by Gina Scarpa and David McAlpine

 

On Monday night’s episode of The Bachelorette, the remaining men headed to Vancouver to spend quality time with Jillian.  They’ll be staying there until it’s time for hometown dates but unfortunately, not all of them will be getting to bring her home to Mom and Dad.  After a group date, Jillian comes to the decision to eliminate enemies David and Juan.  Today, Juan spoke to reporters in a press conference call, addressing the issues between himself and David head on and opening up about his reaction to being eliminated from The Bachelorette.

 

Q. Dave was the house nemesis and handled it very well. Why do you think he targeted you and how did it feel to be in the house with him and on dates and teams?
A. Juan: Dave and I didn’t have any problems when we first moved into the house, we got along really well. He himself said he was “top dog” and “alpha male” and he seemed to have beef with a lot of guys. It was difficult and it really wasn’t something I prepared for, so when this all started happening, I didn’t expect it.  It was an extra layer of things that I needed to deal with that the other guys didn’t have to deal with. There a couple days when Dave and I wouldn’t speak to each other and it was definitely tense.

 

Q. How did you feel about breaking the Man Code?
A. Juan: That was a bit silly.  I didn’t even know Dave and I had a problem until some of the other guys told me. What you saw was we all sat by the pool and we had shots, I definitely had that drink, there was nowhere for me to dump it. He was referring to something earlier off-camera when we were getting ready in the hotel room and I was trying to pace myself a little bit since it was an opportunity to make a second impression with Jillian. So, we all had a shot up there, but I only had half the shot, and Dave made a big deal about it. I’m a 35 year old man and I enjoy a glass of beer or a cocktail just as much as everyone else.

 

Q. Last week, Sasha said there was a lot of suspicion placed on you because you had “inside knowledge” of the production. Can you comment on that paranoia?
A. Juan: There were a lot of inside jokes going around the house and one of the jokes was that I was working for production, maybe it was because I was the oldest guy. I was always going around, pretending to talk on a walkie talkie, but obviously I was just a contestant. None of us knew when Jillian was going to come by, some of us were in our towels, some of us weren’t dressed, but that was part of the fun of it.

 

Q. Were you surprised that Jillian eliminated you and do you feel she wrongly accused you of having a girlfriend?
A. Juan: I was extremely surprised, I didn’t epect it. I didn’t expect to stay until the end because it was clear she had greater chemistry with other guys and I think we just lacked it. Some of the guys were still there that I felt should have gone home before I did. I don’t think it had to do with the girlfriend thing, though. I don’t have one back home and I don’t think it played into the decision.

 

Q. How was it living with all of those guys?
A. Juan: It was great at times and it was horrible at times. The bunkhouse was pretty confined, but it was tough. We had plenty of space and a barbecue and a pool table, and sleeping in the same room was ok, though the shower outside was a little difficult. We found ways to entertain ourselves, like when Michael would breakdance for us. One night we did breakdance school and Michael taught us how to dance, and we’d always find stuff around and drum on things. I never did a whole fraternity thing or lived in a house, so I was a little concerned. Also, we had some guys who were great cooks, which I was worried about, because I’m not a good cook. Julien was able to take anything and make a great meal out of it, which was awesome. I think it was kind of like a firehouse, you know?

 

Q. It seemed like there was a lot of alcohol in the house. How much was there?
A. Juan: I’m familiar with the show and I know that there’s a lot of alcohol there. We’re just sitting there, killing time, so there’s really not much else to do but drink. I like alcohol just as much as the next guy, but I’m 35 years old, so it’s kind of like been there, done that. Some of the guys were 25, 26, 27 years old and they went a little crazy. You know, Jake wasn’t a big drinker and neither was Kiptyn and they didn’t get a lot said about them.

 

Q. What did you think when Jillian brought up at the rose ceremony that someone had a girlfriend?
A. Juan: When you live with guys for three weeks, you know a lot about the people that you’re living with. It would be so hard to maintain a girlfriend and not be in contact that long and I was shocked when that came out at the Rose Ceremony. A lot of us thought that something was made up, because I had never heard about anything like that from anyone in the house. I don’t think Wes has a girlfriend, I know he mentioned being friends with a past girlfriend, but I don’t think he has a girlfriend now.

 

Q. What was the deal with the confrontation between you and David at the pool?
A. Juan: Dave does get a bit more aggressive when he drinks and outspoken, too, I think that was pretty evident in the last couple episodes. I know Dave is a little intimidating both physically and verbally and a few of the guys seemed to avoid him. When we had our “confrontation” at the pool, he was visibly drunk. No one tells you what to say or what to do, you’re on your own. I saw that he was drunk and somewhat aggressive, so I didn’t think I needed to add much to what he was saying. You have to realize that you’re on television and you have to be careful.

 

Q. Ho did you feel when David said in his exit interview that he thinks you threw him under the bus?
A. Juan: I think now that he’s gone back and watched the episodes, he knows that I didn’t do anything to instigate his departure and I never threw him under the bus, it was kind of blown out of proportion. We’re totally fine now! 

 

Q. It seemed like a lot of people were ragging on you about your age. What do you have to say about that?
A. Juan: I don’t consider myself old, I don’t think I look old, and I think I act younger  when I’m out with people that I’m comfortable with. I don’t think me being Jillian was not age appropriate because she’s almost 30.

 

Q. A lot of the guys from the last season of the Bachelorette still hang out.  Do you see that camaraderie in the future with your cast?
A. Juan: I’m looking forward to seeing Ed and Reid and Jake, so I really want to go fly around the country and visit these great guys. We know that ending up with the girl is unlikely, so I thought “What could I take away from this experience?” So it’s great that I have all these friends and great relationships around the country, and they all have me here in LA. I thought a lot about my priorities and what I want next, it was kind of like
a retreat.

 

Q. How did you mom react to Jillian?
A. Juan: My mom is not hands on with my dating life at all, she doesn’t get to meet a lot of the girls that I date. At the end of the day, I have to live with the person for the rest of my life, so she doesn’t interfere with or control what goes on in that part of my life. She liked Jillian very much, she thought she was cute and had great energy and she really got a positive vibe from her.

 

The Bachelorette airs Monday nights at 8pm ET on ABC.

 

(Image courtesy of ABC)

 

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