Editor's Note: Season six Bachelorette and current host of NBC's 1st Look Ali Fedotowsky is blogging exclusively on E! Online about the current season of The Bachelorette, giving her reactions and spilling behind-the-scenes secrets.
I want to start this blog by talking about Desiree as a person. I met her for the first time this past weekend and I can't say enough good things about her. Even if she doesn't find love on this show (though I'm pretty sure she did based on how happy she was when I met her), it's okay because I totally fell in love with her! She is that girl next door and so not affected by the attention that can come along with being the Bachelorette. It was super refreshing. So if you aren't watching this season…watch it! She's a great person and I wish her all the happiness in the world!
K, let's get into this episode. All I really have to say about Desiree's date with Brad is that it was super awkward. I don't think I need to explain why. You all saw it. They aren't a match.
The Mr. America group date was pure comedy. Some of the "talents" had me cracking up. It was honestly one of my favorite group dates ever. Tap dancing, walking in high heels, and Brooks being absolutely charming (and funny!) made it so fun to watch.
One thing I noticed during the group date is that Des always seems to be standing/sitting next to Chris. I find that VERY interesting. I kind of wonder if he could be the man in the end. I know I always found a way to stand next to Roberto during my season. Could be a sign. We shall see. Plus, the high heels for his talent portion was so endearing and dorky. I loved it!
Now let's talk about the real stars of this show, the couple that melted all of our hearts last night: Manny and Jan. I recently met Desiree and I have to say that it doesn't surprise me that she would give up a date in order to give something nice to two people who suffered a great loss. Desiree and James did a good thing and I am so glad that they set that good example for all the people watching the show. Giving to others in need is one of the most important things you can do in life. Manny and Jan's date was truly the best in Bachelor/ette history. I was crying like a baby while watching it. Their love for each other is the real deal.
After tonight I really have no idea who Desiree will pick, but I am still sticking with my belief that Brooks will be the next Bachelor—mostly because of how much screen time he got last night. The producers WANT us to fall in love with him. They want us to root for him so that we'll want to see him find love after his heart gets broken when Desiree doesn't choose him. However, from what you guys say on Twitter, Drew seems to be another fan favorite. So, assuming that Des doesn't end up with either of these guys (and I have a feeling she doesn't), I'll predict that our next Bachelor is either Brooks or Drew. Like I said last week, I still feel like she might have a connection with one of the other guys that we just haven't seen yet and for this reason, I am REALLY looking forward to next week. I feel like we are going to see some unexpected sparks fly on a one-on-one date. I'm guessing that person could be Chris. Like I said earlier, Desiree always seemed to find a way to be next to him during the group date last night. We shall see.
Last, but certainly not least... Twitter questions!
Robyn (@LLmom2509) asks @AliFedotowsky @eonline: What happens when you're on a date, like the Hollywood sign date, and you have to use the bathroom?!?
Ha. Good question. Well if you are up by the Hollywood sign your only real options are to go in the woods. But usually filming stops every few hours so everyone (including the crew) can go to the bathroom and take a break. The crew also needs to eat. I've had dates stopped right in the middle of them so the crew could go eat. I always liked when we had these little breaks. The producers would try to keep me separate from my date since the cameras weren't rolling, but I would always try to sneak and go see him!
Carrie (@MadduxC) asks @AliFedotowsky @eonline" do they let you get hair done, nails, or spray tans for dates?
Yes. At the beginning of the season the producers ask each Bachelor/ette what is the one "treatment" they would like throughout the season. I know Jillian said facials, Ashley loved massages, and I said spray tans. I remember being in Istanbul Turkey and driving for over an hour to go to a tanning place to get a spray tan. Ha! As you can imagine Turkey doesn't have too many tanning salons.
Carla (@carlallaneza) asks: Do you think a Bachelor/ette's parent's opinion should be given earlier in the show or is the timing just right?
I don't necessarily think the parents need to get involved sooner, but I do wish that I had the ability to call my friends and family throughout the show to get their advice. Don't get me wrong, Chris Harrison was great, but there were so many moments when I really needed to hear my mom and dad's voice or needed to confide in my bestie. I'm sure Desiree is starting to really miss her friends and family at this point in the show.
Sara (@sarbar2012) asks @alifedotowsky @eonline: does somebody tell Des to count to 10 in between each guys name announced at the Rose ceremony? #thebachelorette
10 seconds? Try 10 minutes. OK, I'm exaggerating. But Desiree is waiting closer to four to five minutes in between each rose. Why? The cameras need time to reposition and the cameras also need time to get the reactions of each guy waiting to see if they'll get a rose or not. And this waiting time results in the guys giving priceless facial expressions while they sweat it out for a little. The entire rose ceremony takes about an hour for the first few weeks of the show. The last few weeks are much shorter since there aren't as many guys.
Susan (@Mc2Goo) asks @aliFedotowsky @eonline: when do the blog diaries get written? Is it as the show is being taped and then it's public?
Desiree watches each episode about a week before it airs for all of us and then has a few days to write her blog before she has to turn it in to the producers. I write this blog while I'm watching the show with all of you.
I love answering your questions about the show and I hope you guys like hearing the little bits of behind-the-scenes info. If you have a question that you are dying to know the answer to, make sure to follow me on twitter at @alifedotowsky because I live-tweet during the show every week and may choose your question to answer in my blog next week.
Until next time…
Ali