Kaitlyn Bristowe opens up about thinking she was asexual: 'I genuinely was worried about myself'

Kaitlyn Bristowe is getting candid about her sexual identity.

In an episode of her podcast "Off The Vine" released earlier this week, the Alberta-born former "Bachelorette" star discussed previous comments she had made, where she admitted that she once thought she was asexual.

"I was genuinely worried about myself," Bristowe told Tuesday's guest Brandi Cyrus about her own confusion surrounding her sexuality near the end of her relationship with former fiancé Jason Tartick.

Bristowe and Tartick, who appeared on a separate season of "The Bachelorette," ended their relationship in July 2023 after four years together.

"I was like, 'I have really wacky hormones, I'm not happy in my relationship, I'm on antidepressants,' like, perfect storm to have no sex drive,” Bristowe told the DJ. "But what if I am asexual? Because I wasn't interested in dating someone else, and then I was like, 'Maybe I want to date a woman.' I went through all of these different thoughts.

"I think I can appreciate — I can totally be turned on by a woman. But at the end of the day I see myself with a guy," Bristowe said.

What does it mean to be asexual?

Asexuality is a sexual orientation characterized by a lack of sexual attraction towards anyone, regardless of gender. It's a spectrum that includes various experiences and identities, including gray-sexuality, where individuals may experience sexual attraction under very specific circumstances.

Asexuality is not about celibacy or abstinence, which are choices, but rather about fundamental feelings of attraction. People who are asexual can still be sexually active, even if they don't feel sexual attraction.

"I think I can appreciate — I can totally be turned on by a woman. But at the end of the day I see myself with a guy," Bristowe said.

Online reaction to Bristowe's comments about asexuality

Bristowe’s candid remarks about her sexuality made headlines and prompted unwelcome speculation and jokes online.

"[It's] not something for everyone to laugh at. I can make fun of my own sexuality but nobody else can," told Cyrus.

One comment that seemingly poked fun at Bristowe's admission came from former "Bachelor" Nick Viall, who also appeared as a contestant on Bristowe's season as "Bachelorette." The now 43-year-old was one of two men left vying for the final rose, however Bristowe ultimately chose ex-fiancé Shawn Booth.

Viall, who is friend's with Tartick, left a comment on a shirtless photo of Tartick on Instagram.

"Nothing asexual about this," Viall wrote.

In response to Viall's comment, Bristowe took to Instagram with a set of selfies from her vacation in Maui, Hawaii, with the pointed caption: "Aloha to everyone except for people who make fun of my sexuality for likes. Having a libido expert on the pod soon."

Bristowe told Cyrus that she finds it hard post-breakup to meet new people and feel some sense of attraction.

"It is so hard out there to find somebody to actually make you feel something and be like, 'Okay, I'm interested. He's got my attention, I'm turned on.' Like, why is it so hard to find that? It's crazy," she said.

Last year, Bristowe addressed her breakup with Tartick on her podcast.

"I’ve never respected someone more through a breakup than I do with Jason. I think people assume if people break up, something bad happened. And I think that’s the hardest part of this whole breakup — nothing bad happened. It’s just been over time. We have both not made each other a priority," she said. "It's sad. We are both so sad. You know, you think you're gonna spend your life with somebody ... we're grieving a loss."

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