'Bachelor' Star Clayton Echard’s Alleged Pregnant Ex Files Paternity Lawsuit

Access Hollywood
·3 min read
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Former “Bachelor” Clayton Echard is reportedly facing legal drama.

A pregnant woman claiming she and the reality star were sexually involved has filed a lawsuit asking him to take a paternity test, according to documents obtained by multiple outlets including Page Six.

The papers reportedly claim that the unnamed woman, a 33-year-old podcaster from Arizona, is expecting twins in February 2024 after allegedly sleeping with Echard, 30, this past May.

THE BACHELOR – “2602” – Clayton moves forward in his journey to find love with the 22 incredible women who remain. After moving into the Bachelor Mansion for the first time since the pandemic began, these eligible singles are ready to kick off a week of dates! On the season’s first group date, celebrity guest Hilary Duff enlists the help of the ladies to throw a dream Beverly Hills birthday party, but when one woman is more interested in spending time with Clayton than the kids, the others have strong feelings to share. Later, one lucky lady flies high with Clayton on the first one-on-one date featuring a surprise musical performance by Amanda Jordan; and Ziwe stops by the second group date to help Clayton spot potential red flags among his bachelorettes. After the dates have all ended, a major storm brews heading into the cocktail party when a shocking secret about a woman who already has a rose is revealed. Will Clayton be forced to do something that no other Bachelor has ever done before? Find out on “The Bachelor,” airing MONDAY, JAN. 10 (8:00-10:01 p.m. EST), on ABC. (ABC/John Fleenor)<br>CLAYTON ECHARD

The woman is said to have included screenshots of “erratic, illogical and threatening” texts she claims are from Echard in which he allegedly doubted her story and refused to participate in any parental duties.

In addition, the lawsuit is said to state further allegations that the woman issued at least 50 paternity test requests to Echard in writing.

Echard denied the claims in a statement to The Sun, sharing that his response to the allegations is in the court documents and indicating that he wouldn’t be commenting further.

“I’m not giving it the time of day because it’s baseless. We did not have sexual intercourse,” he said, per the British tabloid.

According to Page Six, Echard claims in the docs that he believes the case is “lacking in merit” and alleges that he requested a court-ordered paternity tests to be financially covered by the woman.

The pair had a test scheduled in August for which the woman paid a $725 deposit but later canceled due to Echard’s alleged “unwillingness to participate,” the woman reportedly claims.

Per The Sun, a new test is set for Sept. 26 and the woman will go to court two days later for an early resolution conference.

Echard rose to fame in Bachelor Nation after appearing on Michelle Young’s season of “The Bachelorette” in 2021. He starred as “The Bachelor” for Season 26 the following year.