How Zac Clark Used His ‘Bachelorette’ Fame to Support Recovery Efforts

When Season 16 of “The Bachelorette” concluded in December 2020, Zac Clark returned to his pre-show life: managing substance use and mental health programs, and furthering his nonprofit’s mission to provide treatment scholarships.

Having grown up in Haddonfield, New Jersey, Clark now boasts thousands of Instagram followers, an ex-fiancé, and a devoted fan base.

His appearance on the reality dating show greatly benefited his nonprofit, the Release Recovery Foundation, raising over $1.6 million, enabling him to pursue scholarship partnerships in Philadelphia. Although he and Tayshia Adams ended their relationship in 2021, Clark’s tenure on the show remains a defining part of his public identity.

“I’ve worked hard for four years to show that one experience doesn’t define me,” Clark, 40, mentioned. “But I’m also fortunate to use my story publicly to help others.”

Clark didn’t pursue “The Bachelorette” to become an influencer; his sister Kathryn Cannici, 36, nominated him out of boredom during her pregnancy.

Despite this, Clark leveraged the show to build a brand as a sobriety advocate. Gaining 480,000 Instagram followers after discussing his addiction struggles on air, his posts now feature mental health podcast clips, Narcan ads, and mindfulness tips, often circling back to his recovery journey.

Clark’s trajectory post-show diverges from the typical Bachelor(ette)-to-influencer path. Unlike others who pivot fully to social media careers, Clark applies traditional influencer tools—sponsored content, podcasts, and strategic posts—to “make recovery look cool, hip, and sexy.”

Clark’s shift from Bachelor Nation to sobriety mogul represents a change from past show practices. Previously, post-show earnings came from club appearances until 2017, when social media advertisements became lucrative.

Now, the influencer market is saturated. Bachelor Nation alums face declining follower counts amid competition from other dating show stars. Success hinges on being compelling and authentic, balancing pre- and post-show personas.

“I was as real as I could be on The Bachelorette,” Clark said. “I continue to live my life that way. There’s nothing fake about me.”

Succeeding post-Bachelor(ette) often requires one to embrace fame naturally without seeking it expressly. Clark, who had never seen “The Bachelorette,” exemplified this. Known for his charm, he was voted “Life of the Party” in high school. His youth was marked by sports, festivities, and early struggles with substance abuse.

After college, a brain tumor led Clark to painkiller addiction, progressing to heroin before rehab saved him following multiple legal troubles. Sober since 2011, he has since opened five treatment facilities and launched the Release Recovery Foundation in 2019, awarding over 100 scholarships this year alone.

Clark’s followers motivated his return to Philadelphia, specifically Kensington, an area grappling with severe addiction issues. In April, he hosted a football clinic and shadowed local addiction support workers, aiming to formalize partnerships between his foundation and community groups.

“Recovering now gives me a chance to serve where I once sought drugs,” Clark reflected. “People need real opportunities to break the cycle of addiction.”

Clark’s sister dubs him a “unicorn” in Bachelor Nation: he focuses on recovery rather than the typical reality show fame. For example, social media posts emphasize addiction resources rather than his reality TV past.

“Zac poured his post-show fame entirely into our work,” said Matthew Rinklin, 41, Clark’s nonprofit cofounder. Early 2021 saw a huge fundraising success due to Clark’s Instagram presence.

Clark admits that his Bachelorette fame occasionally brings subtle stigma, especially during initial interactions with families seeking treatment for loved ones. “They’ll joke about my TV stint, then decide to trust me with their child’s recovery,” Clark noted. “This experience has its blessings and curses.”

Licensed psychologist Nancy Irwin believes figures like Clark help de-stigmatize addiction. “Personal stories make recovery more accessible, opening doors to self-forgiveness and healing,” Irwin said. However, public figures face high expectations to balance perfectionism with genuine, nonjudgmental transparency.

Clark continues feeling like a South Jersey kid who got a second chance. “This was my life before and after the show. Overcoming shame led me to believe my purpose is to help others,” he shared. “Recovery is a gift.”