ABC held a media conference call with Ed and Jillian and then Kiptyn Locke and Reid Rosenthal Thanks to Film.com reporter Pamela Sitt, here’s what they said.
What was with the outfit you wore to propose to Jillian?
I’ve been asked that every 5 seconds. I was making a fashion statement! Just kidding. I was in a huge rush to get back and I didn’t have time to do laundry. I didn’t know what was in my luggage. I literally flew back to Hawaii and didn’t have any clean clothes. I got there wearing linen pants and sneakers and when I showed up, I guess I looked really bad so I had to put on one of Chris Harrison’s jackets. So that’s basically what went down.What happened with the ring? The producers didn’t give you one?
No, they flew me to Philadelphia. When they sent me back [to Hawaii], they flew me through L.A. and I went and got a ring. I spent as much as I could at the time, and I flew back to Hawaii.Were you able to return the ring?
I was able to return it, yes.
When you proposed to Jillian, did you envision it would be as simple as, you showed up, profess your love and you two would run off?
I don’t know what I was thinking at the time. I was a little stressed out. I guess I thought there was no competition if I came back and told her how I felt. I almost felt it was a test on her part. But I guess it wasn’t. She even said at the [After the Final Rose] taping she would have sent Kiptyn home and it would have been between me and Ed.Did you know Kiptyn had already been there?
I don’t remember. I really was in my own world and kind of nervous and really didn’t think there was any competition. I wasn’t thinking about any of that.After seeing them at After the Final Rose, have you changed your mind about Jillian’s chemistry with Ed?
A little bit. I think she was legitimately torn. She might even still be torn a little bit. I think because he met her parents and Ed asked her dad for her hand in marriage, that does something to a daughter, and I wasn’t there for that. I’m sure that made a huge difference.What was the second half of that question to Jillian [at ATFR]?
I was going to ask who she had the most fun with in the fantasy suite, Ed or Kiptyn. But because I stopped myself, it made it look like I was going to ask about the big thing everyone made a big deal about with Ed, which I don’t think it really happened like that but I don’t know since I wasn’t there. I had some serious questions, and I was just going to ask that one funny question.Do you have closure or do you still love her?
I think at this point, I definitely have strong feelings for her, but like I said at the taping I think everything happens for a reason and I’ve always thought that way. And that helps me have closure right there.When are you planning to get back into the dating game?
Probably pretty soon. Immediately.Would you want to be the next Bachelor?
I have been thinking about it and I am not sure yet.What would you say are the upsides and downsides to being the Bachelor?
The upside is you have 25 girls coming after you which is never a bad thing. I think I trust the process at this point although it’s a little unnatural. The downside is it’s a ton of work, so it’s gonna be really hard to figure out how to keep my business and at the same time do that. The first time around I lost some business. And the whole Bachelor stigma, for the rest of your life you’re that guy.When you meet a girl will you tell her how you feel sooner in the relationship?
You obviously have to open up and tell people who you feel, but it’s a little different when you have a controlled situation with 25 guys going after the same girl. But I am more open, so I guess that’s a yes.How has your family reacted?
My mom reads all the blogs. She gets on the blogs and starts believing the bloggers more than her own son. Overall, they’re happy with everything. You know with reality TV, you can come off looking like an idiot sometimes, and I think I was true to myself and I was happy with the way I was portrayed.Are you gonna go out with that girl from AFTR?
She was cute, really cute, but she was younger than 21! I would say 22 is my cutoff.
Are you interested in being the next Bachelor?
It’s something I’d think about. I think it’s a good opportunity. I do believe in the process, having gone through the Bachelorette. It’s something I’d consider.How are you feeling now?
The biggest thing is that Jillian’s happy. I’m happy for her. That’s ultimately what we all wanted, is for her to be happy. Being that she is really on Cloud 9, I think it’s a good thing.You had your heart broken for the first time. Was it all worth it?
It definitely was worth it. I think I learned a lot about myself through the process. It makes you stronger. I definitely have no regrets.Have you started dating again?
I have not. I was waiting for all this to blow over and then we’ll see what happens.Had you watched Jason’s season with Jillian on it?
I started watching about halfway through. And that’s kind of why I said yes to doing it.How did you apply?
A mutual friend of someone who was a recruiter for the show passed on my information, and they called me.What’s your abs routine?
Oh man! You know what, I don’t really have one. I just try and do something active every day and eat OK.Do you get recognized now, and are women starting to propose to you?
Propose to me? Propose to get to know me. I’ve been recognized a little bit. It’s all been really positive, so it’s been a good thing. I’ve gotten a few interesting emails, but definitely not anything too forward or inappropriate by any means. If anything it’s been flattering.How much do you think the emotions you end up feeling are a result of being placed in this bubble with nothing else to think about other than [Jillian]?
It’s a really good question. It’s something I was aware of and I may have even overthought it. It’s really necessary that you step back and try to separate falling in love with the process versus falling in love with the girl. I’m confident that my feelings were real.Do you feel shortchanged that you weren’t part of the drama or twists of this season?
I don’t feel shortchanged that I wasn’t involved in any of the drama or strange twists. I was just being real to myself and honest with Jillian. It didn’t make for anything crazy or exciting or blood-boiling, but it made for a real relationship and that’s what I wanted out of this.What did you think of the Wes-Jake controversy?
I was close with both Wes and Jake and I don’t want to take sides. I will say that I think Wes is a much better guy than was communicated. I think that it was a tough situation, but Jill is a very smart woman who has a pretty good read on people. I’m not saying that I would hook him up with my own sister, but I also think he’s a much better guy than what’s portrayed, and he’ll be a friend of mine.
ABC has not yet decided who will be the next bachelor. My vote: Reid. Kiptyn would be okay, but if it’s Jake, I won’t be watching.