Bachelorette Men Tell All: Desiree Hartsock Confronts James, Faces Rejected Men

9:59 pm, July 22nd, 2013

RECAP

(ABC)

Monday’s “The Bachelorette: Men Tell All” special brought back some of the season’s most beloved – and controversial – contestants.

More than a dozen of Desiree Hartsock’s rejected suitors gathered to reflect on the show and reminisce over never-before-seen footage.

But the show wasn’t without any drama, as many of the guys continued to clash — and Hartsock confronted James over his hotly-debated exit.

Before he took the hot seat, the panel turned their attention to Ben, the single dad who initially won over Hartsock, but found himself the outcast of the house before getting pushed out on a 2-and-1 date with Michael G.

“The only thing I regret about the show is some of the things I said in that limo,” Ben said, referring to being caught on camera during his exit saying he couldn’t wait to meet another girl and wanted to go to Hollywood.

VIDEO BELOW

Mikey said his problem with Ben was that he wasn’t “respectful,” and Juan Pablo echoed that as well.

“I honestly don’t know what they’re talking about,” insisted Ben, getting angrier as his fellow contestants continued to hurl accusations, especially when it came to his parenting.

When Hartsock came out, she admitted to doubting Ben’s insincerity throughout the process, and found her feelings confirmed by his exit comments.

“It showed everything that you were,” she told him.

But that interrogation was nothing compared to what James faced, he who tried to convince Hartsock that his comments with Mikey about having a chance at becoming the “Bachelor” if he made it to the Top Four weren’t a big deal.

James again attempted to defend himself, saying it was “a conversation that real men have,” and that he deserved an apology from some of the men, but the guys weren’t wavering on their stance.

Kasey called him out for claiming he was “falling in love” with Hartsock, then openly talking about his post-show future, and then blowing up at the guys when they tried to talk to him about it.

Hartsock said she gave James “the benefit of the doubt,” but told him, watching it back, “I was being manipulated by you.”

RELATED – “Bachelorette” Episode Eight Recap: Desiree Has Hometown Dates, Makes Surprising Elimination

“You just went up and down with your whole story,” said the brunette beauty. “If you 100 percent felt something, you would have been confident in that regardless.”

Interestingly, the season’s third most controversial contestant, Brian, who was unceremoniously kicked off the show after being surprised by his girlfriend, chose not to show up for the reunion, prompting the men to label him a “coward.”

Zak, who was eliminated just after the hometown dates, said he was left with a feeling of defeat.

“Something that you hope and hope will happen and builds and builds, and in just one second it’s gone,” he lamented, going on to confess that he’s actually still in love with Hartsock.

“It won’t go away. You lose hope that it’s going to happen, but it’s there,” admitted Zak.

Hartsock told him that he “did have everything I was looking for,” but had to “gauge it” with her other relationships.

The Bachelorette then found herself getting a little emotional when Zak performed a moving song about his heartbreak — and his resolve to move on.

Check out VIDEO of Desiree confronting James below!

Next week will start the two-part season finale, with Hartsock choosing between Brooks, Chris, and Drew.

Who are you rooting for?

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Bachelorette Recap: Desiree Has Hometown Dates, Makes Surprising Elimination

9:54 pm, July 15th, 2013

RECAP/VIDEO

(Us Weekly)

It was hometown date night on Monday’s episode of “The Bachelorette,” with Desiree Hartsock traveling to meet the families of her four remaining suitors – BrooksChris, Zak and Drew.

VIDEO BELOW

Hartsock first went to visit Zak’s family in Dallas, where the pair hopped in a snow cone truck and served children at the local elementary school.

Zak put on a penguin suit and danced for the kids, making Hartsock think he’d make a great dad.

Hartsock said his family was “a lot of fun” and his mother said she and Zak were “amazing” together.

The brood then dedicated a song to their guest, singing to Hartsock, “Oh, Desiree, now we can see / Your place among our family.”

The reality star was extremely touched by the gesture, and even shed a few tears.

Zak proceed to give Hartsock a “promise” ring, and told her he loved her.

The Bachelorette then traveled to Scottsdale, Arizona to meet Drew’s family.

Drew first introduced Hartsock to his sister, who has severe developmental disabilities.

Hartsock was impressed with how “sweet and tender” he was with his sister, and called his entire family “phenomenal.”

“I want to join Drew’s family right now,” she told the camera.

Drew also told Hartsock he loved her.

Next up was Chris’ hometown visit, which the pair began with a picnic on a local baseball diamond where the former minor league player for the Chicago Cubs used to play ball.

Chris’ family was very fond of Hartsock, but the bridal stylist felt a bit awkward when his chiropractor dad examined her back.

Overall, the date went well, and Chris also told Hartsock he loved her.

Hartsock then visited Brooks’ clan in Salt Lake City, where the family was adorably waiting for with name tags on their shirts!

The Bachelorette grilled Brooks’ mother on whether she thought her son was ready to get married, asking his mom what kind of a husband and father he would be.

His mom thought the pair was very “compatible,” and gave both Brooks and Hartsock her support.

