This week’s episode of The Bachelor was, by Ben Flajnik’s own estimation, a “sh*tstorm.” Crying, yelling, name-calling, threat-making … this week’s cocktail party had them all!
But before all that happened, contestant Brittney Schreiner kicked off the night’s shocking moments by quitting the race for Ben before she’d even really started. When her first one-on-one date card arrived, Brittney said she felt more “torn and confused” than excited, so she packed her bags and left without even giving the date, or Ben, a shot.
And Brittney’s reasons for quitting didn’t quite add up. First she said the connection with Ben wasn’t there. Then she said it was hard “not knowing” what connection there could have been. Then she said she didn’t “deserve” Ben. Then she said the Bachelor process “wasn’t for her.” Whatever the reason, Brittney up and left so suddenly that she certainly didn’t seem torn. But confused? Yes, indeed.
In a conference call with the media yesterday, Brittney elaborated on her decision to leave the show. She also talked about whether it was her idea or her grandmother’s (whom she brought to the first cocktail party) to audition, which Bachelor she’d rather date than Ben, what she thinks of Ben’s hair and more:
On why she didn’t go on her one-on-one date and at least give Ben a shot:
You know, I thought about that, and that’s exactly why I was torn. I thought, “If I don’t give it a try, I’ll never know,” but there was something that didn’t feel right. I wanted to be up front and honest with Ben. I don’t think we were connecting on that level. I could’ve gone, but I didn’t wanna take that opportunity away from another woman. I decided to do a very selfless act and make the harder decision.
On why she chose to go on The Bachelor, and whether the idea was her own or her grandmother’s:
I made my own decision in the hopes of finding love and it was my idea to go onto The Bachelor. I knew of The Bachelor because of my grandma, and we would watch episodes together. We watched Brad’s season together, but she really didn’t even know I was applying for it until later on. That’s when I came up with the idea of, “Hey, why don’t you come with me since you’re such a big fan, and you love Ben, and I need to make a really big first impression. So, let’s kind of do this together.” So that’s how that kind of played out.
On how she felt toward Ben on the first night:
I really did get there and think Ben was not for me. I don’t think I’m right for Ben. I think it was a two-way street, but my grandma was extremely excited because she’s such a huge fan of the show and I really brought her on to stand out from the crowd and to capture his attention. Ben’s really close to his family and I’m really close to my family as well, so it wasn’t about so much my grandma. It was a little addition to the process in that I thought it would make it a little bit more special.
On her grandmother’s reaction to her leaving the show:
She was surprised, just like everyone else. She really wanted it to work out because she is such a big fan of Ben and the show. She was understanding of my decision.
On how she felt when Ben’s one-on-one date invitation arrived:
I think because my heart wasn’t in it, I wasn’t as excited as the other girls, and I wasn’t being as aggressive. So, it really came down to a make or break for me. […] It started right after the second Rose Ceremony. I really had to dig deep, and it dawned on me that I just shouldn’t be here and I don’t want to take that experience away from anyone else. It was a hard decision, like I said. It was a completely selfless act, but I wanted the best for Ben, so I decided that now is as good a time as any, and San Francisco is Ben’s hometown. So the last thing I want to do is take away a one-on-one date in his hometown. Even though the date was amazing, I’m really glad he had a good time with Lindzi [Cox]. They looked like they were connecting very well and I’m happy for them.
On which girls she thinks could be right for Ben:
Kacie B is such a sweetheart. I had a chance to talk to her and she’s just an amazing girl. When I talked to her on the show, she was just very down to earth, very genuine. I also liked Emily, we hit it off really well, and I think she would be a good fit for Ben as well, and then Lindzi and Nicki are also great girls and have a lot going for them.
On what she thinks of Ben’s hair:
[Laughs] That’s hilarious. I think Ben’s hair is okay. I definitely do not usually go for that type of hairstyle, but it seems to be working for him.
On what the other girls thought of Ben’s hair:
I would say the only one, as of now, that was in love with it that I saw was probably Courtney. But we didn’t really talk a lot about his hair. We talked a lot about more of his father abilities and who he was as a person rather than his physical characteristics.
On which Bachelor she thinks she’d have a better connection with:
I think Brad. I’m really drawn to Brad from what I’ve seen of him on both seasons that he was on TV. I think there’s just something there that I’m drawn to, so he would have to be my only pick as of now.
(Image courtesy of ABC)
Senior Writer, BuddyTV
Meghan hails from Walla Walla, WA, the proud home of the world’s best sweet onions and Adam West, the original Batman. An avid grammarian and over-analyzer, you can usually find her thinking too hard about plot devices in favorites like The Office, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and How I Met Your Mother. In her spare time, Meghan enjoys drawing, shopping, trying to be funny (and often failing), and not understanding the whole Twilight thing. She’s got a BA in English and Studio Art from Whitman College, which makes her a professional arguer, daydreamer, and doodler.
