Conference Call with Chantal and Chris Harrison!


In this recent ABC conference call, Bachelor host Chris Harrison and Chantal O'Brien answer some tough questions. Here are the highlights...

Regarding the Women Tell All, what was going through your head when the girls just kind of relentlessly kept going at Michelle.
Chris Harrison: You know, it's interesting.  I have had a lot - you know, a lot of people talked about you know, is it a good thing to defend her, or maybe I shouldn't have, and I was too easy and I got duped by her.  And she was just acting.  And, you know, I just take it like - I guess I just - I guess I just call them like I see them.  And I can only react to what I feel in that moment...But at that time, this girl was just destroyed.  And she was distraught.  And I know people have said she was faking it.  And I'm like believe me, if you were sitting there, this girl was not faking it.  You know, she was literally shaking and hyperventilating.  And that was the main thing.  She really couldn't catch her breath and talk.


It came out during the Bachelor After the Rose about Brad's temper.  You spent a lot of time with him.  Did you ever experience it? 
Chris Harrison: I did not.  Although why would anyone ever be mad at me?  So - no.  But you know, what's funny.  You brought up a good point.  I would love to talk about that.  And Emily felt bad.  We talked about this immediately after.  As I was saying good-bye to them.  She's like I feel bad, you know, that I said that word...And let me tell you something about sweet Emily.  You know, sweet little Emily can handle herself, too.  And she's stubborn as a mule.  So they both you know, have - they butt heads.  And they have these knockdown drag-out fights.  And were getting into it like you know, normal couples do.  But, you know, when she brings it public and says that, I think immediately everybody thinks, oh my God, he's like yelling at her.  He is verbally abusive.  And he's a bad guy....You know, it's not the case at all.


Were you surprised that Brad chose Emily in the end?
Chris Harrison: You know, I wasn't at all.  I wasn't surprised who the final two were.  I wasn't surprised at you know, Emily ending up with the final rose.  Well she would have ended up with the final rose if we had shown it. But, you know, from the moment she got out of the limo, Brad took a liking to Emily.  You know, they just had something that was a little different.  And it's not to say you know, look, Brad, if you ask him, he'll tell you from the moment she got out of the limo, she was the only one. 


Were you surprised that Emily and Brad broke up briefly? 
Chris Harrison: It was, you know, several weeks after we shot in South Africa is really when the show started airing that it became a big problem.  Part of that was self-admittedly, you know, Emily's insecurity of watching Brad on the show.  And watching him with Chantal in particular.  And obviously that is something you can talk to her about in a little bit.

Are you excited about the decision for Ashley H to be the next bachelorette?
Chris Harrison: Absolutely.  I love it... She has this great charisma and charm.  And just puts everybody at ease.  She's a professional woman, which I also love.  Because I don't think - I was trying to think back.  We really haven't had a true professional woman as our Bachelorette before.  You know, someone who's career is so important to them.  And so they're so good at it. 

Conference call with Chantal O'Brien 

What was your family's reaction when they found out that it wasn't you in the end?
Chantal O'Brien:  My family was pretty shocked.  When they met Brad you know, they definitely had the feeling that he would be proposing to me.  And I - and, you know, my dad would have given his blessing had he not got that.  So I think everyone was a little surprised at the outcome.

Were you surprised to hear about the problems that Emily and Brad were having?
Chantal O'Brien:  Yes.  I actually was really shocked.  And honestly, I had no idea until watching along with you guys last night.  Because I was kept in a separate room.  So I didn't see their filming.  So I was very surprised.

So as the runner up, you were in the prime position to be the next Bachelorette.  Do you think you would have done the show if you weren't in this relationship that you are in now?
Chantal O'Brien: I definitely would have loved to do the show had I not been in a relationship.  I think it's an amazing opportunity.  And  if you're really real about how I was about wanting to find that person to spend your life with it's definitely a different way of doing it.  But I believe it can work.    

No comments: