Amanda Stanton has taken a lot of heat for the way she appeared to handle her love triangle with Josh Murray and Nick Viall on Bachelor in Paradise, so she is taking an opportunity to defend herself.
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In a new post on her blog, Stanton shared her side of the story after this week's Bachelor in Paradise episodes made it seem like she coldly and carelessly dumped Viall -- without as much as a warning or conversation -- in favor of Murray, whom she then made out with for hours right in front of Viall, intentionally rubbing salt in his wounds.
While admitting she's not blaming her Bachelor in Paradise edit, Stanton insists a few "important details" were missing that should explain her actions.
For starters, Stanton said she had already met Viall "a few times" before Paradise was filmed in June. During one particular run-in about a month prior to taping, the pair discussed potentially appearing on the summer series together.
"We had talked about whether or not we were going to do the show. He had told me he was considering going because he was interested in getting to know [Jennifer Saviano] (also from [Ben Higgins'] season & a friend of mine)," Stanton wrote in her blog.
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"He had also told the twins [Emily Ferguson and Haley Ferguson] and [Jubilee Sharpe] the same thing -- that he was interested in Jen. I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a big BIG crush on Nick going into Paradise... but I knew how interested he was in Jen so I figured he was uninterested in me!"
Stanton therefore claims she was shocked when Viall asked her out on a date and couldn't help but wonder if it was only because Saviano wasn't in the picture yet. However, the single mom still had "high hopes."
"Mine & Nick's date didn't go as well as it was portrayed on the show. It was a fine first date. We had good conversation. We kissed. But there weren't those 'sparks' like I was hoping for...," Stanton explained.
"I almost felt like he was holding back because he knew he was waiting for Jen to arrive and didn't want to lead me on. One thing that stood out to me was that he would hold my hand or kiss me... but as soon as the cameras were off he would stop or let go of my hand."
Despite the show making it seem like Viall was completely smitten with Stanton and only invested in a relationship with her, Stanton said she didn't get that impression at all.
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"Now, if someone is really into you, they're going to show affection to you whether there are cameras on them or not. I TRULY felt like he wasn't that into me," Stanton confessed.
"Then, at the Rose Ceremony, he confirmed that. During our conversation (which they completely cut out) he told me that he had 'an amazing date with [Leah Block] & wants to get to know her better,' but also an amazing time with me."
Viall allegedly offered Stanton his rose that night because her "maturity stood out to him."
"But [he] said he wanted to get to know Leah and I BOTH better and reminded me ONCE AGAIN that he was also 'very excited for Jen to arrive.' He told me he wanted to be on the same page as far as dating other people and made it CLEAR AS DAY that we were going to both explore our options," Stanton insisted.
Stanton acknowledged there was nothing wrong with Viall's approach in Paradise, but viewers weren't able to see the full picture.
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"I appreciated his honesty with me! But this is why when Josh arrived the next morning, I didn't hesitate to say yes to the date!" Stanton wrote.
"I would NEVER intentionally hurt him or go on a date without talking to him first if we hadn't had that talk the night before!... Nick did nothing wrong! He really is an amazing guy and was nothing but honest with me! Can we just squash this?!"
As shown on Bachelor in Paradise, Stanton and Murray are now an established couple. To learn the status of their relationship now, as well as how Viall's journey on the show allegedly ended, click here. SPOILER WARNING)
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski