Brad Womack sent three The Bachelor bachelorettes packing during last night's broadcast of the ABC reality dating series' fifteenth season.
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Keltie Colleen, a 28-year-old Radio City Rockette from Hollywood, CA, Melissa Schreiber, a 32-year-old waitress from Lake Worth, FL, and Raichel Goodyear, a 29-year-old 'manscaper' from Fullerton, CA, were all eliminated during the second episode's Rose Ceremony.
"I really swear to God if they gave out an Oscar for the worst dater ever, it would go to [me]. I'm the worst. I'm just so awkward. Honestly, I don't know if love is in the cards for me. I think I'm maybe meant to be alone," Keltie lamented following her ouster.
"This was kind of like my last ditch effort, because I've done the regular dating, then I've done the 'dating people at work,' -- that never works out well -- and then I did the 'being set up by people I don't know,' and then I did the online dating. So, I've kind of exhausted all the avenues. I think I'm going to stick to kicking -- way easier."
The Bachelor's second fifteenth-season episode began with the 20 remaining bachelorettes moving into the season's The Bachelor mansion and host Chris Harrison telling the women there would be two one-on-one dates and one group date over the course of the next week. There would be a rose up for grabs during each -- and if the bachelorettes on the one-on-one dates failed to receive a rose, they would be ousted immediately.
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Ashley Hebert, a 26-year-old dentist from Philadelphia, PA, then learned she'd be accompanying Brad on the week's first one-on-one date.
"I was freaking out when I found out that I had the first date. I feel like it's an honor and it's the first time he's taking a girl out and I'm just so amazed that he chose me," Ashley H. said after her invitation was read aloud.
Brad was also anticipating the date, not knowing what to expect.
"Tonight's my very first date. I'm excited but I am very nervous. I promised myself this time around that I would have fun and put myself out there... I want to see if we can laugh and be ourselves -- just let go and have some fun," Brad said when he picked up Ashley H.
Brad picked Ashley H. up and the two drove to a dark, wooded area. Ashley H. said she was "freaked out" and had no idea what to expect, but after wandering through the dark to a field and flicking on the lights, she learned they would enjoy a private secluded carnival full of rides, games and treats just for the two of them.
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The two raced through the carnival and played around as if they were little kids. Ashley H. felt it was "the best date she's ever been on," while Brad said he was "having the time of his life" with her.
"Let's face it. This girl is the entire package -- intelligent, pretty, I feel like I can be myself around her -- I like this girl. I like this girl a lot," Brad noted in a confessional.
That night, they shared many kisses but then the mood turned serious. Ashley H. and Brad discussed how both of their fathers were absent throughout their lives, and the two noticed they shared that hurt in common. Brad explained that although talking about his father makes him uncomfortable, he found it easy to open up to Ashley H. He then gave Ashley H. the date's rose -- meaning she'd be safe at the upcoming elimination ceremony.
"I feel so great that Brad offered me the rose. The fact that Brad is opening up to me and really shared some personal experiences in his life, it really makes me feel like he trusts me and that he obviously feels -- hopefully feels -- the same way that I'm feeling about him right now," Ashley H. said.
Meanwhile, the other women learned that 15 of them would have to share the group date with Brad, initiating some skepticism and unhappiness among some of the bachelorettes -- who believed that gave them little hope of actually getting to know Brad and making a connection with him.
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Keltie, Chantal O'Brien, a 28-year-old executive assistant from Seattle, WA; Madison Garton, a 25-year-old model from Brooklyn, NY; Melissa, Kimberly Coon, a 27-year-old marketing coordinator from Charlotte, NC; Marissa May, a 26-year-old sports publicist from Kissimmee, FL; Raichel, Britt Billmaier, a 25-year-old food writer from Woodinville, WA; and Meghan Merritt, a 30-year-old fashion marketer from New York, NY, accompanied Brad on the week's group date.
