Producers of The Bachelor say they had no idea Gia Allemand, who took her own life last week, was battling severe depression or any mental problems.
Moreover, they say on-set therapists are available, since competing against others for the attention of one person can be an emotional rollercoaster.
"We go to great lengths to make sure that people are okay," show host Chris Harrison said in response to Gia's passing. "We have a support system."
"We're cognizant this is an emotional thing they are feeling."
Gia Allemand, a Season 14 contestant on the hit ABC show, died on August 14 after being removed from life support following an apparent suicide.
Friends and fellow contestants were shocked to learn of the 29-year-old model's death, saying she showed no indication that she wanted to kill herself.
"I thought she was okay," Michelle Money, her co-star, said. "But now I look back and think, 'Wow, is there something I could have done or said?'"
"I wouldn't put any assumption that The Bachelor shouldn't have had her cast," Money added. "The hard thing is you never know what's going on in someone's mind."
"Someone can be holding their head high, but inside they're battling demons."
Others seemed to have some idea that she had been struggling.
"I could tell there was some insecurity," Reid Rosenthal, a friend and contestant on The Bachelorette, said. "I don't know what she needed out of life. It's sad."
Indeed, and no one could have predicted it was so extreme.
In order to appear on ABC, Allemand had to pass an extensive vetting process, including background checks, employment verification and so on.
"We take finding a suitable partner for our Bachelor or Bachelorette very seriously," Mike Fleiss, creator of the franchise, told People earlier this year.
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