Chris Bukowski Speaks Out on Crashing The Bachelorette Premiere: "It Was Pretty Unfortunate"

Exclusive! The reality star, who competed on Emily Maynard's season of the ABC series as well as Bachelor Pad, told E! News he thought Andi "was really pretty and really smart"

The one guy getting all of the attention after The Bachelorette's season premiere? The only guy who wasn't actually supposed to be there.

Though only 25 men were selected to compete for Andi Dorfman's heart, Monday's episode saw the unexpected return of a familiar face, who showed up in an attempt to once again compete on the ABC reality hit: Chris Bukowski, from Emily Maynard's season, as well as Bachelor Pad! During the opening night cocktail party, Chris showed up and asked producers to let him speak to Andi. Unfortunately, the Bachelorette chose not to let him join the show.

So why was Chris so intent on once again competing on The Bachelorette, even flying himself out to Los Angeles and camping outside of the mansion for a week while waiting for filming to begin?  

"I was initially interested in meeting her towards the end of Juan Pablo's season. I thought she was really pretty and really smart," Chris exclusively explained to E! News of why he attempted to join the competition for Andi's heart. "So I started talking to the producers about the idea of me showing up there. At the time, it was something I wanted."

But come on, did Chris really think he would be able to join the cast? Hey, Kacie B. was able to do it during Sean Lowe's season after competing for Ben Flajnik's love. (He ended up sending her home shortly after.)

"Yeah, I was ready to go," Chris told us. "I had a suitcase full of suits and everything. I was ready."

Though Chris Harrison went inside and told Andi that the decision on whether or not to allow Chris into the mansion was up to her, the brunette beauty ultimately said no, explaining it was unfair to the 25 contestants. "I can't do that to them," she said.

"It was pretty unfortunate," Chris said of Andi choosing not to even speak with him. "In any situation where someone flies across the country for you, you should at least walk outside to talk to them."

And Chris also questioned her reasoning for not letting him compete, saying, "I don't know what that means. We all flew out there, we all stayed in hotels. I don't understand that reasoning."

Fortunately, Chris isn't holding any grudges against Andi, telling us, "It's in the past. No hard feelings, I'm over it." Proving just how OK he  was with the rejection, Chris tweeted Andi after the premiere, telling her she "looked amazing," and joking that he "should have went through the back entrance."

And no, you have "definitely not" seen the last of  the 27-year-old sports lounge owner on reality TV, Chris assured us. 

The Bachelorette airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC.