts out what gets engagement…and you know what gets engagement? People saying negative things."
  • (31:45) Kaitlyn (on haters): "You just almost want to punch them in the face...that’s a show right there—to go out and find people who are trolls and then make them do what you do."

5. Mental Health: Pressure, Vulnerability, & Therapy

• Mental health struggles from the reality TV grind are explored; Kaitlyn and Bobby trade stories about therapy, self-awareness, and performance-based worth.
  • (47:04) Kaitlyn: "My worth really came from performance and dance and how I looked and how I came across—not like who I was inside."
  • (49:44) Bobby: "I'm excellent at performative vulnerability...it's all true, but if I'm doing it and I think I'm doing it for a larger reason..."

6. Navigating Labels: Being ‘Polarizing’ on The Bachelor

• Kaitlyn was painted as the “raunchy, sexualized, edgy Canadian with tattoos,” highlighting how editing crafts reality TV personas.
  • (36:43) Kaitlyn: "I was like the raunchy, sexualized, edgy Canadian with tattoos who swore a lot and talked about sex...that is a small part of me."
• She faced death threats and vicious internet backlash, but DWTS fans were more welcoming.
  • (69:52) Kaitlyn: "I was so hated as the Bachelorette that I got death threats...and I just got torn apart just for being myself..."

7. Pain and Perseverance: Injuries and Determination on DWTS

• Both competitors describe pushing through significant physical pain—Bobby with weekly arm injections after injuring himself, Kaitlyn with injuries and shooting up her ankles.
  • (21:44) Kaitlyn: "The doctor told me I should stop because I had tendonitis in both ankles, my ribs and everything, and I was like, yeah right."
  • (22:24) Bobby: "I tore my shoulder...I found a doctor, he shot me up every week...now it’s just sore if it rains."

8. Coping with Winning—and the Guilt of Success

• Bobby struggles with sending his mirrorball trophy back to the network, feeling the win is unfairly tainted. Kaitlyn says the trophy symbolizes hard work, and urges Bobby to take it back.
  • (29:45) Bobby: "That's the only thing I've ever done where I purposefully just tried hard...and then for people to go, 'We think you're less than'—that was my association with that trophy."
  • (74:40) Kaitlyn: "You did work so hard for that, and it doesn’t matter what people want to take away from you—they can’t take that away from you."

9. Family, Backgrounds, and What Drives Them

• Both reflect on their childhoods and what motivates them:
  • Bobby: Grew up in poverty, with addicted parents—he never drinks; his drive is rooted in insecurity and fear of being “less than.”
  • Kaitlyn: Her self-worth was tied to performing and being the best, even as her parents were loving.
  • (45:43) Bobby: "My whole career is based off of fear—fear of being seen."
  • (46:08) Kaitlyn: "My worth was always on performing and winning and being the best..."

10. Manifestation and Signs

• Kaitlyn shares about manifesting her DWTS win and meaningful “signs” (like blinking lights) she asks for from the universe—especially during hard times.
  • (71:53) Kaitlyn: "[In my lowest moment] I smelled my grandma...the lights went out in the bathroom...and that's my sign for guidance, blinking lights or flashing lights."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On DWTS Trauma (09:38) — Kaitlyn:
  "I didn’t realize during filming how much I needed all this validation all the time…and then it’s just all done."
• On Public Perception (08:07) — Bobby:
  "When he did that, it hurt my feelings so much. Hurt your feelings because you love him."
• On Being Denied DWTS (25:15) — Kaitlyn:
  "I'm really sick of people wanting fame after my show, and you can focus on your relationship that you just had from the show instead."
• On Perseverance (25:42) — Kaitlyn:
  "I would hold a fake mirrorball when I slept and manifest—I was crazy...it meant everything to me."
• On Toxic Fans (28:09) — Bobby:
  "The algorithm puts out what gets engagement and you know what gets engagement? People saying negative things."
• On Trophy Regret (29:00) — Bobby:
  "I sent the mirrorball back, I kind of regret it...someone reached out to me from the network and they said they would give it back if I want."
• On Labels & Editing (36:43) — Kaitlyn:
  "I was the raunchy, sexualized, edgy Canadian with tattoos who swore a lot and talked about sex...that is a small part of me."
• On Manifestation and Signs (71:53) — Kaitlyn:
  "I always ask for blinking lights or flashing lights as a sign...and I smelled my grandma, and the lights went out in the bathroom..."

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment / Topic | Timestamp | |------------------------------|---------------| | Introduction & transitions | 03:09–06:10 | | Meeting each other & rapport | 05:05–06:10 | | DWTS Trauma & Validation | 07:08–10:16 | | Being Approached for DWTS | 10:16–12:08 | | Mental & Physical Toll | 21:41–22:26 | | Path to DWTS for Kaitlyn | 22:35–25:42 | | COVID Season & Winning DWTS | 32:00–33:48 | | Online Trolls & Superfans | 27:42–31:45 | | Therapy & Self-worth | 45:22–52:26 | | DWTS Pro Superlatives | 18:57–20:56 | | Labels on The Bachelor | 36:43–37:20 | | Most Vulnerable Moments | 67:50–73:54 | | Signs & Manifestation | 71:49–73:54 | | Closing encouragements | 74:40–75:20 |

Episode Tone

The tone is warm, honest, and self-deprecating, with both Bobby and Kaitlyn openly discussing insecurities, setbacks, and triumphs. Humor and empathy are interwoven throughout, making space for both laughter and vulnerability.

Takeaway

This episode is a masterclass in honest conversation about the cost of chasing dreams in the public eye, the complexity of reality TV, and the enduring struggle to honor one's authentic self amid external pressures. For listeners who have only viewed these stars through the lens of curated entertainment, this episode reveals the human stories beneath the spectacle—and offers comfort to anyone navigating public criticism, self-doubt, or the search for meaning after the “win.”