'The Bachelor' star Sean Lowe cuts Leslie Hughes and Amanda Meyer

The Bachelor star Sean Lowe eliminated Leslie Hughes and Amanda Meyer during last night's broadcast of the ABC reality dating series' seventeenth season.


Leslie, a 29-year-old poker dealer from Los Angeles, CA, was eliminated on her one-on-one date with Sean, while Amanda, a 26-year-old fit model from Newport Beach, CA, was eliminated during the fourth episode's Rose Ceremony.

"Sean has everything that I'm looking for in someone that I want to spend the rest of my life with. I feel really rejected and it hurts. It's hard to not get a rose, and I wasn't really expecting it, so I think that was probably the hardest part. Right now, I'm really miserable. Heart break is such a difficult emotion. It's going to be hard to get over Sean. It's not fair. I feel stupid," Amanda said following her ouster.

"I'm blindsided. I really saw myself with him at the end. That's what scary. It sucks saying goodbye to Sean because he's such an amazing man. I would honestly give back all these clothes and these diamond earrings to have more time with him. I'm so lost right now," Leslie said after being able to enjoy only half of her date inspired by Pretty Woman.

The Bachelor's fourth seventeenth-season episode began with host Chris Harrison visiting Sean's remaining 13 bachelorettes at the mansion and dropping off their date card.


Over the course of the week, there would be two one-on-one dates and one group date with 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 eliminated immediately. Selma Alameri, a 29-year-old real estate developer from San Diego, CA, then learned she'd be accompanying Sean on the week's first one-on-one date.

For their date, Selma and Sean took off on their own private jet and Sean kept her in the dark about where they were going. Selma was envisioning some romantic scene or opportunity to come -- as Sean was sure she would be doing -- but upon landing, she discovered they were in a barren desert.

Selma immediately began to worry because she said she "doesn't do well in heat at all." Sean then brought her to Joshua Tree National Park to test if she could handle or would even enjoy an outdoorsy date, which is a style of date The Bachelor star tends to prefer. Sean wanted to see how she'd fare outside of her girly-girly element and comfort zone.

The couple then went rock climbing and Selma told the cameras she didn't like heights and feared the entire experience. Although she complained for awhile during her climb, Sean kept giving her encouragement and telling her that she was doing well. Selma admitted that Sean gave her a sense of adrenaline and courage, and Sean actually ended up being quite impressed with her progress, motivation and speed.

Once they made it to the top of the cliff, the pair said they felt accomplished. Selma noted being so high up was like she was sitting ontop of the world. That night, they enjoyed a nice little dinner outside of a trailer -- which was another setting Sean expected would shock Selma. However, Selma loved it and said she was so happy that her cheeks were hurting from smiling.


Selma felt comfortable opening up to Sean quickly. She told him about how she grew up in a very strict Arabic culture in which she couldn't date publicly and was expected to always act like a lady and be perfect all the time.

"I was brought into this world as a Muslim, so in my culture, it's so strict. We barely even date in public. So to kiss somebody on national television, I think my mom would literally have a heart attack," Selma laughed.

"So tonight, I just really need to explain myself to Sean and hope he understands why I cannot kiss him. And so, I am a little fearful that Sean is going to take that in a bad way, that he's going to be like, 'Oh great, what am I dealing with?'"

Meanwhile, the other women learned who would be sharing the week's group date with Sean.

Accompanying Sean would be Amanda; Robyn Howard, a 24-year-old oil field account manager from Houston, TX; Catherine Giudici, a 26-year-old graphic designer from Seattle, WA; Lindsay Yenter, a 24-year-old substitute teacher from Fort Leonard Wood, MO; Jackie Parr, a 25-year-old cosmetics consultant from Boynton Beach, FL; Tierra LiCausi, a 24-year-old leasing consultant, Denver, CO; AshLee Frazier, a 32-year-old personal organizer from Houston, TX; and Sarah Herron, a 26-year-old advertising executive from Los Angeles, CA.


During Sean's date with Selma, he really wanted to kiss her and eventually asked for permission.

However, once Selma explained her story but insisted she really wanted to kiss him even though she couldn't, Sean understood and respected her decision. Selma told him that her mother wasn't happy about her going on the show to begin with nevermind showcasing and putting on display her affection for a man on TV for the world to see.

Selma told the cameras she wouldn't kiss Sean until she was the last woman standing although she truly wanted to.

"Every time I look at Selma, I just want to kiss her. And her eyes are just basically asking me to kiss her. Huh," Sean laughed. "I don't know what to do... If I have to wait to kiss her, I'm happy to do it. She honestly has everything I'm looking for in a woman, so we're still early, but I could see Selma being the one."

