'The Bachelor' runner-up Becca Tilley interview: I still wonder if Chris Soules' heart was in my hands at the end

The Bachelor star Chris Soules dumped Becca Tilley in the process of selecting and proposing to Whitney Bischoff during Monday night's finale of the ABC reality dating show's nineteenth season.


Chris, a 33-year-old farmer from Arlington, IA, chose Whitney, a 29-year-old fertility nurse from Chicago, IL, at the end of his very difficult journey on the show. However, some viewers will argue Chris just picked Whitney because he couldn't get everything he needed out of Becca.

Chris was serious about finding a wife from the start, and when Becca, a 25-year-old chiropractic assistant from San Diego, CA, continued to voice hesitation about potentially raising a family and moving to Arlington, Chris decided Whitney was the better choice for him.

During a Tuesday conference call with reporters, Becca talked to Reality TV World about her experience and finishing as the runner-up.

Reality TV World: Chris' dad Gary seemed to believe you were the risky choice for Chris but what he really wanted. His mom even suggested at one point it was up to you, like her son's heart was in your hands. Do you agree with that? Because you did say you were preparing to get eliminated since you couldn't tell Chris what he needed to hear from you. Does that mean you basically felt it was your decision to end things -- not his?


Becca Tilley: It's hard to say, because at that point, I didn't know where his relationship with Whitney was. All I was able to base it on was myself and Chris, and I knew that at that last night in the conversation that everyone saw, it was kind of him pushing me to give him something -- whether it was me being in love with him or me saying yes to a proposal or me moving to Arlington.

And I just knew that up until that point, I had been so honest and it would've just been a disservice to both of us for me to answer what he wanted to hear. So, I honestly, I think that might be a question that, you know, I wonder about -- if it was really in my hands or if the decision was made and he just wanted to see what I'd want at the end of it all to make his final decision.

Reality TV World: To put things simply, you wanted to date Chris after the show to see where things could go. Were you convinced you would end up engaged to him and moving to Arlington at some point, or was there a high percentage in your mind that might never happen? How confident were you that your relationship with Chris would end up going the distance to where Chris wanted it to be?

Becca Tilley: Honestly, I saw Chris as someone I could see myself with. I wouldn't have stayed around if I didn't actually see the potential there. I think, for me, it was kind of like, I didn't have a timeline of when I would fall in love and be ready for all of that.

So my whole thing at the end was, "Let's just see where it goes," but at the same time, I know that he didn't come on the show to find a girlfriend. He came on the show to find a wife. And I knew I wasn't at that point in the timeframe that we had together.


Reality TV World: Chris became smitten with you so fast, but you didn't even get a one-on-one with him until Week 6. You were also the last person to kiss him. How do you think he fell so fast, did he ever share that with you? And while he said it had nothing to do with "the chase," do you think that personally played a role? You were basically his challenge this season. (Laughs)

Becca Tilley: (Laughs) Yeah, I was huh?! Yeah, I don't know. The whole kissing thing for me, every group date I was on would've been my only chance to kiss him, and it is so uncomfortable being there and seeing the other girls kiss [him]. And knowing how I felt watching that, I didn't think I wanted it to happen that way. So, anyways, that's another side of the story.

But I know with most guys, there's something alluring about the mystery of someone, and I think that's appealing to anyone whether it's a man or a woman. I think someone who is a little more of a challenge is intriguing, but there was an instant connection.

As soon as I got out of the limo, there was something there. And even on the group dates, the small conversations we had or even the looks and the smiles, there was just something there that felt obvious.

And once I had my one-on-one date, it was back-to-back. You know, from then on, I had a date. So, I think in that position here, your feelings just progress a lot faster. And I think had I been open and a little bit more vulnerable in the situation and a little more open to falling in love, it could've happened for me too. But I was so closed off, I don't really know if it would've gone differently either way.


Reality TV World: You were at least portrayed as being very different from most of the girls in the house, especially when it came to how you viewed getting physical with a guy. Were there ever times the girls' conversations made you uncomfortable in the house? And did Chris' behavior with the other girls ever make you question whether he was right for you? As you said, he madeout with a lot of girls and moved pretty fast in his relationships.

Becca Tilley: Yeah, I mean, I cannot blame any guy who you take out of a small town like that and put him in a house with 23 beautiful women and fault him for making out with them. I mean, you just can't get mad at that, but I never got uncomfortable.

I'm not as -- I hate to say "prude" -- as they made me look, but I'm not oblivious to the fact that just because I made the decision to not have sex and not be physical like that, that other people have. So I can hang and joke with the rest of them.

Reality TV World: During the moment Chris was pushing you to express your feelings -- I know you said you didn't know anything about Whitney's relationship and so you couldn't compare yourselves -- but did Chris give you the vibe he would picked you in the end as long as you said you loved him or would commit to moving to Iowa? He just seemed so desperate to hear at least one of those things.

Becca Tilley: I know, my feeling that night, I would say yes. I think if he had heard that I loved him or I was ready to move to Arlington, maybe it would've been different.


But it's so hard to say because watching the show and watching his relationship with Whitney progress, now, I think I felt more sure in that moment because I hadn't seen that. Now, after watching their relationship and seeing it, I think I understood where he stood with her more.

Reality TV World: What do you think you would have done if you ended up moving to Arlington? Did you ever kind of sit down and start envisioning what life would be like there? Things like how you'd adjust to farm life or keep busy and things like that.

Becca Tilley: I honestly think I would've had kids right away. (Laughs) It would've changed all the thoughts about having kids because I would've wanted to start that. I mean, it's a good place to have a family and raise a family.

Check back with Reality TV World soon for more from Becca Tilley's interview.






About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski