'The Bachelorette': Aaron's actions bring back memories of twin Noah Erb's iconic moment
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: Jenn Tran's 'The Bachelorette' season did not take long to intensify the tension, especially with Devin Strader's incompatibility with his fellow cast members. Although the July 15 episode's cold open hinted at the Houston, Texas, native getting into a yelling war with Thomas Nguyen, it was his altercation with Aaron Erb that had Bachelor Nation feeling as if they had traveled back in time to 2020.
Aaron played a ridiculous prank on Devin that was very similar to a storyline from Tayshia Adams's season about Noah Erb, Aaron's identical brother.
![Aaron Erb gives Devin Strader a book in 'The Bachelorette' Season 21 (ABC)](http://d6ehjqrqtzoun.cloudfront.net/4a245f1f-2aff-42a1-9db0-230e404ad72a.png)
During a group outing to eat ice cream on Monday, Aaron became very enraged with Devin for dragging Jenn aside. This led to back-and-forth bickering between the two guys for the remainder of the show.
Aaron claimed to have carried a book called "Principles for Self-Growth" with him and to have read it a few times when he wanted to talk with Devin outdoors during the cocktail party.
Aaron told his co-star, "When I said I feel like you lack the depth to be with a girl like Jenn, I meant that out of a place of love."
Without missing a beat, Bachelor Nation brought up Noah's conflict with Harvard graduate Bennett Jordan from Season 16, during which Bennett delivered a patronizing lecture to Noah about his lack of emotional intelligence, citing three of the four components, while also giving him a book in the same manner.
Looking again at that 'The Bachelorette' tape reveals that Bennett told Noah the following, which appears to have been rewritten in Aaron's words to reflect what Bennett had told his brother, "I’m not trying to belittle you. I’m literally trying to love you up."
Fans on X joked, "OHHHH so Bennett gave the emotional intelligence book to the wrong brother." Another person chimed in, "Not Aaron giving Devin a book?? He is literally referencing his brother’s fight with Bennett on Clare/Tayshia’s season… what is going on."
OHHHH so bennett gave the emotional intelligence book to the wrong brother #TheBachelorette pic.twitter.com/EPv4lYU9PA
— bach memes (@thebachelwhore) July 16, 2024
Not Aaron giving Devin a book?? He is literally referencing his brother’s fight with Bennett on Clare/Tayshia’s season… what is going on #TheBachelorette pic.twitter.com/NHlgw5miiC
— vanessa (@assenavmarie) July 16, 2024
Fans also tweeted, "How do I explain the cultural significance of this book exchange to someone who doesn’t watch." A fourth user pleaded, "PLS I HOPE IT’S THE EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE BOOK."
how do I explain the cultural significance of this book exchange to someone who doesn’t watch #TheBachelorette pic.twitter.com/ZeX7b3BYUn
— sarah (@semsationally) July 16, 2024
PLS I HOPE IT’S THE EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE BOOK #TheBachelorette pic.twitter.com/paCYRmGMaW
— Erin Alexandria (@ThatShyGirlErin) July 16, 2024
One person noted, "At this point the Bachelorette franchise has seen more self-help books than most men in America." While one user requests, "Begging men to stop giving other men books on emotional intelligence."
at this point the bachelorette franchise has seen more self-help books than most men in America #TheBachelorette pic.twitter.com/rV4DyuIOYP
— sarah (@semsationally) July 16, 2024
begging men to stop giving other men books on emotional intelligence #TheBachelorette pic.twitter.com/ljooy5cbCS
— rebecca (@BubblySwiftie13) July 16, 2024
Aaron Erb and Devin Strader don't get Group Date Roses in 'The Bachelorette' Season 21
Devin finds himself on the wrong side of almost every guy after whisking Jenn away during the group date. The date culminates in Melbourne's International Comedy Festival, where they must perform in front of a crowd. Unsurprisingly, the men target Devin.
Aaron, who is undoubtedly not a fan of Devin, throws many digs at him. Aaron does not conceal his dislike for the Houston native, and he ultimately pulls Devin away for a conversation.
He effectively speaks for Jenn, telling Devin — whom he repeatedly refers to as "Dylan" — that she prefers to be with a man rather than a "boy" like him. Aaron also suggests that Devin may not be the best choice for Jenn.
At the group date afterparty, tensions rise as Aaron and Devin battle for Jenn's attention by continuously interrupting each other's chats. Luckily for the others, no one gets the group date rose!
![Aaron Erb takes jabs at Devin Strader in 'The Bachelorette' Season 21 (ABC/JohnFleenor)](https://d6ehjqrqtzoun.cloudfront.net/be781a1b-a198-40a4-93c5-7d3aeb06ecd1.png)
Aaron Erb urges 'The Bachelorette' Season 21 costar Devin Strader to do self-awareness check
For their second group date, Aaron claims he and Devin have an unresolved business while the other half of the men are away. Devin is confronted by Aaron for his lack of self-awareness, and Aaron informs him that the other guys in the house are impacted by his haughty demeanor.
Aaron's usage of "Dylan" clearly annoys Devin, who finds himself more and more perplexed by Aaron's claims about Jenn's tastes and their own compatibility—especially in light of their brief relationship.
![Devin Strader and Aaron Erb in 'The Bachelorette' Season 21 A(BC)](https://d6ehjqrqtzoun.cloudfront.net/344acd43-9b2b-4215-b829-77a94fad8b4e.png)
Aaron Erb self eliminates from 'The Bachelorette' Season 21
At the conclusion of The Bachelorette Aeason 21, Jenn and Aaron do not become engaged, according to Reality Steve. In week two, Aaron went on a group date for a comedy roast while Jenn and her competitors were in Melbourne, Australia.
The week after, he went on a four-person group date to race on a professional track alongside Austin Ott, Brian Autz, and Jeremy Simon.
Reality Steve disclosed, however, that Aaron had self-eliminated from 'The Bachelorette' Season 21 sometime after the group date because he had been accepted to a flight school back home and had to depart right away to avoid losing his opportunity to obtain a pilot's license. He would be "edited like a hero that he's leaving the show to fly for our country" is what Reality Steve has heard.
!['The Bachelorette' Season 21 star Aaron Erb is an aerospace engineer (Instagram/erbyderby)](https://d6ehjqrqtzoun.cloudfront.net/085991fd-d6d8-4fd3-ae27-0d3431585a02.jpg)
Mondays at 8 pm ET mark the release of new episodes of 'The Bachelorette' season 21 on ABC, which can be seen on Hulu the following day.