Chris Harrison On Why Becca Tilley Wasn’t Right For ‘Bachelorette,’ Maintains Both Britt Nilsson And Kaitlyn Bristowe Have Major Fan Support
Chris Harrison dropped a big bombshell during Monday night’s The Bachelor: After the Final Rose show when he announced that both Britt Nilsson and Kaitlyn Bristowe will be vying to be the next Bachelorette, a decision that will ultimately be decided by the men on night one. In an interview with TV Guide the next day, host Chris Harrison explained why Becca didn’t get the Bachelorette gig and defended the show’s decision to have both Britt and Kaitlyn possibly be the next Bachelorette.
Chris said that Becca, who admits to have never been in love and may not recognize what it feels like, just wasn’t ready to be the next Bachelorette. He made clear that the show needs a stronger character.
“It was a down-to-the-wire, heated debate, and Becca was a part of the debate too. But we all came to the realization that it made no sense. This girl is not ready to take charge and be the Bachelorette. You have to be clear about what you want and even if you’re really ready, it’s a tough, grueling task emotionally.”
The producers’ decision to not go with Becca as the Bachelorette may have also had something to do with the fact that she just isn’t that dramatic. Right after Monday night’s finale, Becca lashed out at those who criticized her for not being as emotional as many of the other women who have appeared on the franchise.
I do cry. I do laugh. I do have emotions.
— Becca Tilley (@beccatilley5) March 10, 2015
While some of the other women who were sent home way earlier broke out in hysterics and cried, Becca Tilley barely even shed a tear when she was sent home on the finale. Her reunion with Chris Soules at the After the Final Rose special was also polite and cordial. Host Chris Harrison described their reunion to TVGuide as “such a non-starter.”
As for the heated debate about having both Kaitlyn Bristowe and Britt Nilsson be on the next The Bachelorette, at least for the first night, Chris H. maintains that the show just couldn’t decide to go with only one of them since both have a lot of fan support. He also said that the intense debate that the twist has created shows that it’s the right move.
“On my Twitter feed, I get absolute avid fans for both. They both have rabid fans, but it’s almost mean out there. The responses today have been just that. Some are happy, but I’m not sure what is so polarizing about these girls that’s driving everybody crazy — which makes me realize we made the right choice.”
When asked if he heard people booing Britt at the Bachelor: After the Final Rose special, Chris chalked it up to people just not expecting her.
“I totally did. This is what’s funny. Obviously people saw spoilers that Kaitlyn was the Bachelorette, so their [sic] thinking was that I’m setting them up to cheer for Kaitlyn. But everybody was wrong. When we say we hadn’t made a decision even though we had talked to them, we really hadn’t. So because everybody assumed it was Kaitlyn, they cheered a little more knowing she was backstage. I think the fake spoilers set up that moment. But I definitely heard a couple of boos and I loved it. I was laughing.”
While Chris Harrison maintains that the fans are equally divided between Kaitlyn Bristowe and Britt Nilsson, others, including some from within The Bachelor family, have questioned that assertion. Molly Mesnick, who married the Season 13 Bachelor star Jason Mesnick, posted a questioning tweet.
The entire internet tells me #BachelorNation is #TeamKaitlyn Every article, every comment. How was this a 50/50 decision?
— Molly Mesnick (@MollyMesnick) March 10, 2015
As previously reported by the Inquisitr, former Bachelorettes Emily Maynard, Desiree Hartsock, and Andi Dorfman have all voiced opposition to having two women vie for the position.
[Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images]
