Days after the fifth episode of The Bachelor season 18 aired, fans are still talking about the controversial Juan Pablo-Clare ocean rendezvous. In a nut shell, Clare showed up at Juan Pablo’s hotel for a swim at 4am, leaving the audience to interpret what really went down in the ocean. However, he later told her during the cocktail party that he never should have allowed it to happen. Clare, who claims she’s just looking for love, felt humiliated and broke down in tears. As if there wasn’t enough drama on The Bachelor, Juan Pablo took to his blog and admitted that he made a mistake with Clare while Bachelor host Chris Harrison called Juan Pablo out for his actions.
Here’s what Juan Pablo wrote on his blog on People:
“After the party I was relaxing in my room, watching baseball when someone knocked on my door. It was Clare. She came to thank me for the great day and she wanted to jump in the ocean for the first time with me. She was so happy that I didn’t want to reject her, but I definitely made a mistake. The next day I felt guilty because Clare got more time with me than the other women. I regretted giving Clare the extra time. Also, I didn’t think it was a good example for my daughter to watch daddy going into the ocean with a girl at night. I already had a great day with her and even taking her to my pool was something that I should not have done. Honestly, my mistake.”
Chris Harrison, on the other hand, doesn’t approve of Juan Pablo’s actions. In his interview with TV Guide, he basically called him rude.
“When she showed up he was fully into it like this is awesome and sexy and she was as happy as can be and then he turns around and treats her like all of a sudden she did something wrong and broke the rules. It was not only confusing, but it was borderline rude,” the Bachelor host said. “We even told him as much, but he didn’t see it that way. Even though he apologized later I don’t think he really understood how cheap he made her feel. In my deliberation I said, ‘You’re not getting this, you really hurt her feelings, you need to fix it and apologize.’ But there are cultural differences with him and things do get lost in translation and how it’s interpreted. It’s his perspective; it’s not right or wrong. So it made for interesting conversations and I had to learn to stand back a little bit and respect that.”
Trista Sutter, the first ever Bachelorette, also thinks that Juan Pablo could have handled the situation better.
“Watching the previews for this episode, I was worried that Clarewas about to pull a Courtney [from Ben Flajnik’s season]. Yes, she snuck up to his room in the middle of the night and yes, they had a little frolic in the ocean, but from what we saw, they were wearing bathing suits and it seemed more romantic than naughty,” she wrote in her blog. “Were the bathing suits kept in position? I have no idea, and no interest in finding out the truth. What I did find interesting, though, was the conversation they had about their little romp in the water at the rose ceremony. I get that Juan Pablo was thinking of the show airing and wanting to save face, but I don’t completely understand why he would do that at the detriment of a relationship that seems to be flourishing. Clare said, ‘I just wanted to go for a swim in the ocean,’ and pointed out that he could’ve easily passed on the opportunity if he had had any reservations. She hadn’t forced him into his decision in the least bit, yet he held it against her at the rose ceremony. I am a big proponent of being honest in relationships, but feel just as strongly about choosing your words wisely. Hoping this is a lesson learned.”
Meanwhile, season 5 Bachelorette Jillian Harris appear to be on Juan Pablo’s side. She tweets, “In my opinion… What appeared to go on in the ocean… Didn’t go on in the ocean. Chalk it up to fireworks, hot & heavy make out and editing.”
As for Clare, she hasn’t said anything in response to the controversy though she did tweet, “you will hear soon.”
What do you think of how Juan Pablo treated Clare?
The Bachelor airs Mondays at 8/7c on ABC.
Want more updates on The Bachelor? Download the BuddyTV App!
(Image courtesy of ABC)
Staff Writer, BuddyTV
