DeAnna Pappas, who starred as the “Bachelorette” on Season 4 of the hit ABC show, was recently arrested following an altercation with her ex-husband, Stephen Stagliano, The Post can confirm.
Pappas, 43, was booked on a misdemeanor charge in Santa Clarita, Calif., on Feb. 27 at 5 a.m. and posted a $20,000 bond the same day. InTouch was the first to report the story.
The former reality star is now seeking a restraining order against her Stagliano, 40, according to the outlet.
Stephen Stagliano and TV personality Deanna Pappas attend the Kick Ass Cake Bash Celebration at Royal/ T Cafe on March 2, 2010 in Culver City, California. WireImageThe argument between Pappas and her ex, who finalized their divorce after 11 years of marriage in January 2024, reportedly stemmed from accusations over her drinking.
The news of Pappas’ arrest came to light after Lynn Stagliano, alleged to be Stephen’s mother, mentioned the incident in a declaration filed on March 7 in the couple’s divorce, according to InTouch.
In her filing, Lynn claimed that she “very clearly smelled alcohol on DeAnna’s breath” when she went to pick up Pappas and Stagliano’s son on February 26 to take him to school.
The pair share two children: daughter Addison, 11, and son Austin, 9.
In response to an ex parte application filed by Stagliano, which isn’t present in the court record, Pappas argued, “The basis of [Stephen’s] claim is his false assertion that I am an alcoholic. This is entirely fabricated and is a tactic for [Stephen] to gain an advantage in his attempt to separate me from my children.”
DeAnna Pappas (L) and Stephen Stagliano attend the 2015 Baby2Baby Gala at 3LABS on November 14, 2015 in Culver City, California. FilmMagicThe exes had previously agreed to share joint custody of their children.
Pappas further accused her ex-husband of having a history of “coaching our daughter to search for alcohol in the house.”
She alleged that Stephen had taught their daughter to “literally sniff out alcohol and to turn her against me by making her think I am an alcoholic.”
“I am not an alcoholic,” DeAnna stated.
DeAnna Pappas was “The Bachelorette” on the show’s 4th season. Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
Pappas first competed on Brad Womack’s season of “The Bachelor” in 2007. Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty ImagesOn March 7, DeAnna filed for a restraining order against her ex-husband.
She claimed that on February 26, Stagliano came to her home to pick up Addison and said she accompanied their daughter to his car when he arrived.
“Stephen told me I needed to walk closer to him because he wanted to smell my breath to make sure that I was not drunk,” Pappas stated. “I had not consumed any alcohol. I ignored Stephen’s comment, and I walked back into the garage.”
DeAnna Pappas (L) and Stephen Stagliano attend 4moms launch of a self-installing car seat at Petersen Automotive Museum on August 4, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images“I heard noise behind me. I turned around to see Stephen following me into my garage. [Our daughter] had been left alone sitting in his car with the engine running. I tried to shut my garage door. Stephen pushed my garage door upward so that it would not close. I shouted at Stephen to get out of my garage. Stephen refused to leave,” Pappas added.
The ex-reality star claimed she went inside and locked the door, but after hearing more noise in the garage, she returned outside.
“Stephen took his hands, grabbing me, and then forcefully shoved me. He pushed my back again. In fear that he would hurt me, I immediately went back inside the house and locked the door while I waited for the police to arrive,” Pappas wrote.
Stephen Stagliano and DeAnna Pappas attend the 2nd annual “Night of a Billion Reality Stars” bash at SupperClub Los Angeles on March 29, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. FilmMagicShe alleged Stagliano called the police, who arrived around midnight. She also claimed the officers told her that her ex had accused her of being drunk and was pressing charges for domestic violence.
“Stephen had told the Sheriff that I was the aggressor who assaulted him, which was false,” she said.
“At no point was I asked to take an alcohol test, despite Stephen’s allegations,” she continued. “In fact, the officer who arrested me showed no concern about my being intoxicated whatsoever.”
However, Pappas stated that she voluntarily submitted to drug and alcohol testing after making, which she claimed she passed.
Former “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” contestant DeAnna Pappas and then-fiance Stephen Stagliano attend 46NYC’s Alex’s Lemonade Stand to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer, at Merchants’ Gate, Central Park on August 29, 2010 in New York City. Getty ImagesIn her restraining order filing, she asked that Stagliano be ordered to stay 100 yards away from her.
The Post has reached out to law enforcement and Pappas’ reps for comment.
Allegations of drinking could impact Pappas’ and Stagliano’s joint custody arrangement, which dictated that the pair are prohibited from drinking around their children. “[N]either party shall drink alcohol in excess of the legal limit during their custody periods, or have a child and/or children in their custody and control when being intoxicated,” the agreement mandated.
DeAnna Pappas in a promo still for “The Bachelorette” Season 4. Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
DeAnna Pappas and ex-husband Stephen Stagliano. Instagram/DeAnna PappasThe exes also agreed to refrain from using narcotics for 12 hours before or during their time with their children.
A former real estate agent, Pappas competed to win Brad Womack’s heart on “The Bachelor” Season 11 in 2007. After being eliminated in week 8, she went on to become ABC’s fourth “Bachelorette.” She ended the series by getting engaged to Jesse Csincsak, but the pair broke up less than a year later.
DeAnna Pappas and ex-husband Stephen Stagliano. Instagram/DeAnna Pappas
In January 2023, Pappas announced that she and Stagliano were divorcing. Instagram/DeAnna PappasPappas met Stagliano, whose twin brother Michael competed on “The Bachelorette” Season 5, at a Bachelor Nation event in 2009 and began dating.
The couple married in October 2011, but in January 2023, Pappas announced that she and Stagliano were divorcing.
“It is with immense sadness, Stephen & I have decided to end our relationship as a couple,” she wrote in a statement on Instagram. “We have been working hard for a long time — both as a married couple & as individuals & have come to the conclusion to remain separate.
Pappas concluded, “We remain loving parents to our beautiful children, Addison & Austin, & will continue to raise them together with love & faith.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.






