Bachelor Nation’s appeared to soft launch a new relationship on Christmas.
“We got everything we wanted this year. Hope you did too,” Allio, 40, captioned an Instagram video on Wednesday, December 25. “Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays friends. Here’s to the best year yet.”
In the clip, Allio could be seen decorating a Christmas tree with his 8-year-old son, James. While putting up the ornaments, an unidentified woman walks into the frame with the assist. Fans were quick to comment about this apparent new romance for the Bachelor in Paradise alum. (Allio shares son James with late wife Laura, who died in 2019 following a battle with breast cancer.)
“Loooooove seeing you and your son happy,” one commenter wrote. Another added, “Hoping whoever she is she brings you and your son happiness.”
also shared a comment, writing, “Merry Christmas guys!”
Allio made his Bachelor Nation debut during ’s Bachelorette season. Following his elimination from the show, he went on the eighth season of Bachelor in Paradise, which aired in 2022.
During his tenure on the beach, Allio kicked off a relationship with . While they didn’t get engaged when the season came to an end, the duo left Mexico as a couple. One year after their love story played out on TV, the former couple announced their split.
“I guess I’ll just come out with it. We’re not together anymore,” Allio said during a September 2023 episode of ’s “Trading Secrets” podcast. “It’s not what we planned. We both threw a lot into this relationship and it’s really awful when it doesn’t work out.”
He added, “You mourn the loss not of just that person and that friend in your life, but also the future that you had envisioned. And it’s to no fault of hers.”
Allio said that Maltby, 39, “poured everything” into their relationship but things didn’t work out in the end.
Maltby, for her part, clarified Allio’s statement when publicly addressing their breakup.
“This breakup was not a mutual decision arriving at some perception of incompatibilities,” she shared via social media days after Allio talked about their split. “However, I do hope the best for Michael, and I will always have [his son] James in my heart as we move forward separately.”
She added, “I know so many people were rooting for Michael and I, and I appreciate your support so much. I don’t regret the love I gave for a second.”