Robby Hayes finished JoJo Fletcher's season of The Bachelorette in the runner-up spot.
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Robby, a 27-year-old former competitive swimmer from Florida, was absolutely certain JoJo was going to pick him at the end of her journey and become his future wife. He was so convinced, in fact, he wondered whether JoJo was going to send Jordan Rodgers -- the winner -- home even earlier than the Final Rose Ceremony in Thailand.
Robby envisioned marriage and kids with JoJo, so he was devastated and crushed by the rejection. After the heartbreak and months of tabloid rumors regarding his past, it's probably safe to say he's ready to move forward with his life.
On Tuesday, Robby talked to Reality TV World about his The Bachelorette experience. Below is what he had to say.
Reality TV World: JoJo admitted on the show Jordan is the type of guy she used to date, but all she did was complain about her ex-boyfriend not treating her well and giving her trust issues. So JoJo has been criticized for picking the guy she had to chase, whom her family didn't even prefer. Since you laid it all out on the line for her, what are your thoughts on all that?
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Robby Hayes: You know, I talk to people all the time who ask me, "Is she really that great of a girl? Is she really like everything you say?" And, yes, she is. She is incredible and she's the full package. There's nothing about her -- like, I had trouble finding a flaw.
But at the end of this, I think I did find a flaw, and I think it's that she may choose the wrong guy. And that's just what she's done in her past -- in her past relationships. You know, her and I talked about those. They weren't right for her.
I'm hoping that this will last for her, because I want to see her happy. But, you know, it's just like you said -- and just like her mom said during [Ben Higgins'] season -- 'If you want this, go give it 150 percent.' And that's what I did.
And looking back, you know, I don't -- it didn't help with closure watching the episode because I don't -- when I'm in it and filming it, I don't get to see the other side. I don't get to see their dates. It kind of gave me more reason why it should have been me. But you know, I'm going to go and trust her decision and, you know, respect that. So.
Reality TV World: Are you in talks to be the next The Bachelor star? And if that doesn't work out and you're still single next year, would you ever consider a stint on Bachelor in Paradise?
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Robby Hayes: There haven't been any talks. There's been mentions. But nothing solidified or anything that is -- there hasn't been anything like an interview or anything for it yet. But Bachelor in Paradise is a whole another [story].
Honestly, I'm going to have to watch the first episode because I've never seen an episode (laughs) So to answer that, I'm going to have to see how that whole season works out.
Reality TV World: JoJo told you during After the Final Rose that you two were kind of missing the best-friends element that she had with Jordan because your personalities weren't very "compatible" or something like that. I guess, did that explanation surprise you? And what is your response to that?
Robby Hayes: It surprised me a little bit. I definitely thought we had that element. You know, when we're around each other, we can't get enough of each other. We have fun, we laugh. [We had] just everything that element would contain.
And watching her and Jordan, I didn't see much different. They always -- I mean obviously watching them both, they had great chemistry. But, no, I never got that feeling. That was kind of surprising to hear.
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Check Reality TV World's The Bachelorette 12 page for more from Robby's interview as well as what JoJo and Jordan had to say.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski