Because she’s been there and done that, literally, former Bachelor contestant/tear fountain Ashley Iaconetti is recapping this season of The Bachelor for Cosmopolitan. With insider insight as well as a clear eye for what’s going down both in front of and behind the cameras, read on for her thoughts.
This post contains spoilers for last night’s episode of The Bachelor.
My parents obviously don’t want me to experience sadness or heartbreak. (Or see me mope around after a heartbreak, for that matter.) But they’re far more interested in protecting me from physical harm, bad people, and stupid decisions. My mom has always been genuinely sad for me when I’ve been sick with a broken heart, but my dad’s always, always brushed it off like it’s part of life and growing, which it is. I’ve been through some nasty heartbreak—the kind in which you wake up with a hole-like feeling in your gut for months. But I never thought of taking myself out of the game. I know the experience made me stronger.
I’ve always been confused why hometown episodes are more about shielding a kid from heartbreak and less about getting to know The Bachelor. My mom and dad have always been more concerned about the character of the guys that my sister and I are dating and less of the potential of them breaking up with us.
Another thing I’m just not sure I understand is why The Bachelor has to ask the dad for permission to have his daughter’s hand in marriage during hometown visits. Why can’t he just be like, “Hey, man, can I get your number so if I do decide to propose to your daughter, I can call you then?” Oh, actually I know why they ask the dads at hometowns…because this is a TV show!
After having Jared ask my dad for his blessing, I had a different point of view on this week’s episode. I’d feel like that lovely, traditional question would be so tarnished if my dad was asked by a guy who was dating three other women. I would actually kind of hope my dad would say, “No, but you can ask me again later.” That’s what Lauren Bushnell’s dad did with Ben Higgins. I respect Cassie’s dad for not giving Colton his clearance during this episode.
Cassie’s whole segment made me feel nervous for Colton. She was vague about her feelings when they were at the beach during the day and then again after they left her home, even though she said the family visit helped bring clarity to her feelings. Cassie very much wanted her dad to take the future of her relationship seriously, but I’m not sure how seriously she feels about Colton. (I would comment on her sister chat, but they’re both so pretty that I was distracted by their genes.)
I don’t think it’s a bad thing that she’s not ready to say she’s in love with him. It’s only been six weeks and some people move slowly. I think a lot of people say “I love you” on this show and realize in hindsight, when they’ve been removed from The Bachelor bubble, that it was more of an infatuation and they were more in love with the idea of someone.
Last night, Cassie acted the same way I have in the past with guys who like me more than I like them. There was a lot of resistance on her end. Her smile didn’t hit her eyes. When I smile and mean it, my mouth turns up. When I smile when I’m faking it, my mouth stretches toward my ears.
Was Tayisha an adrenaline junkie before they went bungee jumping a few weeks ago, or is this a new development? Setting up a skydiving session in Southern California seemed like part two of their bungee date. I know doing risky activities together can boast the bonding chemical in your brain. Maybe this was her intent. Her parents didn’t seem phased by the activity of choice. It sure was more of an exhilarating activity in comparison to ice cream and a manners class.
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…But did you die!?! 🤷🏽♀️🤕😂 @coltonunderwood
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In five years when I think back on this episode, I’m sure I won’t remember anything other than the bread and butter conversation. You’re telling me I’m supposed to rip the bread like a muffin and butter each piece individually as I eat. Fuck, no, I will not do that. How about dem apples, Miss Manners? If I was ever at dinner with someone doing that, I would politely ask what in the hell they were doing because I’d be disturbed by it.
After that scene, everything was dandy with Hannah G. I was left wondering if she was an only child because she only had her cousins and friends there. Her parents seemed friendly after their divorce—in fact, it wasn’t until writing this paragraph that I remembered the conversation Hannah and Colton had about her parents’ split during their one-on-one date.
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So I think we just got photobombed by @chrisbharrison?? 🌹😵 loved getting to see my freaking amazing fam jam on tv last night. Was also relieved my terrible rapping skills didn’t traumatize @coltonunderwood too much
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The scene in which Hannah raps in the credits made me annoyed that we don’t often see these kind of fun, real, personality-revealing moments during The Bachelor, which I think is the show’s biggest flaw. What did we see more of though?! More concern from her cousins about Hannah’s heart potentially being broken. She’s hot AF and 23 years old—she’ll make it through if a breakup is in her future and excel as The Bachelorette or in Bachelor in Paradise.
If there was a hometown date at my house, you would see my mom telling me, “Say his name without smiling.” That’s her test to see if we really like someone. If we can’t keep a straight face, the crush is real. My sister and cousin would be talking about how hot he is. My aunt would be saying that all men suck. My other aunt would be drunk. My dad would be saying, “Is this over yet?”
My dad and Jared have a great relationship. They go to guys’ dinners and golf, but I don’t think my dad would ever be like, “Jared, would you like to go into the living room to talk?” I think the formula that is hometowns week is just getting old for me.
Caelynn goes home this week, which was obvious to me after seeing she was the only girl that Colton didn’t say he was falling in love with during this episode. Her family was sweet with her stepdad being the standout mush ball. It was truly touching when she said how much she appreciated him and considered him to be her father in every way.
Remember the whole drama last week when Caelynn and Cassie were accused of being more excited over influencer life, parties, and the possibility of being Bachelorette? Let’s revisit this issue now that we have more to go off of: Caelynn seemed genuinely into Colton and planning her life with him and appeared sincerely upset to have to say good-bye.
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Wow, it’s a weird thing watching yourself fall in love on TV. These past few months have been really difficult. I put my whole heart on the line and I fell in love with an incredible man in the strangest way. Colton, thank you. You constantly pushed me and challenged me, and I walked away from all of this a better person. Mom, John, and the entire fam, thanks for going through this wild journey with me. I love you all, and am so thankful you could be there during this. No matter what happened, this was the best experience of my life and I came out stronger. Thank you all for letting me share my life with you. I appreciate the love and support ❤️
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The speculation over Cassie’s intentions seem to have even more merit this week when we see her so unsure of her feelings. Caelynn gets even more emotional in the Women Tell All hot seat, which you’ll see next week, than she did in this episode’s exit. I know this because I was at the taping this past Friday. I’m interested to know how you guys interpret this next Tuesday night.
Oh, and the fence jump is on Monday, guys. I’ll just say, it was worth the wait.
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