‘Bachelorette’ Suitor Erich Schwer Is ‘Deeply Ashamed’ After Blackface Pic Emerges

Finally feels real! Gabby Windey and Erich Schwer couldn’t be happier about being able to show off their romance in public after the Bachelorette finale.

Gabby Windey has something to say about her performance kiss. The alum received a sweet on-stage smooch from her fiance, Erich Schwer, as she completed her Viennese walz to Elvis Presley's «Can't Help Falling in Love» on Monday night's show — but she tells ET backstage that the moment was filled with more nerves than passion. «I'd like to preface — my mouth was so dry,» she exclaims to ET's Matt Cohen when asked about the moment with Schwer. «Because of the nerves,» she continues, «but it was so sweet.» Val and Gabby danced to I can't help falling in love <3 #DWTSpic.twitter.com/EK0DU9pAwbMy heart ❤️

Can’t help falling in love! Bachelorette star Gabby Windey’s fiancé Erich Schwer visited her during rehearsal for Dancing With the Stars ahead of her Elvis Night performance.

Eric Christian Olsen is soaking up the sun this weekend!

Her final rose! Gabby Windey got engaged to Erich Schwer on season 19 of The Bachelorette, but like most relationships in Bachelor Nation, their journey was full of ups and downs.

A familiar feeling. Becca Kufrin compared Bachelorette winner Erich Schwer‘s blackface controversy to her former fiancé Garrett Yrigoen‘s 2018 social media scandal.

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior Correspondent This week’s season finale of “The Bachelorette” saw a happy ending for leading lady, Gabby Windey, who received a proposal from her final suitor, Erich Schwer. But despite the couple’s engagement, their road to find love on reality TV was not without controversy — and not just the on-screen drama you expect from a dating show, but the real trouble that comes with being thrust into the public spotlight. Towards the end of the season, an old photo from Schwer’s high school yearbook surfaced online, showing the then-teenager wearing blackface as part of a high school Halloween costume in which he dressed up as Jimi Hendrix with dark makeup and an afro wig.

Erich Schwer was in the hot seat during The Bachelorette: After the Final Rose on Tuesday, September 20, but some members of Bachelor Nation aren’t happy that Gabby Windey’s fiancé didn’t have to answer for a resurfaced photo of him in blackface in high school.

The aftermath from the Bachelorette finale continues. After Gabby Windey’s fiancé, Erich Schwer, confronted his former flame Amanda Kayler’s claims about their pre-show relationship on The Bachelorette: After the Final Rose, she is speaking out exclusively to Us Weekly.

Erich Schwer had a lot to answer for when he and Gabby Windey reunited on The Bachelorette: After the Final Rose on Tuesday, September 20.

Gabby Windey found her love! On Tuesday's season finale of , the nurse got engaged to Erich Schwer, a real estate analyst.After initially expressing interest in both Gabby and her co-lead, Rachel Recchia, Erich quickly moved firmly into the former's camp of suitors.At the largest group date in franchise history, Gabby told ET that Erich was «such a pleasant surprise.»«I was initially kind of fearful to explore my relationship with him, because he reminds me of the men I've dated in the past, but getting to know him, he really was such a sweet soul,» Gabby said of Erich. "… We have such an easy, vulnerable connection that I kind of can’t believe that it’s happening so fast.«The pair went on to have a one-on-one date that was anything but typical, as Gabby's grandpa joined them for a day of bowling.

Bachelorette bombshell. Season 19 finalist Erich Schwer is no stranger to controversy — and he once again found himself in hot water when texts between him and ex-girlfriend Amanda Kaylor were leaked last week.

Unexpected hot take. Jon Hamm is one of the latest celebrities to call out Erika Jayne for her part in the earrings drama shown on recent episodes of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Season 19 of The Bachelorette may come to a dramatic end for both Gabby Windey and Rachel Recchia.

It seems Erich Schwer is already in the hot seat before After the Final Rose. A former flame of Gabby Windey’s Bachelorette finalist has leaked alleged text messages suggesting that he didn’t go on the show for the right reasons.

Cold as diamonds. Erika Jayne is fighting back after Jennifer Lawrence called her an “evil” cast member of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Erich Schwer has issued an apology. After an old photo of Gabby Windey's final suitor in Blackface resurfaced, the 29-year-old real estate analyst took to Instagram to address the controversy.«I wholeheartedly apologize for the insensitive photo of me in Blackface from my high school yearbook that has been circulating,» Erich wrote alongside a black square on Instagram.

blackface as well as an afro wig surfaced — drawing questions and criticism.Schwer apologized Thursday on Instagram, acknowledging the “insensitive” photo and “offensive and damaging” behavior. “I wholeheartedly apologize for the insensitive photo of me in Blackface from my high school yearbook that has been circulating,” he wrote.”What I thought at the time was a representation of my love for Jimi Hendrix, was nothing but ignorance.”Reps for “The Bachelorette” did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.“I was naïve to the hurtful implications of my actions to the Black community and those closest to me, and will forever regret my offensive and damaging behavior,” he continued. “I am deeply ashamed by my actions and understand that my apology is only the first step in taking accountability.”The apology received mixed responses from fans, some supporting the way Schwer acknowledged the incident and apologized, taking accountability.

Perhaps its time for Executive Producer Mike Fleiss to employ a full-time forensic anthropologist. After The Bachelorette‘s Gabby Windey made it clear this week that Erich Schwer was the man she wanted, internet sleuths dug up a picture of the 29-year-old bachelor in Blackface from his high school yearbook.