A pixel says a thousand words. Four of which, in newly single Bachelorette Jillian Harris' case, appear to be: gimme my ring back.
The latest love-seeking reality pawn (turned videogame character!) to find herself back on the market got a dose of tough love today, when ABC reportedly went all Emily Post on their former star, hinting that it would be less than ladylike behavior to not willingly relinquish her $60,000 engagement bauble now that the wedding was off.
And just in case she's not one for etiquette, well, they had that covered, too.
It's in her contract.
Apparently, Jillian's love with Ed Swiderski not only didn't last—it didn't last long enough to contractually allow her to keep the beautiful Neil Lane monstrosity that she accepted on the fifth season finale of The Bachelorette.
Let this be a lesson: always read the fine print, kids. Even especially when it comes to true love.
"I do not have any knowledge of Jillian returning her engagement ring to ABC," Jillian's rep told E! News. "However, in the event of a breakup of a Bachelor/ette couple, the agreement with the show's producers is to return the ring.
"Jillian Harris is one of the most integrous people you can find, and on all accounts I have no doubt she has and will do the honorable thing."
And soon, unless she wants this split to get even uglier, though for now she's in pretty good company, as a source tells E! News that Vienna Girardi, the former apple of Jake Pavelka's eye, also has yet to return her diamond.
"They always have to give it back to the network," the source said. "I don't think they have received Jillian's yet, but they will."
In the meantime, though the once and future Bachelorette has already proven that relationships forged in reality shows aren't exactly her forte, she might want to try her luck at relationships forged in virtual reality.
Next Tuesday, due to despite popular demand, ABC will release The Bachelor: The Videogame on Wii and Nintendo DS.
Players will take on the role of suitor and do their best to woo Jake, Jillian, Trista Sutter, Jason Mesnick, Andy Baldwin, Ali Fedotowsky, or select former Bachelors and Bachelorettes in the game by competing in romantic challenges, going head-to-head with other players for the affections of the stars and even sabotaging the dates of others.
Odd choice for a videogame to be sure, but not entirely unprecedented. After all, we're pretty sure by now this group knows what it's like to be played.
—Reporting by Whitney English
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Now onto the important stuff: are you Team Jake or Team Vienna? Vote now!