In the premiere episode, you say that you don’t want to be lonely anymore. What has frustrated you with the dating scene before you joined The Bachelor?
It’s not that, because honestly, I haven’t been involved in the dating scene. I was in a seven-year relationship, and then after that, it took a toll on me to where I just isolated myself for a while because I wanted a meaningful relationship. I didn’t want to enter in something that didn’t mean anything, and then I didn’t want to enter in something that meant something and then ended, because it hurts.
So it’s not that I was frustrated with the dating pool, I just wanted to be patient, because good things come when you’re patient. So I was patient, and then it just so happened that I was asked to be the Bachelor. So it worked out. And I learned it’s okay to have a period of loneliness for a while, because it builds character and it helps you grow and realize what you want.
What did you learn from that seven-year relationship that you absolutely need going forward?
I think the one thing that I realized moving forward is, aside from somebody like a lover, I want a best friend. I want somebody who, it doesn’t matter if we’re dressed up or dressed down, I could be around you 24/7. And obviously we’re going to need our space. But a friendship is important, trust is important, communication is important. And there’s so many people out here, to find somebody that you have that with, it means a lot. So that’s why I really took my time. And I think that the season shows what maybe a period of isolation or waiting could do for somebody, and what happens on the other end of that.
There’s a twist with the first impression rose this season, so how did you feel about that, and did it impact who you were going to give it to?
Night one, I was so excited that when I found out the new change that happened, I was like, “Let’s go. Let’s do it.” It didn’t change how I approached it because it’s already a high stakes, high pressure situation. I just was myself, and I was hoping that the ladies were just themselves also. And guess what? They were, and it really worked out. And I think that it was a great way to do it. It’s a great twist, and it worked out the way it was supposed to.
What do you make of the women who were extremely forward with you in their entrances, like Zoe putting your faces on a T-shirt and then making sure the other women saw it? Does that turn you off?
No, I think sometimes you got to shoot your shot. I think there has to be a balance of forwardness, but you can’t be too forward. I think that what the ladies did and the way they presented themselves, whether they had a T-shirt gun, or brought a llama, or brought chips and salsa, I think that it spoke to each personality. I think they did a great job.
Is Zoe going to be the most talked about contestant this season? Because she was staking her territory pretty much immediately.
I think Zoe’s going to be a really forward personality, as a lot of the women are. I think that a lot of the women brought.
The Bachelor airs Mondays on ABC at 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. CT and streams the next day on Hulu.
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