Culture

New Bachelorette Jillian Harris Glad to be Dumped by Cad Bachelor

by Tina Kells | March 4, 2009 at 10:41 am

7277 views | 3 Recommendations | 6 comments

Jillian Harris almost made it to the final rose ceremony, she was third runner up on the Bachelor 13, and after watching the way this installment of the series played out she must be glad she was sent home.

Not only did she escape the clutches of cad Bachelor Jason Mesnick but now she'll get as second chance to find a real prince as the next Bachelorette.

That’s the new mantra for Jillian Harris — the 29-year-old interior designer from Alberta, Canada, who has been named ABC’s new “Bachelorette.”

Harris was the third-place finisher on the most recent season of “The Bachelor” — sent home by Jason Mesnick in lieu of finalists Melissa Rycroft and Molly Malaney.

"You have to slay a few dragons before you find your prince," Jillian Harris told Ellen Degeneris when she appeared on the popular daytime talk show shortly after Mesnick sent her home.

At the time Harris was all forgiveness and niceties when talking about her Bachelor "ex" Jason Mesnick, but now that he has shown his true colors she might become a bit more candid (especially if the Bachelorette ever needs a ratings boost).

Even though taping of the show hasn't started yet Bachelor/Bachelorette producers are certain they have the right girl.

Producers briefly considered Molly Melaney but when it became clear that she would be the girl to win Mesnick's 'heart' they switched the focus back to Jillian Harris, a fan favorite that producers claim was always their number one pick.

During the second part of "The Bachelor: After the Final Rose", host Chris Harrison announced, "It was really a pretty easy decision for us to make. There was one girl on (The Bachelor) this season that really captured America's heart and the groundswell of support for her to be the next Bachelorette was overwhelming. Ladies and gentlemen, help me welcome our new Bachelorette, Jillian!"

The reality show has not been taped, but the show is aimed for a May 18 premiere. Jillian was in the Top 3 of Mesnick's choice before he lets her go for Molly and Melissa. Previously Harrison also said that they were also considering to make Molly a Bachelorette since Melissa was picked by Jason in the finale. However, the twist of ending where Jason has a change of heart and picks Molly instead, makes this impossible.

The next edition of the Bachelorette is set to air on May 18, 2009. Let's hope that this time Jillian really finds her prince!

Get spoilers and other Bachelor updates at our The Bachelor News channel.

Find out what other Bachelor fans are saying in our The Bachelor News Scan.

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Tmac (not verified)

at 12:47 on March 5th, 2009

the least ABC could do is let Melissa Rykroft come back as the bachelorette . . . come on, I'm sure she didn't sign up for what Jerk Mesnick did to her. I like Jillian, but Melissa should get the bachelorette job right now in light of what happened.

Alison Kline (not verified)

at 19:20 on March 6th, 2009

I totally agree with you. Melissa went through all that heartache!!! She should be the next Bachelorette!!!

Alex Nichol (not verified)

at 23:45 on March 8th, 2009

It's possible she didn't want to be the bachelorette after all of that.

MichelleW (not verified)

at 16:45 on May 18th, 2009

Melissa actually did say there was no way she would do the Bachelorette if they asked her too, so I'm glad they picked Jillian. If I were Melissa I wouldn't want to go through any more of this "fake love" stuff, I love Jillian, but I think Melissa now knows that true love is easier and happier found in real life, not on TV.