The other girls who were selected for the group date included: Emily Maynard, a 24-year-old children's hospital event planner from Charlotte, NC; Stacey Queripel, a 26-year-old bartender from Boston, MA; Alli Travis, a 24-year-old apparel merchant from Columbus, OH; Shawntel Newton, a 25-year-old funeral director from Chico, CA; Michelle Money, a 30-year-old hairstylist from Salt Lake City, UT; and Lisa Morrisey, a 24-year-old marketing coordinator from Ottawa, KS.
Michelle was the most upset about the news, as the following day marked her thirtieth birthday.
"Fifteen of us and Brad. It's going to be so hard trying to get my time with him," Michelle complained. "I would just really love some one-on-one time with him for my birthday. Instead, I'm going to be competing with 14 other women, so yeah, tomorrow's going to drive me crazy. Guaranteed."
The next morning, the 15 girls met up with Brad and learned they would be giving back and donating their time to the American Red Cross. They were told they'd be making several public service announcements, some of which may be used as national commercials, to raise awareness and encourage people to give blood. The women had to memorize short skits and were assigned to dress and act as certain characters.
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Keltie was very upset as she seemingly got stuck with the worst outfit -- a butch woman in a neck brace with both her arms in casts, while a few of the women were jealous over Madison's sexy ensemble -- a flattering black-leather dominatrix suit. During the filming of the public service announcements, Brad madeout with multiple women and the bachelorettes got very competitive.
"If this is what charity's about, I'll do anything for charity," Brad joked.
Melissa and Britt both came out of their shells and unexpectedly kissed Brad while he was filming scenes, surprising the other bachelorettes. Britt took advantage of a long makeout with Brad even though she claimed it was out of character for her to come onto a man so strongly and quickly.
"I'm kind of a goody-two-shoes. I'm a big old prude," Britt laughed.
Back at the mansion, the girls who did not attend the date were discussing Michelle and how they don't view her in a very positive light.
"I think Michelle's annoying. I don't like her attitude," Sarah Powell, a 27-year-old real estate broker from Denver, CO, said.
"I really don't have Michelle figured out yet. I feel like some moments she's being super sweet to everybody, and then other moments she's being a diva... I mean, you can't expect special treatment just because it's your birthday," explained Lindsay Hill, a 25-year-old first grade teacher from Plano, TX.
At the filming of the public service announcements, Michelle and Brad both expressed to each other how they really hope to get to know each other better, and Michelle apologized for deciding to leave the set and not take part in the commercial. Brad found their discussion to be sincere, and Michelle felt good about her chances of eventually stealing Brad's heart.
"Every girl he kisses after me is just going to be one huge disappointment. Poor girls," Michelle bragged following her conversation with Brad.
Later that night, Brad and the women enjoyed a rooftop pool party at a Los Angeles hotel and the bachelorettes quickly tried to secure some one-on-one time with him as they ate some food, had some drinks, and enjoyed time in the pool. But a fight quickly broke out between Melissa and Raichel that continued to escalate throughout the rest of the episode.
Melissa called Raichel childish and the two duked it out, while other bachelorettes were attempting to put a stop to their bickering.
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Meanwhile, back at the mansion, Jackie Gordon, a 27-year-old artist from New York, NY, received the good news that she would be accompanying Brad on the other one-on-one date the next day.
After a long day, Brad was ready to announce which of the 15 bachelorettes would receive the next rose. He chose to offer it to the birthday girl, Michelle, after he said they had a nice conversation, but his decision sparked even more tension between Michelle and the other women.
"Michelle is definitely striking me as the type of person who usually gets what she wants and is very aggressive about it. I'm thinking that she's someone to be wary of," Chantal said.
But Michelle was quick to flaunt the rose in front of the other girls.
"I feel like I got everything I wanted for my birthday. I got a rose," Michelle said.