Sean then offered Selma the rose by saying he was crazy about her and wanted to spend more time with her. Selma accepted the rose with an "absolutely" and thanked him. She said everything was "picture perfect" and she could definitely imagine a "beautiful future" with Sean. She said her fairytale was just beginning, and the pair cuddled and held each other by a fire.


The next day, the eight girls going on the group date embarked on their little "roll with the punches" adventure and met up with Sean.

The bachelorettes soon learned they'd be participating in a roller derby. Tierra said she had some built-up aggression and was excited to "knock some b-tches down." Meanwhile, Sean had a feeling that in addition to Tierra, Amanda was also going to be very aggressive.

During the girls' practice, they kept falling down all over the place. Sarah then realized it was a physical hurdle for her because she didn't have great balance due to having only one arm. She started to cry and wished she was "normal" in that moment because she was simply trying her best to impress an "amazing guy" and wanted to appear strong.

AshLee gave Sarah a peptalk and convinced her that she could do it just like everyone else. But Sarah told Sean afterwards she just didn't think she could do it. Sean, however, felt differently and gave her the motivation to at least try.

"Today is a really extreme scenario of obstacles that will come my way, and Sean did a really great job of making me feel okay," Sarah explained. "He really made me think it doesn't matter if I do really well or if I am awful, I need to just go out there and try it. So then, I put all my gear back on and came out and started practicing with the girls. It's hard. I'm not going to lie. It's really freaking hard."


Much to everyone's surprise, Amanda, who was kind of showing off, took a dive and hit her chin on the floor. Amanda was told she could have a fractured jaw and needed to go to the hospital right away.

Sean said he felt terrible about Amanda and realized maybe the date wasn't the best or safest idea for the girls. As a result, Sean announced that instead of having a game, he just wanted to have a freeskate party, and the girls really ended up enjoying themselves.

That night, Sean shared a relaxing night with his girls by the pool. Tierra said having all the ladies in her way of Sean was making her lose her mind. Later on, Amanda returned to the date with a smile from ear to ear. She told Sean her jaw hurt badly, but the pain apparently wasn't as terrible as she had explained it to seem. She told him that she could barely talk.

"Luckily, I wasn't hurt too badly. But I love the sympathy card. I play dirty. I will take it. I'm going to milk the heck out of this. This didn't happen for nothing," Amanda told the cameras. "All I get is a kiss on the chin? I probably should've said, 'They had to take out my tonsils.'"

Meanwhile at the mansion, Leslie H. discovered she was going to receive the week's second one-on-one date. And with the card came a pair of beautiful diamond earrings. 

Back on Sean's date, Tierra wasn't getting along with the girls, especially Robyn. She told Sarah and AshLee she trusted no one in the house and wanted to leave because she was so frustrated with the environment and how things were playing out.


"Now it's getting to the point it's getting ridiculous and girls need to start becoming women. I'm not bitter like that nor am I going to stoop to their level. I'm better than that. I'm going to focus on me, who I am and my connection with Sean. I'm not going to let another girl stop me from getting what I want out of this," Tierra said.

Tierra then stormed off threatening to leave while she was looking for Sean.

"I deserve so much more than this. Sean's a great guy, but why should I be tortured every day and live life uneasy? Why? I can't take the fakeness from any of these girls anymore. It's such bullsh-t. I can't take it. I cannot take it! I am breaking down inside and holding it all in, and that is not fair. Sean's a great guy. Will I probably regret it? Absolutely, but I can't be tortured like this," Tierra explained in tears.

Sean was just about to spend some private time with Lindsay in the hot tub until Tierra pulled him away to talk. She told him she just couldn't do it even though she wanted to so badly. Tierra noted that living with the girls was extremely difficult and being an emotional and sensitive person didn't help the situation considering she wanted to be with Sean terribly.

In reply, Sean told Tierra it wasn't about the experience or people but rather the potential connection she had with him. Tierra said she absolutely felt something for him and had been ready to give her heart away for awhile. Sean explained he could tell Tierra liked him and wanted to spend more time with him just based upon how she looked at him. Tierra's apparent doubts about the process sealed the deal for Sean on whom he should give the group date rose to.

"I liked you from the moment you stepped out of the limo. I want to see where this goes, because I'm crazy about you," Sean told Tierra, adding to the cameras that if he let her go, he'd always wonder, "What if?"


The other girls were shocked about the revelation. Sean told Tierra he liked her right off the bat, was crazy about her and wanted to see where things could go between them. The other bachelorettes felt Tierra was sneaky and attempting to manipulate Sean. They agreed she was "very good at what she does."

"I am pissed. I have held in my frustration with Tierra since Day 1. It's like the more she's around and the more I see her doing these things, the angrier I get. She's like a plague of bad energy. I am done with Tierra," Robyn said.

