Rachel Lindsay speaks out on 'difficult time' after Bryan Abasolo files for divorce
After four years of marriage, "The Bachelorette" star Rachel Lindsay and husband Bryan Abasolo are heading for divorce.
Abasolo filed for divorce from the reality television star at the Los Angeles County Superior Court on Tuesday, according to court documents obtained by USA TODAY. The former couple has been separated since Sunday, the filing states.
Abasolo lists "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for his split from Lindsay.
"After more than 4 years of marriage, Rachel and I have made the difficult decision to part ways and start anew," Abasolo said in a statement posted to his Instagram page Tuesday. "Sometimes loving yourself and your partner means you must let go."
USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Abasolo and Lindsay for comment.
Rachel Lindsay speaks out after Abasolo files for divorce: 'A difficult time'
Lindsay got emotional as she spoke publicly about the divorce for the first time in Friday's episode of her "Higher Learning" podcast, which she co-hosts with Van Lathan.
“I didn’t think I would get emotional," Lindsay said as she fought back tears. "First off, I just want to say thank you for people who reached out. I’m still trying to reply to people. You just never know how great your circle is until you see all the people that reach out and love you."
She continued, "Obviously, it’s a difficult time, if you’ve read the headlines, and you’re probably wondering why I would even work. But to be honest with you, I need to distract myself from myself and the best way to do that is to do something that I love and I love 'Higher Learning.'"
"I'm going to try my best to get through this podcast. But I'm not going to talk about it. I will eventually, but now is not that time," Lindsay said. "Just trying to take it day by day."
Bryan Abasolo seeks spousal support and ownership of shared properties, according to court filing
Lindsay's estranged husband is also seeking spousal support, according to the divorce petition, though an amount is not specified in the filing. Additionally, Abasolo requested to terminate the court's ability to reward spousal support to Lindsay.
Aside from spousal support, Abasolo is seeking ownership rights for his shared properties with Lindsay, which include a residence in North Hollywood, a Los Angeles neighborhood located in the San Fernando Valley.
The couple did not have any children during their marriage. The filing does not indicate that Abasolo and Lindsay have a prenuptial agreement on how their assets should be divided.
After competing on Season 21 of "The Bachelor," Lindsay became the first-ever Black lead on any iteration of "The Bachelor" franchise when she starred as the "Bachelorette" in 2017. Lindsay, an attorney and author, has since become a fixture in the entertainment news industry, hosting the popular "Higher Learning" podcast. She recently left her correspondent position at the entertainment news show "Extra."
Lindsay chose Abasolo, a chiropractor, as the recipient of her final rose and accepted his proposal, eventually marrying in August 2019.
"My entire reason for doing 'The Bachelorette,' and I was lucky that it worked out for me in the most beautiful way in finding Bryan, is that I wanted to be representative as a Black woman to this audience," Lindsay reflected on the "Higher Learning" podcast in 2021. "And I wanted to pave the way for more people to have this opportunity."
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Rachel Lindsay's friend says she 'will have a lot to say' on Bryan Abasolo divorce
Lindsay's friend, TV host Justin Sylvester, gave an update on how the media personality was coping in the aftermath of her divorce from Abasolo.
"I talked to her this morning," Sylvester told "Today" hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager Wednesday. "She's just trying to pick up the pieces. She's in survival mode. And the weird thing is she's super private about her personal life, and it was weird and kind of telling he put out a solo statement."
Sylvester added that he suspects Lindsay will open up about the divorce in her own time.
"If everybody just gives her her privacy right now, I know that when she's ready to talk, she will have a lot to say," Sylvester said.
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Contributing: Anna Kaufman, KiMi Robinson and Rasha Ali, USA TODAY; The Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Bachelorette' star Rachel Lindsay, Bryan Abasolo to divorce
