A former “Bachelor” producer is revisiting one of the franchise’s most talked-about rumors.
Julie LaPlaca, who worked closely with Peter Weber during his 2020 season, is opening up about their connection in her upcoming book, “The Love Producer.”
LaPlaca first joined the “Bachelor” franchise during Andi Dorfman’s “Bachelorette” season in 2014 as a date producer, meaning she helped come up with date ideas and find locations for them, according to Entertainment Weekly.
Her first time leading with a lead directly was on Hannah Brown’s season of “The Bachelorette” in 2019—which is when Weber was first introduced to Bachelor Nation (remember the infamous windmill scene?).
Rumors About Peter Weber and a Producer Took Off During His Season
ABCDuring Weber’s season of “The Bachelor,” speculation spread that he may not have ended up with one of his final contestants, which included Hannah Sluss, Madison Prewett, and even fourth-place finisher Kelley Flanagan.
Some fans instead believed he formed a connection with LaPlaca, who was working as a producer on the show. The rumors gained traction after the producer was seen spending time with the Bachelor himself and his family, including a New Year’s Eve outing in New York.
At the time, host Chris Harrison and ABC executive Rob Mills neither confirmed or denied the rumor as the season aired. LaPlaca addressed the rumors on her own, too, writing on Instagram that they “didn’t kiss at midnight.”
In February 2020, however, a source told Us Weekly that there’s “no truth” to the rumors.
“They were friends, but nothing romantic has happened between them,” the source said, adding they “act like colleagues and friends around each other.”
Julie LaPlaca Says Connection With Peter Weber ‘Got Complicated’
ABCIn a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, LaPlaca said her connection with Weber extended beyond what aired on television.
“Reality TV doesn’t always air the full reality,” she told the outlet.
LaPlaca explained that her role as a producer meant working closely with the lead throughout the entire process.
“You’re basically with them 24/7,” she said. “You’re doing all their interviews, prepping them for all their dates, and helping guide them on their entire journey.”
Over time, LaPlaca said that closeness led to a deeper connection.
“Peter and I instantly connected. He felt like an immediate best friend. My job is digging into his heart, getting him to be vulnerable—and I was doing the same,” she said. “There were moments where I was like, ‘Wow, I’m more open with Peter than I was with my boyfriend of five years.'”
She also described the bond between producers and leads as something viewers don’t fully see.
“There’s this interesting bond that people don’t see,” she said. “The intimacy that the lead producers have with the people they’re with. …
“It got complicated and lines became blurred.”
‘The Love Producer’ Will Reveal More About What Happened
LaPlaca said her upcoming book will revisit her time on the “Bachelor” franchise and include details she has not previously shared.
“I spent all my years getting people to be vulnerable and share their heart on the show,” LaPlaca told Entertainment Weekly. “And I realized I had shielded mine.”
She said the book reflects her decision to speak more openly about her own experiences.
“I will be sharing my truth that I suppressed for a while. I dealt with some shame and some fear around sharing it,” LaPlaca said. “And part of my journey was working through that and allowing myself to get to a place to be fully vulnerable — like I got so many cast members to do.
“Every woman should own her story and own her truth. … It’s very juicy and Bachelor Nation is going to love it.”
The book, “The Love Producer: My Unscripted Journey from a Reality TV Career to My Own Happily Ever After,” is currently available for pre-order with a release date set for July 7, 2026.
Julie LaPlaca Reveals How Peter Weber Might Feel About the Book Release
ABCWhen Entertainment Weekly asked LaPlaca how Weber may feel about the upcoming book release, she said plainly: “He’s not happy about it.”
Weber has not publicly said anything about the book’s release.