The next day, Leslie H. got to go on her special date with Sean. She was so excited about her diamond earrings but said she'd prefer just having Sean forever. Sean then picked her up in a sports car and brought her to Beverly Hills where they shopped for clothes in some expensive stores.

Leslie tried on beautiful dresses for Sean and selected one she loved. Afterwards, they picked out shoes and a purse for Leslie and danced in the clothing store. The couple got dressed up for their night out afterwards -- Leslie in her gown and Sean in a tuxedo -- and then Neil Lane gave Leslie 120 carats of diamonds to wear around her neck just for the evening. Leslie noted she could see Sean as her future husband.

Later that night, the couple ate dinner and talked about their romantic pasts and potential future together. Leslie explained she had dated her best friend for about seven years before calling it quits, and Sean completely understood how sometimes you could date someone who's wonderful and looks great on paper but "it's just not there."

Leslie then shared with Sean that communication, trust and love make the foundation of a strong family and relationship in her eyes. She said her parents had divorced when she was five-years-old and she planned to only get married once since she knew what it was like to be raised in a broken home.


After Sean realized the pair didn't have much of a real chemistry, he then began his goodbye speech. He said he wanted a romantic connection to click between them but he just didn't feel it happen. Sean said knowing what she's been through in her life regarding her parents' failed marriage, he couldn't allow her to go any further knowing he wasn't the man for her.

"Just watch out for some of the girls, honestly, because some of them have roses that are not here for the right reasons. I just know you're here for the right reasons and I know that you're looking for your wife, and so, I just want you to find your wife," Leslie told him before she entered the limo awaiting her.

"Thank you so much," Sean said.

Sean said it was a very romantic evening with wonderful conversation but the romance between himself and Leslie just unfortunately wasn't there. The Bachelor star said sending Leslie home was a reality check because he knew he'd be sending great women home from that point on. He didn't realize he'd feel so bad, so he started to question himself and wonder, "Can I find my wife here?"

The following 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 Sean. 

Tierra was glad Leslie went home because she thought there needed to be less girls in general fighting for Sean.


Sean planned to remain completely honest, open and genuine with the girls since feelings were developing fast in numerous ways. Sean first told AshLee she had been on his mind and he was well aware how amazing she was -- her strength, confidence and goodness in her heart. Sean said he knew he loved the person that AshLee seemed to be and loved how she didn't let the girls get to her.

Robyn got some time with Sean next and hoped to leave her mark. The couple kissed and she said she "couldn't even talk" afterwards. She thought he was perfect.

Meanwhile, the group was joining forces about how Tierra was one person around the girls and an alleged completely different person around Sean. Tierra found comfort and support in Amanda, saying she had never done anything to intentionally hurt anyone in the house but felt girls were targeting, judging and bashing her.

Tierra then confronted Robyn and Jackie. She believed they talked about her behind her back and she didn't want them to make Sean think she was someone she wasn't. Tierra therefore apologized to the girls for how things went down during the group date but admitted they didn't behave fairly. Tierra told Robyn she "never not liked" her and desired to squash the drama between them.

Tierra said she wished everyone would stop reading into what she was doing and focus on themselves and just bare with it. Robyn noted she accepted her apology and understood. However, both parties felt it was awkward and knew it was a fake and forced exchange. Tierra said she simply didn't want to let "high school stuff" get in her way of winning Sean's heart.

After their chat, Robyn explained Tierra "plays a very good game" and Sean would have to eventually see that on his own. Tierra then spoke with Sean and said the girls had trouble accepting her for who she is. She said she was guarded and didn't want to hear about other girls' dates with him. The bachelorette added that she didn't cause or like drama, and Sean said she was her own worst enemy who got inside her own head at times.


Tierra admitted she just feared that the girls would try to influence Sean's opinion of her.

"I know who you are. If someone came to me and said, 'I've got this list of bad things to say about Tierra,' it's not going to influence me," Sean told her.

Sean saw Tierra as being emotional, passionate and ultimately on the show for the right reasons.

Catherine acknowledged she was distracted by Tierra's presence but felt vulnerable enough with Sean "to shine" on her own. She then gave him a card with a kiss on it and told him that she was very attracted to him.

Sean returned the compliment and reassured himself that Catherine hadn't just placed him in the "friend zone" since their dynamic was so playful and comfortable. Catherine immediately dismissed that idea and told him that she was definitely into him. The couple then kissed.

The Bachelor's fourth Rose Ceremony then commenced.


Besides Selma and Tierra, Sean gave roses to Catherine; Desiree Hartsock, a 26-year-old bridal stylist from Los Angeles, CA; Lindsay; Lesley Murphy, a 25-year-old political consultant from Washington, D.C.; Robyn; AshLee; Sarah; Jackie; and Daniella McBride, a 24-year-old commercial casting associate from San Francisco, CA.

Sean then walked Amanda out.






About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski