Maurissa Gunn: 5 Things To Know About The Newly-Engaged ‘Bachelor In Paradise’ Star

Alyssa Norwin

August 30, 2021 6:37PM EDT

ABC

It’s official — Maurissa Gunn and Riley Christian are engaged! The pair went public with their relationship status after Riley’s proposal aired on the season finale of ‘Bachelor in Paradise.’

Love is most definitely in the air for Maurissa Gunn. The Bachelor alum appeared on season 7 of Bachelor in Paradise, where she fell for Riley Christian. The two fell for each other quickly, and Riley proposed with a Neil Lane sparkler during the show’s Oct. 5 finale, which was filmed during summer 2021. After the episode aired, they confirmed they were still happily together.

Maurissa actually arrived on the beach in Mexico before Riley. At the first rose ceremony, she accepted a rose from Connor Brennan, who she formed a connection with during week one. However, once Riley arrived and asked her on a date, the rest was history. They even ended their first night together by hooking up in bed! Learn more about Maurissa below:

Riley Christian proposes to Maurissa Gunn on ‘BIP.’ (ABC)

1. What Happened To Maurissa On ‘The Bachelor’?

Maurissa was a contestant on season 24 of The Bachelor with Peter Weber. However, she did not get much screen time during her stint on the show, as she was eliminated during the first episode. Maurissa was one of eight women who Peter sent home at the very first rose ceremony. However, the early rejection didn’t stop her from believing in love, and she returned for Bachelor in Paradise for another shot at finding her soulmade!

Related Gallery

'Bachelor In Paradise': Season 7's Hottest Bikini Photos -- Serena, Natasha & More

BACHELOR IN PARADISE - “708” – Heading into the long-awaited cocktail party, five women prepare to be sent home, but first, they’ll have to make it through one of the craziest nights in Paradise history. Starting off with a bang, the beach’s most controversial couple faces a reckoning they can’t come back from. Then, one couple pays a visit to the Boom Boom Room, another endures a birthday breakup of epic proportions, and one unlucky lady gets a second chance at love, all before the rose ceremony even begins. When the roses are finally handed out, there’s one more surprise in store…WHAT?! Lil Jon has arrived as the next guest host and he’s not playing around, OKAY? In fact, he brought a whole new batch of guys with him who will make their entrances soon. Later, as a new day begins, it feels like a fresh start in Paradise. But is there more hope or heartbreak on the horizon for these beachgoers? Only time will tell on “Bachelor in Paradise,” TUESDAY, SEPT. 14 (8:00-10:01 p.m. EDT), on ABC. (ABC/Craig Sjodin)
CHELSEA, AARON

2. Maurissa Is A Former Pageant Girl

When Maurissa was a teenager, she competed in beauty pageants. She even won Miss Teen Montana 2013 during her reign in the pageant world. The year prior, she was the first runner-up in the Miss Teen Montana competition.

3. Maurissa Has Lost 80 Pounds

Although Maurissa spent years competing in pageants, she struggled with body image issues during this time in her life. During this time, she was in a five-year relationship, but they eventually broke up due to conflicting ideas about marriage and the future. After the breakup, Maurissa eventually moved to Atlanta and stepped up her fitness routine, leading to an 80-pound weight loss. She debuted her weight loss with a before-and-after photo in 2017.

4. What Does Maurissa Do For Work?

Maurissa works as a Patient Coordinator at a Plastic Surgery office in Atlanta. She has been with the company since April 2019. She previously attended Montana State University Billings, where she graduated in 2017.

Maurissa Gunn and RIley Christian celebrate their engagement on ‘BIP.’ (ABC)

5. Maurissa Has A Large Family

Maurissa is one of TEN siblings. She is the oldest child in her family.