'The Bachelor's Desiree Hartsock: Sean Lowe did choose the love of his life, and it's not me

The Bachelor bachelorette Desiree Hartsock was eliminated from the ABC reality dating show's seventeenth season when Sean Lowe narrowed his love search to three women during Monday night's broadcast.


Desiree, a 26-year-old bridal stylist from Los Angeles, CA, was ousted during the eighth episode's Rose Ceremony after Sean had a bad experience meeting her brother Nathan during their hometown date and then realized there were some areas in their relationship that were lacking compared to what he had going on with his remaining bachelorettes. As a devastated Desiree departed the show, she insisted Sean was 100% making a mistake he'd come to regret.

AshLee Frazier, Lindsay Yenter and Catherine Giudici are still in the running for Sean's heart.

During a conference call with reporters on Thursday, Desiree talked to Reality TV World about her The Bachelor experience and relationship with Sean. Below is what she had to say. To read more from her call, check back with Reality TV World on Friday.

Also click here and here to read our exclusive separate interview with Desiree's fellow ousted bachelorette Lesley Murphy.

Reality TV World: Chris Harrison said a recent interview that when Sean eliminated you, he was pretty sure the Bachelor "let go of the love of his life." That's obviously a pretty bold statement, especially since there are reports out there that Sean is happily engaged to the woman he selected at the end of his journey. In terms of what Chris said, does that surprise you, do you agree with him on that?


Desiree Hartsock: From the beginning, I feel that Sean and I had a natural chemistry that really did shine. I think a lot of people could see that and I don't know. I mean, being in those circumstances, it does change and it's not all about having chemistry.

So, I don't know. I don't really know what to say to that, because Sean knew what he was doing with each relationship. And like I said, he made the best decision that he could. So I think he ended up choosing the love of his life and that's not me.

Reality TV World: You tweeted a couple days ago, "You can't ruin something that isn't complete, so be easy on my bro. A man who truly loved me would see past the family member I hardly see."

Could you elaborate on that a little bit? Many viewers expected you to go home and be angry at your brother but that doesn't seem to be the case. It almost seems like you were a little mad at Sean for letting Nathan influence his decision about your relationship. Is that accurate to say?

Desiree Hartsock: I'm not mad. I was never mad at Sean. In that moment, I was very, very, very upset with my brother. And I was very confused as to what had gone on. I know that my brother was very skeptical of the whole experience and of the show, but I had no idea that it was going to go that far.


Because of course I don't justify anything that my brother says, and I don't justify the way he said it to Sean, but he was protecting me and he had a strong opinion about our relationship -- like Sean and I.

He didn't feel that Sean was going to be the right guy for me, so you know, looking back, I can't be mad at my brother and stay mad at him. Because it all works out for the better and it's just, I don't know, I can move on and know that Sean and I aren't meant to be together.

Reality TV World: While Sean admitted Nathan influenced his decision to send you home because he couldn't envision him as his brother-in-law, he also said during Tuesday's The Bachelor: Sean Tells All special that there were other things lacking in your relationship compared to his relationships with the other women. What's your reaction to that and do you have any idea what he might've been referring to -- the things that were lacking?

Desiree Hartsock: Yeah, it's a very different experience to be in. It's not everyday you share a boyfriend with other girls. So looking back and watching the show, I do realize that maybe I did put up my guard more so than the other girls.

It may not have looked like it after viewing, but I really did. I was a little bit -- I was holding back a little bit more than I think a lot of the other girls were. Because I wanted to make sure that he was right for me and not just me being right for him.


And so, you know, that takes time. It takes me a little bit longer to really say, "I love you," because I want it to be right. And I think it's hard with being -- you have to share so much in so little of time that that may be where it was lacking.

Reality TV World: When you were having your last exchange with Sean after the Rose Ceremony in which he sent you home, you mentioned that all you do is give to people and they tend to take you for granted. Would you mind elaborating on that a little bit? Were you talking about your past relationships?

Desiree Hartsock: Yeah, I was referring mainly to past relationships and even friendships, because I do care more about other people than I do myself. So a lot of times, people take that for granted and take advantage of it. But mainly, that was just past relationships that I was referring to, and for some reason in that moment, I was feeling the same I guess. (Laughs)

Reality TV World: A lot of viewers, along with Chris Harrison, have been suggesting AshLee might be a little too intense or mature for Sean. And some bachelorettes I talked to earlier this season, said AshLee wasn't as fun as the rest of the girls and that type of personality was what Sean was looking for in a wife. What are your own thoughts on that?

Desiree Hartsock: I agree with the statements from previous girls. Sean's a very playful, fun-loving, really sarcastic and witty type of guy. And he really is wanting someone who compliments that and in the house, AshLee's an amazing woman. She just can't let go as easily as the other ladies that left. She is a little bit more intense and I don't really think that's what Sean is looking for.


Reality TV World: What is your perspective on Catherine and Lindsay? Do you think they might have more of the qualities Sean's looking for?

Desiree Hartsock: I think Catherine and Lindsay, Sean really loves their playfulness and their flirtiness. But yeah, I think they do possess more of what Sean's looking for.

Reality TV World: You also tweeted that you watched The Amazing Race for the first time and you think you found your "destiny." Were you just joking around about that or do you think you'd seriously consider applying for The Amazing Race?

Desiree Hartsock: Oh, I don't think I would actually really do it. I just think that it's something I would be really good at. (Laughs) Because I am very competitive and adventurous and I think I'd be good at it.

Above is what Desiree had to say to Reality TV World during her Thursday conference call with reporters. To read more from the call, check back with Reality TV World on Friday.  Also click here and here to read our exclusive separate interview with ousted bachelorette Lesley Murphy.






About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski