Did you fill out a bracket? Who do you think will be the winner? These two questions are all too common with March Madness now upon us, but they are quickly becoming popular questions for loyal fans of ABC’s reality series “The Bachelor” as well.
As the 20th season of “The Bachelor” ended on Monday, March 14, the results of the season finale stunned fans across the nation. Ben Higgins, this season’s bachelor, told the two final women that he loved them, a “Bachelor” first according to ABC. In the end, many fans were heartbroken when Joelle “JoJo” Fletcher was sent home without a rose or a ring. According to TV Series Finale, there were over 9.5 million viewers watching the season finale and the show had an overall season average of 8 million viewers.
Alumna Rachel Tchen, a 2014 graduate, was a contestant on “The Bachelor” this season until she was sent home in week four. According to Tchen, this opportunity was perfect for her because she loves meeting new people and traveling to new places.
“Being a part of ‘The Bachelor’ was one of the most amazing experiences of my life,” Tchen said. “I learned so much about myself and what I want out of life and in relationships.”
Tchen said that the rose ceremonies in which Higgins sent contestants home were very stressful and nerve-racking.
“Rose ceremonies and cocktail parties lasted many hours a lot of times,” Tchen said. “Long enough to make any pair of heels uncomfortable.”
According to Tchen, the contestants are not allowed to comment on whether or not certain moments from the show are scripted or natural.
Tchen said that her favorite part about being on the show was unplugging from the rest of the world and getting to know the other girls in the house.
“I think so many of us are so caught up in social media that it keeps us from having deeper and closer relationships with each other,” Tchen said.
While many fans may have been disappointed by Ben’s breakup with JoJo, others were thrilled with his proposal to Lauren Bushnell. Tchen said that she thinks the two make a beautiful couple and that she wishes them the best.
For those who were “Team JoJo,” her love story is not over yet. The season finale was followed by “The Bachelor: After the Final Rose,” when JoJo was announced as the next “Bachelorette.” According to ABC, the 12th season of “The Bachelorette” is set to premiere on Monday, May 23.
