Former Bachelor contestant Susie Evans has come to realize the importance of setting boundaries in her relationship with Justin Glaze, especially when it comes to sharing intimate details with the public.

After nearly eight months of dating, Evans has taken a step back to reevaluate how much she wants to share about her romance with Glaze, a fellow reality TV star. In an interview, Evans explained that she’s learned to prioritize her privacy and peace of mind over appeasing the public’s curiosity.

“You have to find a balance between sharing your life with the world and protecting your relationship,” Evans, 30, said. “I’ve realized that it’s better to set boundaries and prioritize my own happiness than to try to please everyone else.”

Evans and Glaze, who was the runner-up on Katie Thurston’s season of The Bachelorette, initially connected over a vlog in the winter of 2022. Their romance blossomed in 2023, but they’ve since scaled back on sharing photos and updates about their relationship on social media.

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Some of the most enduring relationships in Hollywood began as friendships. Take Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello, for example, who went from collaborators to romantic partners. Similarly, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West started out as friends before taking their relationship to the next level. In fact, some of the strongest bonds in Tinseltown began on platonic terms. West and Kardashian, for instance, didn’t start dating until 2012, but they first crossed paths nearly a decade earlier. The power of friendship!

Evans, who appeared on season 26 of The Bachelor with Clayton Echard, has been working on setting boundaries and prioritizing her own needs in therapy. She believes it’s essential to establish and maintain healthy limits, especially in the public eye.

“I think that’s something really important for all of us,” she said. “It’s something I need to work on, especially with my job being so public.”

Before finding fame on The Bachelor, Evans enjoyed success in the beauty pageant circuit, earning the titles of Miss Virginia Teen USA 2011 and Miss Virginia USA 2020.

At the Miss USA 2024 pageant, Evans stunned in a Viero Bridal dress styled by Lisa Marie Cameron. She confessed that she initially found the fashion world overwhelming, but has since learned to dress for her body type and feel confident in her own skin.

“I feel like I’ve learned how to dress for my body type. I’ve learned what colors work for me, and it’s just been really empowering,” she said. “In life or in finding love, it’s just about being confident with who you are.”