Dean Bell may have traded roses for road trips, but the former Bachelor Nation star isn’t ruling out a return to reality television anytime soon. Bell, who recently partnered with Chevron to encourage Americans to hit the road this summer, opened up to The Blast about life after reality TV, his evolving definition of success, and why he’d jump at the right opportunity that came along. While discussing his upcoming travel plans and his passion for exploring new destinations, Dean Bell revealed that despite stepping away from the reality TV spotlight, he still has plenty of interest in returning to the genre.
Dean Bell Says He’d Return To Reality TV ‘100%’
When asked whether he would consider joining another reality show if a producer called tomorrow, Bell didn’t hesitate. “100%,” he told The Blast.
Although Bell admitted he doesn’t spend much time watching reality television these days, there are a handful of programs that have caught his attention. One show in particular has become a frequent topic of conversation between Bell and his wife, fellow Bachelor Nation alum Caelynn Miller-Keyes. “Caelynn really wants us to go on ‘Extracted,'” Bell said with a laugh.
The survival competition series places one contestant in the wilderness while family members or loved ones help guide them from a remote headquarters. “I was like, ‘Yeah, of course you want to do that. You’re going to be in HQ in air conditioning and eating three square meals a day while I’m surviving in the middle of nowhere,'” he joked.
Bell also revealed that another fan-favorite reality competition show is firmly on his radar. “My buddy Wells [Adams] has been on ‘Traitors.’ ‘Traitors’ seems like it’d be really fun,” he said.
While no offers are currently on the table, Bell made it clear that he remains open to future opportunities. “There’s a lot of shows that I would instantly say yes to,” he said.
His Definition Of Success Has Changed Since Bachelor Nation
Bell first rose to fame through the Bachelor franchise, where success often seemed tied to popularity, public perception, and social media growth. Today, however, his outlook couldn’t be more different.
Looking back, Bell said he once viewed success through a much narrower lens. “When I went into reality TV, success was very clear-cut,” he explained. “Popularity, finances, love life, all those types of things.”
Over time, his priorities shifted. “As long as I have people in my life that love me and I love them back, that’s success to me,” Bell said.
The reality star acknowledged that his current perspective comes from a place of gratitude, having found love, built a marriage, and created a life he genuinely enjoys. “I got lucky at the end of the day,” he admitted. “I fell in love, I got married, I moved to a place I love so much.”
Bell also shared one piece of advice he wishes he’d understood earlier in life: people aren’t paying nearly as much attention to your mistakes as you think they are. “I used to put a pretty big weight on what people thought,” he said. “People don’t care nearly as much as we make ourselves think that they do.”
A 20-Hour Road Trip Confirmed His Feelings For Caelynn
Travel has become one of the defining aspects of Bell and Miller-Keyes’ relationship, and according to Bell, one road trip in particular helped him realize what they had was special. The couple had been dating for less than a year when they embarked on a marathon 20-plus-hour drive together.
Bell, who admits he prefers being behind the wheel, handled nearly all of the driving. Somewhere around hour 16, he experienced a moment of clarity. “We hadn’t talked to each other for hours,” Bell recalled. “And I remember thinking, ‘This is really nice.'”
As a self-described introvert, Bell said he appreciated that neither of them felt pressure to constantly fill the silence with conversation. “A lot of times there’s forced conversation on those long road trips, and with her it was always really super easy,” he explained.
For Bell, the ability to simply enjoy each other’s company without effort became one of the earliest signs that their relationship was built to last.
The Couple Also Survived A Stressful Travel Nightmare
Not every travel memory has been quite so relaxing. Bell also recalled a particularly harrowing trip to St. Lucia that tested both of them in ways they hadn’t expected.
After renting a car and relying on GPS directions, the couple found themselves navigating a remote, poorly maintained mountain road deep in the jungle as heavy rain moved in. “We got stuck for a second in the jungles of St. Lucia,” Bell said.
At the time, they were still miles away from their hotel with few signs of civilization nearby. While Miller-Keyes feared the worst, Bell focused on finding a solution. Eventually, the pair made it safely to their destination, but the experience left a lasting impression. “It was funny to see how both of us handled that high-stress situation,” Bell said.
Looking back, he believes the ordeal strengthened their confidence in each other. “I think we both looked at each other and thought, ‘Okay, we got this.'”
Road Trips Remain A Major Part Of Bell’s Life
These days, Bell is channeling his love of travel into a new partnership with Chevron as millions of Americans prepare for summer road trips. Bell said he’s always been meticulous about vehicle maintenance and likes knowing his car is performing at its best before setting off on a long journey. “I’m kind of a bit of a car nut,” he said.
As for his own upcoming adventure, Bell is preparing to travel from Colorado to California to climb Mount Whitney and has already mapped out fuel stops, meal breaks, and overnight camping locations. His biggest piece of advice for travelers? Plan ahead.
“I think it’s important to understand where you’re going to stop, where you’re going to get lunch, where you’re going to fill up on fuel,” Bell said.
Even with plenty of destinations already under his belt, Bell’s bucket list continues to grow. Among the places he and Miller-Keyes still hope to explore are New Zealand, Alaska, and an ambitious van trip across Europe.
And if a reality TV producer happens to call while he’s on the road? It sounds like Bell will be ready to answer.