by Gina Scarpa

 

After a romantic date with Ben in Park City, being deemed the best kisser of the group, and even sharing a few of those kisses at the cocktail party, Jennifer was feeling pretty confident. But The Bachelor is always full of surprises and she found that out the hard way when she was not handed a rose at the end of Monday night's episode. She left hurt and confused and today, she opened up to RealityWanted and reporters in a press conference about how she feels about her experience with Ben.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: It was definitely surprising that you were eliminated Monday night, not just to you but to the viewers at home. Did you ever find out a reason or get any closure? Was there something we didn't get to see?
A. Jennifer: As far as him walking me out, he kind of said something to the effect of that I was feeling a little bit more than he was for me. I didn't think it was a good answer because I didn't pick up that vibe at all. Other than that, the only other closure I got was from his blog and I thought it was a nice blog. It kind of makes sense to me now.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Did it bother you that he eliminated you after kissing you at the party?
A. Jennifer: Yes, I was very frustrated! After the time I had with him, I had gone and done an interview and swore up and down that I was not going home. I had heard how some other girls' time went with him. I definitely thought there was no way I was going home. I had the rug pulled out from under me for sure.

 

Q. What did you think of Ben and why did you like him?
A. Jennifer: I liked Ben from the get go. I thought he was a down to earth kind of guy. I thought we had so much in common. We both love music and share that passion for it. I thought he was a really sweet guy. Getting sent home so soon, I may have changed my opinion.

 

Q. Why has Courtney been able to win him over?
A. Jennifer: I'm not sure if it's her personality... she's a little pushy. I didn't think that he would buy into that so easily but it looks as though he is. My opinion of her when I was there... I didn't associate with her. She wasn't a person that I said hi or bye to or anything like that. I knew she wasn't nice and that's as far as I would take it until watching. I definitely feel stronger that I don't like her much.

 

Q. Looking back, how strong was your connection with Ben?
A. Jennifer: I definitely think I was on the track to falling in love with him. I wasn't in love with him by any means at that point but I had a really strong connection and I felt strongly for him. Coming off of my date, I thought he felt the same and had no questions of it. Definitely in Puerto Rico, going on the group date, I knew I would have to fight for time at the cocktail party. After we talked, I almost felt like he reassured me of his feelings. Not that he exactly said that, but just in our conversation - just how easy it was.

 

Q. What did Ben tell you during that conversation? Did you feel like something was off?
A. Jennifer: There was nothing off! That's why it was such a shocker to look back on it. Everything was right. It seemed like that the conversation was so easy, so natural. I loved being in his environment, playing baseball. I'm athletic, that's what I like to do. And then he proceeded to kiss me. Definitely, I walked away going, "I got this in the bag. I'm getting a rose."

 

Q. You labeled Ben as "perfect" on this week's episode.  Looking back on it, do you still feel that way?
A. Jennifer: That's a broad question. I have changed my mind, for sure. I obviously left not knowing he had gone skinny dipping with Courtney. When I saw the promo, I wondered if the other girls found out because it changes things a little bit. It definitely changed things for me and he was no longer perfect.

 

Q. Do you think that Ben has already narrowed it down to one or two people and so the rest of you are like, "Eh, I can get rid of one or two of them a week..."
A. Jennifer: I knew he had a connection with Courtney, Kacie B, and Lindzi obviously. I thought they were some of the favorites. I thought I was a favorite too. I think he sent me home when I did because maybe I was too real. I think he had feelings for me but at the same time, there were people there like Blakeley, Jamie S, and Jamie who would be easier to let go in a couple more weeks verus letting me go in a couple more weeks and feel bad about it.

 

Q. Emily has already confronted Ben about Courtney and I'm wondering if you feel like more of you had confronted him earlier, if it would've made a difference...
A. Jennifer: No, I don't think anything would've been different if someone had said something earlier. Watching now, it seems like no matter what warning he's getting, he continually proves over and over again that she's one of his favorites. It's kind of a moot point. It wouldn't have changed anything.

 

Q. Is she there for the right reasons?
A. Jennifer: I think she is definitely all about winning. Maybe she likes Ben a little bit and I heard someone use the term "The Ben Pill" and she definitely took it. Whether it's real feelings, I don't know. She's in a career where she could come out ahead with the exposure.

 

The Bachelor airs Mondays at 8/7c on ABC.

 

(Image courtesy of ABC)

 

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