The next day, Brad picked up Jackie for their one-on-one date which was going to be an ongoing surprise for the bachelorette. The couple entered a hotel and Brad began to pamper Jackie, as she received time in the spa, a choice among several racks of beautiful dresses and shoes all fit for her, and jewelry Brad picked out for her.
On their "Pretty Woman" inspired date, Brad took Jackie to the Hollywood Bowl where they ate a private dinner. Brad asked Jackie some pressing questions about her past relationships, and the bachelorette admitted she only had two serious boyfriends her entire life -- which Brad said truly worried him.
Brad said he feared Jackie reminded him of himself the last time he looked for love on The Bachelor, but he still gave her the rose because he initially loved her smile and presence. He offered her the rose in hopes the two of them could open up and give it a real shot.
"When Brad asked me to accept this rose, it was surreal. It was -- I felt so special -- I felt like he wants to give me that shot, and give us that shot, and that felt very good," Jackie said after accepting the rose.
Brad said he was hopeful that Jackie would not hold back, and that he was not at liberty to deny the bachelorette the chance to show him that she could fall in love.
"Jackie is a cautious one when it comes to love and it scares me a little bit. With that being said, who am I to judge? That was me three years ago, so I'm willing to give this a chance. I'm willing to be patient," Brad said.
Brad then surprised Jackie by revealing the band Train would perform a personal concert for just the two of them, and they danced, kissed and had a romantic evening together.
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"It's like a fantasy. I am seriously living in a dream right now. I'm on cloud nine. I thought I was just the luckiest girl in the house to go on this date, but I'm the luckiest girl in the world. It's confirmed," Jackie said during her date.
The next night, the cocktail party preceding the Rose Ceremony took place, so each of the bachelorettes would have one last chance to snag some personal time with Brad. Michelle got criticized for asking Brad silly irrelevant questions, while Melissa and Raichel got into another heated argument. Both girls went to Brad to discuss their problems in tears.
The women then received a surprise. Ali Fedotowsky and Roberto Martinez appeared and the women learned the happy couple -- who got together during The Bachelorette's sixth season and therefore had experience with the process -- would be selecting one lucky lady who would receive a rose. The couple met individually with all the girls in attempt to find out who was genuine, sincere and competing for the right reasons.
Brad then revealed that Emily was chosen to receive the rose, and he said he was 100% percent confident in their joint decision.
"I don't know what it is about you. I think you have an extreme amount of class, sophistication -- I've wanted so badly to believe that you are here for me and only me -- talking to Ali and Roberto both, you're name was one of the first that came up in believing that you are genuine," Brad told Emily when he offered her the rose.
Emily was apparently very pleased with the decision.
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"I am beyond flattered Brad chose me to get that rose tonight, and I'm just really excited. It really made me feel really really special. I'm really grateful," Emily said.
The Bachelor's second Rose Ceremony then commenced.
"I wanted to sincerely thank each and every one of you just for your patience. I can't imagine what each of you are going through. So thank you for hanging in there with me," Brad said to the bachelorettes.
Besides Ashley H., Jackie and Michelle, Brad gave roses to Chantal O., Sarah P., Alli, Kimberly, Shawntel N., Stacey, Ashley S., Madison, Lisa M., Marissa, Meghan, Lindsay, and Britt.
"I think there are several girls who targeted me and they needed to push me over the edge so that it was one less girl, and that sucks because I'm a really nice person and I guess, you can't be friends with everyone right? So, I had a really hard time in this house and it's just a shame because I don't feel like I deserved it," Melissa said following her elimination.
"Nobody likes to be in this position -- feeling rejected -- it sucks. I feel like I do deserve better than standing here crying right now. I feel like I deserve to be smiling and laughing and talking to Brad. I don't think that I should be sitting here upset, and if I continue to be this way, that means that Melissa won," Raichel explained.
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"I came here to find love. I came here to fall in love. I didn't come here to get so upset by another girl. And the part that makes me the most frustrated about this whole thing is that I tried to put myself out there and this wasn't my time."
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski