by Gina Scarpa

This season, on The Bachelor, Ashley Elmore will be remembered as the girl who dressed up like a sexy pilot to get Jake Pavelka’s attention.  She grabbed his attention (and a rose) on the first night but the connection just wasn’t there and she was eliminated on Monday night’s episode.  Today, she spoke to reporters in a press conference call about the connection the girls feel to Jake, who she thinks would be a good match for him, and opens up about the controversial affair between Rozlyn and one of the producers of The Bachelor.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Do you think that, because the girls had seen Jake on The Bachelorette prior to coming on the show, they entered the house with feelings for him without really knowing him?
A. Ashley: I think because the girls did see Jake prior, and see his interactions with The Bachelorette, and how he was a very nice guy and a gentleman, very warm and loving, initially they were already excited.  It almost felt like they knew him.  I would say the girls were more excited because they felt like they got to know a piece of him.
 
Q. Gina, RealityWanted: As always on The Bachelor, the girls get competitive and steal Jake away from one another.  Were you prepared for how competitive it can get?
A. Ashley: It was definitely competitive in nature.  I did go into it expecting a lot of drama, a lot of gossiping because of all the women being there.  I was a little surprised just by how some of the women were really over the top.  There’s just one of him and 25 of us.  You kind of had to go above and beyond and pull out something creative or key to get his attention.  That was something that I was prepared for but surprised by how difficult it was when I arrived.
 
Q. It’s surprising how quickly people form emotional attachments on the show.  Why do you think that happens?
A. Ashley: Jake’s a great guy so I can see how girls would fall quickly for him but I think that every girl wants that fairy tale and be swept off their feet.  You go on these magical dates and spend time with this great guy.  Being in that situation escalates feelings quicker than if it were a traditional or standard date.  I can see why feelings develop quickly.  You only have a limited time with Jake and you really try to get to the heart of the matter and discuss more serious topics.  In typical dating, you spend more time joking around or telling stories but in this instance, you try to use every minute wisely and talk about serious topics, like future and goals.
 
Q. How surprised were the women about Rozlyn’s exit?
A. Ashley: The girls had a discussion about it in the house, about how some snuggling or cuddling was going on.  There was a group of about six women who had that conversation and brought it to the producers’ attention.  I was not one of the girls but I was there for the conversation.  I don’t think anyone thought that a sexual affair was occurring.  We didn’t know the details or the extent of it.  Even though there were red flags, the girls were quite surprised when Chris Harrison spoke to us and told us what had happened.
 
Q. Rozlyn has been denying there was anything romantic with the producer.  You seemed to feel otherwise.  Do you feel there was something going on?
A. Ashley: I do but I wasn’t there to witness the extent of it.  I just saw bits and pieces and heard what the other girls said.  It was something taken so seriously that a staffer was removed and she was removed from the show.  I don’t think that would happen from something that was totally innocent.
 
Q. Which girls were the ones who noticed something going on?
A. Ashley: Elizabeth said she definitely saw some snuggling.  Vienna agreed and was speaking about how Rozlyn was laying on this staffer and had her hand around his thigh area.  I was simply sitting on the couch.  Some of the girls were upset about what they had seen and felt the need to verbalize it.  That’s what the girls said they witnessed - the cuddling and the leg touching.  That was Elizabeth, Vienna, and Gia.
 
Q. Did you worry at all about something from your past coming out or something from the show hurting your image?
A. Ashley: Absolutely.  For a living, I’m a high school teacher and it’s important for me to be a positive role model to my students.  I hope to present myself with values and class.  That was one thing I had to think about: is there anything from my past that I would be ashamed about?  Of course I realized that we’re not perfect and I was willing to go forward without any considerable concerns about something coming out.
 
Q. Would you go through this experience again?
A. Ashley: I would 100% do it again.  I loved the experience.  It was a wonderful time and Jake was wonderful, even though we didn’t form that connection.  We went on some fun dates and I met some amazing women.  Overall, it was a positive experience.  I would pack my bags and go out there again.  I loved it!
 
Q. What did you learn from being on The Bachelor?
A. Ashley: I definitely learned that I’m ready for something really serious.  I knew that going in but being there and actually competing for this guy and going on these romantic dates, I realize that that is absolutely what I want.  I’m single but I will hold the men I date to a little bit of a higher standard.  I want something that’s going to go somewhere and be serious.  Also, it’s been forever since I lived with various roommates.  I learned how to handle everyone’s different personality types.  When you put that many women together, there will be arguing and cattiness.  I learned not to get too stressed out, get to know everyone, and have a good time with it.
 
Q. Which girls do you feel are a good match for Jake?
A. Ashley: It’s so early on and I wasn’t there all that long but there were a few women there that I think are wonderful and beautiful, not only on the outside but the inside.  I became close with Tenley right off the bat.  She was extremely positive, warm, and outgoing.  We instantly clicked.  Jake’s such a great guy.  I could see him with a girl that possesses some of those attributes, a wonderful, sweet girl.  She’s one of my favorites, personally and one I’ll be cheering for.  I also really liked Elizabeth.  We hit it off right away.  She’s a great girl, also.  I definitely have seen some stuff where people don’t care for her quite as much but I found a really good person in here and she’s going to be one of the girls that, when I go to the reunion show, she’s one fo the girls I’ll give a great big hug to.  I really like Ali as well.  Watching the episode Monday night, seeing how cute her and Jake were, it made me like her even more. I thought, “Wow, they would be great together!”  She’s really intelligent and dedicated to her career and a strong woman and we’ll see if that’s what Jake is looking for.  Those are my top 3 that I’m cheering for now that I’m out of the running!
 
 
The Bachelor airs Mondays at 8pm ET on ABC.

(Image courtesy of ABC)

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