Bachelorette’s Tino Franco Tells All on ‘The Viall Files’ Podcast After Rachel Recchia Split: Quotes

Looking Back at His ‘Mistake’

Tino candidly told Nick that the “mistake” me made constantly “haunts” him.

“It’s something I’m ashamed of and certainly wish I could have done it differently a million times over,” the California Native explained. “I absolutely regret it … biggest mistake of my life.”

Being in a Relationship With Rachel

Tino had only positive things to say about his ex, explaining that she always made him “feel really special and valued.”

Overall, as a partner, Rachel was “everything” Tino “asked for and more.”

When Things Went South

Tino explained that things started to change in their relationship when the show started airing.

“That took way bigger of a toll on me than I thought it would,” he explained of Rachel kissing other guys during The Bachelorette. “I really think I could have been a way more supportive partner for her and seen through the storm that’s where I really feel like I let her down.”

What Really Went Down

“I want to put it to bed, we were not on a break. I don’t know where that came from,” he admitted of the moment he kissed someone else. “We were not separated or anything like that.”

He shared that they were just “in a really dark place.”

When it came to the actual kiss, Tino was out with a group of friends and “was feeling a little in the dumps … I was getting attention. … I just kind of gave in.” 

Why He Cheated

“I really wish I didn’t do that … didn’t act out,” he shared. Overall, Tino said that his insecurity was the root of his cheating.

“I did it and I realized really quick that I don’t know what the future holds for me and Rachel, but this is not who I am and what I should be doing,” he shared.

Telling Rachel

Tino waited a bit to reveal his infidelity. After Rachel randomly texted him “love you” one day, Tino realized that he needed to tell her he kissed someone else.

“I didn’t tell her the entirety of it right away, in hindsight I absolutely should have,” he admitted. “At first, I said like, ‘Oh, you know, I kind of led this girl on the other night.’ … So weak, I’m not standing by that at all. So lame.”

He recalled Rachel listening very attentively as he told the story.

“I told her, ‘Hey, I just f–ked up. I went and kissed this other girl. We were in a bad spot. I don’t want to condone what it did at all. I messed up. I love you so much and I want us to get past this.'”

At first, Rachel took time to think about what he had said.

The Journal

“I was flustered, for sure, and I wanted it to work out. I wanted to be as articulate as I could and not stumbling over my words, which I did anyway,” he recalled. “Now that I’m watching it back, that clearly created a contentious environment. That’s certainly not what I was going for. … I was just trying to articulate my thoughts and what I was going through the best as I could because I was just very frazzled.”

Who Was on the Phone?

Tino said he called one of his best friends for advice.

“Went in, it didn’t go super smoothly,” he shared. “I unbuttoned my shirt, through my mic off and called him and I was like, ‘I don’t think we’re arriving at the right spot, what do I do?'”

When Aven Walked Out at ‘AFTR’

Tino said he doesn’t remember a lot of what went down during the live show.

“I think I was like … why am I still out here?” he said. “They can have a cute moment, why am I here?”

He was “way more frustrated” at the show than Rachel. “If Rachel wanted Aven to come out in front of me, I can’t really say much, I was the one who cheated.”

Final Thoughts

He spoke to Aven following After the Final Rose, whom Tino referred to as a “class act dude.”

As for where he and Rachel stand now, Tino still thinks about her “every day.” Overall, he’s “moved on,” but they were “extremely” in love.

“She set the bar really high for my future fiancée and I really appreciate the hell out of her,” he shared. “It’s time to move on.”