Ashley Iaconetti Reflects on Her Unexpected ‘Stars on Mars’ Elimination, Claustrophobic Space Suit, and Post-Show Revelations

Reality television veteran Ashley Iaconetti, known for her candid personality and memorable appearances in the Bachelor franchise, recently faced an early departure from the extraterrestrial reality series *Stars on Mars*. Deemed not “mission critical” during the July 17 episode, the *Bachelor In Paradise* alum’s journey as a celebri-naut was cut short, leading to her elimination and an expedited return to Earth from the show’s Australia base camp. In an exclusive interview with HollywoodLife, Ashley delved deep into the surprising circumstances of her last-minute recruitment, the unique challenges of the simulated Martian environment, and her introspective thoughts on her brief but impactful experience among the stars.

Ashley openly shared the “crazy scenario” that led to her joining the *Stars on Mars* cast. Although initially approached “months prior” about her interest, the actual call to action came with an almost unbelievable deadline. While enjoying time at her parents’ home in Virginia, her agent’s persistent calls signaled an urgent situation. “He kept calling and calling. I was like, ‘Can I call you right back? I’m in the middle of something.’ He’s like, ‘You got to talk now. I need you to make this crazy decision in 30 minutes. Do you want to go to Australia and film the show *Stars on Mars*? You have to leave on Thursday.’ It was Tuesday night,” Ashley recounted, emphasizing the whirlwind nature of the offer. With a toddler at home, the decision was monumental and fraught with logistical challenges, yet her intuition prevailed. “It was insane. In my gut, I was just like, I’m going to regret it if I don’t do it, so let’s do this crazy experience,” she admitted, highlighting the adventurous spirit that drives many reality TV personalities.

This spontaneous trip to Australia for *Stars on Mars* marked a rare solo adventure for Ashley. Her devoted husband, Jared Haibon, and their son, Dawson, who recently celebrated his first birthday, remained at home. While Ashley has had professional commitments requiring her absence in the past, this particular separation felt significantly longer and more demanding. “I’ve had to, of course, go away for work and stuff throughout the past year and a half. The longest we’ve ever left him was for *Bachelor in Paradise*. I think that was 5 nights,” she explained, drawing a stark comparison. “For this, I had to guarantee 13 nights, so it was very stressful.” The emotional toll of being away from her young son for such an extended period was undeniable. Dawson would often appear saddened during their FaceTime calls, a poignant reminder of the distance. However, the consistent access to her phone provided a crucial lifeline, differentiating this experience from her past reality TV endeavors. “It was nice that I had FaceTime. I had my phone the entire time, which was fantastic. On *The Bachelor*, we never have our phones. They did let us have our phones when we were away last *Paradise*, but this time I could be in constant communication with them,” she shared, underscoring the immense relief and comfort this constant connection offered to her and her family.

Upon her arrival at the simulated Mars base camp, the Bachelor Nation star was immediately thrust into the immersive role of a celebri-naut, which included donning the imposing space suit. Ashley quickly realized this was no ordinary costume. “It was not like Matt Damon’s *The Martian* look,” she quipped, dispelling any notions of sleek, modern space attire. Instead, the suit evoked a more archaic, rugged feel. “It was definitely more of like a Neil Armstrong-feeling suit. It was heavy and clunky.” Beyond its sheer weight, which bore down on her shoulders, the suit presented a significant psychological hurdle. “Between the weight on your shoulders and then the claustrophobia of not being able to get fresh air in there was scary,” Ashley revealed, describing moments of genuine panic. The enclosed helmet created a sensation of being trapped in a “glass bubble,” a thought that often triggered anxiety. This unexpected battle with claustrophobia became one of the most unexpected and challenging aspects of her brief tenure on the show, requiring her to actively employ mental strategies to prevent full-blown freak-outs during missions.

Ashley confessed that the most “challenging aspect” of her *Stars on Mars* experience wasn’t just the physical demands or the psychological strain of the suit, but rather the social dynamics. “Coming in late and not having the warm and fuzzy reception when we walked in” created an immediate disadvantage. Unlike *The Bachelor* where contestants typically start together, fostering a “sorority house” camaraderie, Ashley joined a group that had already formed bonds and established their routines. This lack of initial social integration proved to be a significant hurdle. Despite this, she did manage to connect with a few individuals. “Cat Cora was the only person that would say I felt like I could kind of chat with,” she noted, indicating a specific comfort level with the renowned chef. However, it was another celebrity’s presence that truly captivated her. “I also really wanted to just listen to everything that came out of Marshawn Lynch’s mouth. That man is amazing. He needs his own show. I was privileged to be in his presence,” Ashley enthusiastically shared, highlighting the former NFL star’s magnetic personality and unique insights that left a lasting impression on her.