But Brooks did not say he loved Hartsock, whereas she had previously confessed to Chris Harrison that she was in love with him.

Still, Hartsock’s final encounter was her most difficult.

She had to talk to her brother Nate — who notoriously botched her hometown date with Sean Lowe on “The Bachelor” — about how he was going to treat her remaining two men in the coming weeks.

Hartsock revealed she hadn’t seen her brother since he “screwed up” her date with Lowe, and told him she was not sure if she could “trust” him to meet her suitors this time around.

However, Nate promised to be respectful to the guys and not embarrass her on national TV again.

Hartsock then had to eliminate one of the men during the rose ceremony, and broke down in tears when it came time to make the decision.

In the end, she sent Zak home.

Check out videos from Hartsock’s dates with Zak and Brooks below.

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Bachelorette Recap: Desiree’s Bachelor Competitors Return, Final 4 Revealed

9:57 pm, July 8th, 2013

RECAP

(ABC)

Monday’s “The Bachelorette” took place on the island of Madeira in Portugal, where Desiree Hartsock received a visit from some familiar faces — her former “Bachelor” competitors!

The bridal stylist was joined by Catherine Giudici (who is now engaged to reigning “Bachelor” Sean Lowe), Lesley Murphy, and Jackie Parr, with the close pals getting the dish on Hartsock’s journey thus far.

Hartsock revealed she’s “falling” in love with more than one person, and admitted she thinks it’s “weird” she could soon be the bride herself.

But there was still a long way left to go, with Hartsock taking her five remaining suitors on three 1-on-1 dates and a 2-on-1 date.

First up was Brooks, with the pair going on a picnic, during which they reflected on how “easy” and natural” their relationship is.

“I can picture my life with Brooks after this. At this moment I’m falling in love,” Hartsock told the camera, adding, “I could see Brooks as my husband and that’s what this is about.”

Brooks, a marketing analyst, stressed how important it is that Hartsock embraces his family — whom she’d meet on their potential hometown date — and the bachelorette wasn’t scared off, admitting she’s “running” to the finish line.

RELATED – “Bachelorette” Episode Six Recap: Desiree Breaks Down Over James Bombshell, Three Sent Home

The second 1-on-1 date went to Chris, who got to go with Hartsock on a yacht to a “deserted island.”

There, the affectionate pair continued their trend of exchanging poems, with the mortgage broker suggesting they write one together to put in a bottle and throw into the water.

At night, the two toasted to a “wonderful date and an even better dinner,” and a nervous and sweaty Chris went on to make a big declaration via — of course — another poem.

“In every kiss, I truly mean that I love you,” he said in the last line, making Hartsock quite emotional.

“I wasn’t expecting him to say those words… but it couldn’t have been any better,” she told the camera after.

She added later, “I could picture a life with him, and it’s exciting.”

Next up was Michael G, getting to have a 1-on-1 with Hartsock for the first time.

After going tobogganing, the federal prosecutor opened up about his estrangement with his father, his battle with Type I diabetes, and finding out his live-in girlfriend was cheating on him.

“The silver lining to all this is that — I mean this from the bottom of my heart — is I’m feeling these feelings again,” he told Hartsock, adding to the camera later that he’s “falling in love.”

For her part, the reality star told the camera that “Michael is one of the greatest guys I ever met.”

RELATED – Photos: Meet Desiree Hartsock’s “Bachelorette” Suitors

That left Drew and Zak to awkwardly go on the pressure-filled two-on-1 date, but things started off on a lighter note with trip to a Go-Kart track — until Hartsock told the two to compete head-to-head.

Drew was bummed to lose, and was forced to uncomfortably wait as Hartsock spent private time with Zak before him.

“This has been kind of like the best time in my life,” the drilling fluid engineer said, going on to surprise her with a sketchbook documenting their relationship.

When Drew finally got his alone time, he told her he “already” knows his family “will fall in love” with her, including his mentally-handicapped sister.

“It was so much more than I had ever imagined,” the digital marketing analyst went on to tell her of their romance. “I’ve never had this feeling with anyone… I’ve fallen in love with you.”

Their moving, emotional exchange left an over-confident Zak stunned when he didn’t get the date’s rose.

Fortunately for Zak, not getting the rose didn’t mean he was automatically eliminated… but instead that the night’s rose ceremony would be a game-changer.

With the other three men also up for elimination, Hartsock had a tough decision to make.

In a telling chat beforehand with host Chris Harrison, the brunette beauty got emotional talking about Brooks, revealing she’s no longer running but already at the finish line with him — even though he’s yet to drop the L-word.

At the rose ceremony, Hartsock ultimately gave roses to everyone except Michael.

She explained to the shell-shocked contestant her other relationships were “growing differently.

“I’m heartbroken,” he confessed as Hartsock went on to praise their “friendship,” before wishing each other “the best.”

Next week, viewers will get to see Hartsock travel to the hometowns of the Final Four: Chris, Brooks, Drew, and Zak.

Which guy are you rooting for?

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