Meet 'Bachelorette' Katie Thurston — Everything to Know About the Reality Star Amid Her Devastating Cancer Battle
The former 'Bachelorette' star has been documenting her cancer journey.
Feb. 25 2025, Published 9:00 p.m. ET
Katie Thurston Is From Washington
Thurston famously appeared on 'The Bachelor' Season 25.
Born on January 3, 1991, Katie Thurston grew up in Washington and attended Lynnwood High School. She joined the school's volleyball team and played the position of libero, often showing her defensive skills on the court.
Beyond her reality TV and social media presence, Thurston was a busy bank marketing manager.
"I come from a finance background where I have to know my customers by face and name," she told Us Weekly, explaining how she quickly remembered The Bachelor's contestants. "And so I picked that up right away."
Thurston Joined 'The Bachelor' Season 25
She strongly advocated against bullying during her 'The Bachelor' stint.
In 2021, Thurston made headlines when she made a grand limo entrance as she joined The Bachelor Season 25. While she became a fan-favorite after she stood up against Victoria Larson's behavior and advocated against bullying among the contestants, she was still eliminated, finishing in 11th place.
Thurston Was The Bachelorette
Thurston also promotes sex positivity.
Following her The Bachelor appearance, Thurston was tapped to start her journey on The Bachelorette Season 17.
"I don't regret being myself," she said in the promo for the show. "I know what I deserve."
Thurston added: "I am who I am. I want to meet someone who knows who they are. My person is still out there."
She Was Engaged to Blake Moynes
Blake Moynes reportedly slid into Thurston's DMs while she was on 'The Bachelor.'
During The Bachelorette Season 17 finale, Thurston named Blake Moynes "The One."
She told the winner before the proposal: "I always thought you showed up late, but if there's anything I've learned during our journey together, it's that love shows up when it wants, regardless of time, tradition, expectations, and that's why we're standing right here in this very moment. You showed up exactly when you were meant to show up. I'll forever be thankful that you fought to be here."
Although Moynes appeared hesitant to pop the question, he ultimately got down on one knee and told Thurston: "I can't give you what you came here for because you deserve a lot more than that. You deserve the world, and I'm excited to support you and be there for you every day moving forward."
But shortly after her season ended, she called off their engagement and moved on with John Hersey. Her relationship with the bartender also fizzled out in the end.
She Is Engaged to Jeff Arcuri
The couple hosted an engagement party in Detroit.
Thurston found love again with Jeff Arcuri after connecting online in April 2024. Roughly four months later, they became engaged after he proposed to her at Secret Beach in Kauai, Hawaii.
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Thurston's Cancer Diagnosis
Thurston revealed her breast cancer diagnosis on February 16.
On Saturday, February 16, Thurston shocked her followers when she revealed her breast cancer diagnosis in an Instagram post.
She wrote: "Yesterday I saw all the couples post their Valentines Day celebrations. I felt envious if I'm being honest. Jeff took me to Hawaii and after, we were going to travel the world before planting roots together in NYC finally. But instead, my Vday was spent coordinating a place to live as I have to go back to LA for more testing and treatment."
According to Thurston, she felt a whirlwind of emotions upon hearing the news. She also spent the holiday making health appointments and plotting a plan going forward.
Amid her current health journey, she reportedly sought out other women who were in similar situations.
She continued: "One thing I did early on was search other stories like mine. Other young women with breast cancer. Invasive ductal carcinoma. Mastectomy. Pregnancy after breast cancer. All of their stories helped. So I intend to be the same for others. This is day one of sharing and is going to be a long one. This first step of acceptance of my reality was the hardest. But I am ready to fight this."
Thurston ended the post by thanking Arcuri, writing: "I don't know how I'd do this without you."
