Trista Sutter Says She Felt ‘Good’ About Ryan Sutter Divorce Rumors

Trista Sutter was not fazed by the rumors surrounding her and Ryan Sutter’s marriage while she was appearing on Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.

“Everyone is quick to assume the worst things,” Trista, 52, exclusively told Us Weekly while talking about her stint on Special Forces. “I think it’s human nature, honestly. I mean, I didn’t know what happened to the world. I’m like, ‘All of you have lost your minds.’ Sorry, but why the huge hubbub about this?”

After posting a series of cryptic social media posts in May 2024, Ryan, 50, sparked fan concern that he and Trista were on the rocks. After Ryan shared that Trista would not be spending Mother’s Day with their children, son Maxwell, 16, and daughter Blakesley, 15, rumors ramped up that there was trouble in paradise.

In actuality, Trista was away filming Special Forces and could not address the speculation surrounding their romance.

“I had people texting me nonstop, ‘Are you OK? What’s happening? Are you having a nervous breakdown? Did you guys get divorced? Are you having a trial separation? What’s happening?’” Trista recalled. “I’m like, ‘No, no, no, no, no,’ to all of the things. You’ll find out why and it’ll all make sense.”

Despite the drama, Trista said she has one positive takeaway: the outpouring of support for their relationship.

“I do have to say it made me feel good that people actually cared,” Trista said. “We’ve been married for 21 years. The show was on a really long time ago, and the fact that people still care was very humbling to me and very sweet, even though it was very chaotic.” (Trista and Ryan got engaged during The Bachelorette season 1 in 2003.)

While acknowledging that Ryan’s previous post was “cryptic,” Trista explained that she thinks the message was fitting given the circumstance.

“If you go back and you read [his post], it’s like, ‘I miss you. I wish I could be there for you,’” Trista said. “It makes total sense. I wish that people wouldn’t jump to conclusions, but at the same time, I feel like it’s just human nature and people are going to do it.”

Now, the couple is enjoying watching her compete on Special Forces. (Trista voluntarily withdrew from the competition during the Wednesday, January 15, episode.)

“I think they’re surprised that I did this,” she said, “and that I could get through the things that I got through.”

Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test airs on FOX Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET.

With reporting by Sarah Hearon