As promised, Shawntel Newton from Brad’s last season of “The Bachelor” is blogging her own analysis of “The Bachelorette” 2011 each week. See how she felt about week 1 regarding the men, Ashley’s turn at finding true love, and how some of the scenes reminded her of the ones she had with Brad during the meet and greet session.
Exclusive: Blog by Shawntel Newton
Let the Masks fall off and the drama begin!
I am so excited to be blogging each week about our new season of “The Bachelorette.” It’s hard to believe that I was stepping out of the limo greeting Brad not too long ago. Now here I am giving my opinion of Ashley’s men and her life changing decisions.
I have to be honest…I was a little hesitant knowing that Ashley H. was going to be our new “Bachelorette.” I got to know Ashley on my season of “The Bachelor,” and she was very emotional and seemed to be having a hard time opening up — not only to Brad, but to the girls in the house. I had a hard time thinking that she was ready to be the next “Bachelorette” and to fall in love.
With that said, I stand corrected. After watching Ashley’s intro tonight, I see that she is ready to not only open up, but to fall in love. She admits that she was in love with Brad and did not tell him. She came off with regrets. Now, Ashley wants to have NO regrets and find the man of her dreams.
Now, let’s get started….
I remember when I was going to meet Brad for the first time I was so nervous, not only because I thought I was going to slip and fall, but I wanted to say something that will help him remember me. And first impressions can help make it — or break it (in this case, it’ll help you get the “first impression rose”).
As the men started coming out of the limo, I thought, Ashley is one lucky lady, hello handsome!! Even with all that distraction of hotness, I paid close attention to each man as they greeted Ashley. A couple guys that really stood out to me were Ben F. (love that he’s from Sanoma), Ryan, Ben C., William, J.B., and Nick. I think that Ben C. had the best intro with Ashley… he spoke French to her! Too cute.
What is up with Jeff??? I don’t think you have to wear a mask to make your point. The idea of the mask is nice, but I think it’s not necessary to wear a black mask throughout the night. Take the mask off Jeff! I thought Tim was going to rip that mask right off him…instead poor Tim gets too drunk and passes out. I am sure he will leave the show with regrets (he should have listened to Ashley’s intro).
Let me just put in my two cents towards Bentley. Why go on the show if you want Emily to be the “Bachelorette”? Obviously Emily was taken by Brad. Not going to happen Bentley. I am thinking that Ashley may have her hands full with this guy.
When Chris Harrison came out with the first impression rose, you can see the nervous look on the men’s faces. I remember for me, all we could do was think about that rose and that you will hopefully be getting it. I wasn’t too surprised when Ashley gave the rose to Ryan P.. He was very cute and polite.
During the rose ceremony it’s not easy standing up, waiting to see if you were liked or not. For me, I was thinking, I hope this is worth it! When Ashley passed out her roses I was really on edge to see who she was sending home that night. She really seemed to get right to it. Ashley knows what she wants and you can see her eagerness during the rose ceremony. Get it Ash!
Well, let the drama begin and please, can we lose the mask? Judging by the previews, it seems like the men I think that will be great for Ash make it pretty far. It’s hard to say too much more, but I think that Ash is on her way to falling in love. Though, I do think it won’t be easy!!!
Look forward in watching next week with you all…
My top picks so far for Ashley are: 1. Ryan P., 2. West, 3. JP, 4. William, 5. Blake, 6. Ames, 7. Constantine. JP was a real surprise, but he has a good head on his shoulders, and is confident but not arrogant. I think that William is going to go very far. He looks kind of like Kirk from Ali’s season. I get the feeling that Ashley likes Constantine, and will keep him around for a while.
I believe that this season will have the good and bad, where we will inevitably have to see 2 or 3 contestants that we really like as people, have to be eliminated eventually. However, I believe that in the end, we’re going to see a very good man win the Final Rose from Ashley. From first glance, she appears to have many great men to choose from: Good jobs, great senses of humor, good people, and good-looking, too. The toughest part for me, will be likely watching four men get Hometown Dates, knowing that three will need to be eliminated. I like (from the bio pages) most of these men have good family values, and families who will be warm and welcoming to Ashley.
I also feel bad for EMILY to get dragged into this season. Im betting ABC has a little grudge going here & are not happy with EMILY.. That along with the timing of gossip US weekly stating EM gave them back the ring or they are keeping EM in site as next bachlorette.
OK so we know Bentley wants EMILY so how far will ABC put that story out there.. Its not fair to ASHLEY either.. UGH..
Im looking forward to see just what ASH does here. She has been warned but few women take advice from other women about men. Michelle did the right thing.
ASH has spunk & is a lot of fun.. falling in love on this show for ASH & engagment might be a stretch but she can sure get a solid relationship out of it..
I agree the mask has to go! Great job Shawntel
It must be hard to watch the things that guys say behind the scenes…like Bentley….I think that half the world wants to wring his neck, the only thing he has going for him is his daughter “Cozy”, listen to a girl, if they warn you take heed, run, and really….don’t give that guy a rose…Well, Shawntel, enjoying your blog…here in Chico….out…PS ….It’s Sonoma…I’m just sayin’
Oh yeah….my info said that the guy in the mask is someone that Ash knows….so I guess he has to wear it!
Kudos! What a neat way of tihninkg about it.
Enjoyed reading your remembrances of how you felt when you got out of the limo. So happy about all the fun things that are happening in your life for you since you were on the show, you’re a wonderful and sweetpea young woman.
I really liked the organ music! Went to see a movie once on Catalina Island and the theater has a real organ player on stage before movies! Ha! Nice looking men on this season of bachelorette, especially Winemaker Ben and also William, I think he was the broken umbrella guy. Andrew Firestone was the best Bachelor they ever had, a finer looking guy I never saw in my life. The guy with the mask on looks filthy, funny that Ashely wants him around and also the guy who looked at her hair and said “new color??” like it was the wrong shade (he is a hairstylist). I would axe him.
You should have a twitter party sometime where you set aside a 1 hour block to answer questions from fans writing into your twitter page.
take care!
seasononthe101 (I live off Hwy 101)
Love this site! Y’all heard of Sweet Home Alabama? Its like the bachelor of the south! LOVE IT! Check it out! facebook.com/SweetHomeAlabamaCMT
interesting what you got goin on here. could you share a few pointers maybe? im sturggling to get my blog even off the ground. you have my email if you don’t want to post it here for everyone to see