Expanding on the social environment, Ashley continued, “But just not having the sort of social environment that I had from *The Bachelor* was the biggest challenge because everybody there is just like, we’re in this and this is crazy. This is fun.” She contrasted this with the established group on *Stars on Mars*, where the initial bonding phase was long past. While *The Bachelor* often showcases drama, Ashley noted that much of the time on set is genuinely enjoyable and fosters strong connections, likening it to a tight-knit community. This was a stark difference from the individualistic, mission-focused atmosphere she encountered. Her earlier point about the space suit’s claustrophobia also lingered. “And then the other thing was the suit, which really was pretty claustrophobic. There were moments where I was like, if I think about myself in this glass bubble, I’m going to start freaking out. I did get panicky,” she reiterated, reinforcing the dual mental and social challenges she faced in the simulated Martian habitat. These combined factors made her brief time on the show a test of mental fortitude.

Despite her desire to have remained longer in the competition, Ashley was remarkably unsurprised by her early elimination. The revelation that *Stars on Mars* was an elimination show only came after her arrival, setting the stage for her realistic expectations. “So when I did hear that it was an elimination show, I was like, so I’ll probably be eliminated right off the bat because I’m with all these athletes there are physically capable,” she candidly admitted. Ashley humbly assessed her own aptitudes, acknowledging her lack of physical prowess or scientific inclination. “Here I am… I couldn’t make my freshman volleyball team. I’m not physically inclined whatsoever,” she confessed. Her self-awareness extended to her cognitive skills, particularly in mission-oriented tasks requiring numerical or instructional comprehension. “And missions, when it comes to the left side of my brain and thinking numbers and instructions, I hate instructions. If I see them I’m like, ‘Jared, take the instructions. I can’t put it together.’ There’s like this non-connection between my right and my left brain. Any sense of numbers and science, get away from me,” she articulated, clearly outlining why she felt she was not a natural fit for the show’s demands.

Reflecting on the specific mission that led to her departure, Ashley further elaborated on the circumstances. “When it came down to me being eliminated during that mission, that was kind of sucky just because it’s not like I didn’t do the job. I just had the least important job because I had one hole in the ground,” she explained. While acknowledging that her contribution was minimal compared to others, she understood the logic behind the decision. “But if you had to eliminate someone, I get it. Eliminate me,” she conceded with a pragmatic acceptance. Her ability to detach from the personal sting of elimination and view it through the lens of mission efficiency speaks volumes about her understanding of reality television’s competitive nature. This perspective allowed her to accept her fate gracefully, recognizing that in a show focused on critical contributions, her late entry and assigned task made her an understandable candidate for elimination, even if it wasn’t due to a lack of effort on her part.

Coincidentally, just hours before her *Stars on Mars* elimination aired, the identity of Gerry Turner as the star of *The Golden Bachelor* was revealed, marking a significant and exciting development for the *Bachelor* franchise. Ashley, a devoted and long-standing member of Bachelor Nation, expressed immense enthusiasm for this upcoming senior citizen spinoff. “Overall for the franchise, I’m just really, really excited,” Ashley told HollywoodLife. “The reception is amazing. I was looking under the comments from the posts from *The Bachelor’s* official Instagram. There’s just no negativity anywhere. People are really excited.” She pointed to the overwhelming positive feedback as a testament to the show’s potential. “They’re shocked at how young looking he is, and everyone’s just feeling the fresh vibes. We’re just excited to get a little spring in our step with a new spinoff,” she added, emphasizing the palpable sense of renewal and anticipation surrounding the show. Ashley believes that *The Golden Bachelor* will offer a unique and deeply heartfelt experience, predicting it will be “super romantic, so heartfelt, and emotional.”

Ashley elaborated further on her expectations for *The Golden Bachelor*, highlighting the profound emotional depth it promises to explore. “I bet you that there will be people who are already married. So they might have a spouse that passed away or gone through a divorce,” she hypothesized, underscoring the rich life experiences and potential vulnerabilities that contestants will bring to the show. This demographic shift, she believes, will lead to narratives filled with genuine emotion, resilience, and the search for love later in life. Furthermore, she anticipated the involvement of family members, creating an even more compelling storyline. “There are going to be so many grown children involved in the story,” she noted, recognizing the added layer of family dynamics and support that will undoubtedly shape the journeys of the senior contestants. For Ashley, *The Golden Bachelor* represents a welcome departure from typical reality TV tropes, offering a fresh perspective on love, loss, and second chances. “I’m feeling a fresh breath of air,” she concluded, eagerly awaiting the romantic and emotional sincerity that the new spinoff is poised to deliver to audiences.

While her journey on *Stars on Mars* was brief and presented its own unique set of challenges, Ashley Iaconetti emerged from the experience with valuable insights and a deeper understanding of herself. From the frantic, last-minute decision to join the cast, to the physical and mental hurdles posed by the heavy space suit and the established group dynamics, every moment contributed to a distinct chapter in her reality television career. Her candid reflections on battling claustrophobia, navigating social integration, and accepting an early elimination due to mission requirements, all paint a picture of a celebrity who is refreshingly honest about her strengths and limitations. Ultimately, her experience on a simulated Mars offered a unique perspective, reinforcing her appreciation for family connections and cementing her excitement for the evolving landscape of reality TV, particularly with innovative new concepts like *The Golden Bachelor*. Ashley continues to be a vibrant voice in the entertainment world, always ready to share her authentic journey, whether it’s on a terrestrial beach or a simulated planetary outpost.