The Bachelorette bachelor James Case, a 27-year-old advertising executive from Chicago, IL, is still in the running for Desiree Hartsock's heart.
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During last Monday night's broadcast, James enjoyed a special emotional one-on-one date with Desiree in which they toured the destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy along the Jersey Shore via helicopter and then gave up the romantic dinner portion of their date to two survivors, a married couple, who lost their home and belongings in the storm. James came across sweet and sincere during the date.
However, previews for this week's episode suggest James will become a villain in the house and host Chris Harrison has mentioned he'll "shock" and "blindside" everyone. Apparently, James voices his desire to become the next The Bachelor star to his fellow suitors, leading them to believe he's on the show for the wrong reasons.
During a Thursday conference call with reporters, James talked to Reality TV World about the season thus far and his time with Des. To read what he had to say, click here. Below are some additional highlights from his call. Click here for more.
There's a lot of contention with the men against Ben Scott. Are you one of the men that thinks Ben is there for the wrong reasons?
James Case: You know, no, not at all. I mean, you know, everybody comes into this show somewhat with a strategy, I would say. I don't think -- I think a majority of us just came in, you know, to see if we could find love, to see what it was all about, right?
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And I think that Ben came in with kind of a different approach. But who's to say he's wrong for that approach, you know? He wasn't there to make friends. He was there to see if he could find love and move on.
And, you know, so he didn't realize how it was all going to play out with the friendships that were made. So, I just think he approached it a little wrong. But at the end of the day, Desiree has to be the judge of everybody's character to her best ability and I think that her intuition is very, very strong.
Are there any specific persons you get along with in the house better than others?
James Case: I honestly get along with just about everybody on the show. My absolutely best buddies would probably be [Bryden Vukasin] and [Mikey Tenerelli] who are just very, very true men who come from great families.
We all know Bryden is an ex-military guy, he's just a man of morals and respect, and so those two gentlemen there are probably two of my favorites. But I could say a lot about Dan Cox and [Drew Kenney] and the rest of the guys on that show as well. You know, they were all great guys.
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I mean, you were kind of the hero in this week's episode with the whole Hurricane Sandy date involving Jan and Manny. But in previews for next week's episode, it's looking like you're going to be set up to be the goat. So, is there a part of you that's dreading watching those broadcasts?
James Case: No, not at all. I can't wait. And, you know, I can't wait for more questions from you guys about it. We're going to all have to watch it and see how it all plays out. But at the end of the day, again, like, I'm very secure with myself and I'm a man of God and I know who I am and what's going to -- you know, kind of what's going to happen.
But at the same time, I'm just -- I mean, what can I do, you know? I went on the show and it was -- I have no regrets whatsoever. So it's hard to answer your question because I can't really denote about what's going to happen next week and what's not.
But no, I'm very secure with myself. I'm an honest person. I know who I am. And like I said before, my parents, my friends know who I am. And so, I'm just really not worried about it.
Are you getting any attention, like, when you're walking around Chicago?
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James Case: Yes. I was just [saying] this morning, a guy came up to me and double looked, triple looked, and then came up to me and my first fan was a 72-old-man who's been watching it with his wife.
That was the first week and I thought that was cute. But, yes, I mean, I'll walk into a bar or I'll walk down the street and people will stop me and ask me for pictures and stuff like that. And it's cool, you know, it's different. But it's kind of hard to swallow sometimes, but it's been fun so far.
What is the best thing or your best memory up to this point that we didn't get to see on-air so far?
James Case: I don't know if I'm allowed to answer that question... Best memory off-air. I don't know what -- let's see. Gosh, I mean, I don't know. Mikey is one funny guy. And so is Mike Garofola. And those guys, they are just -- I can't really explain it.
I don't know if you would really get it, but I think I was asked in an interview about something. I think one of you guys asked, like, about health and food or something like that. And I had told Mike G., the prosecuting lawyer, about it and he was one of my bunk mates. He's a real funny guy, a real smart guy.
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And I said something to him and I said something about protein and one of the producers asked me about it or something. And Michael said, "You know what, man? I would've named every single protein atom in the body," and then he started rattling off and in order from A to Z.
And to be able to do that, you have to be super intelligent, you know? Mike, I mean, he was just going at it and I just literally fell out on the floor laughing. And then, Mikey came in and of course they're all in -- you know, everybody's into working out and their health and listening to Mike G. just rattle everything off and all these scientific words in alphabetical order, it was just nuts.
And so, that was one of my favorite moments, just like a bonding moment that we -- I thought that was, you know, funny. But there are little things here and there. We were all racing up a hill. I pulled both of my hamstrings and got made fun of for the rest of the week for that. But, I mean, you know, just little things like that were fun.
I wanted to kind of touch back on your trip to Atlantic City where you saw the devastation that's going on from Sandy and the couple that you met. What did you come away from that feeling after watching that happen?
James Case: Well, you know, there are a lot of feelings. Like we said, I think Desiree even said it, you know, this is going to be James' first time and her first time in a helicopter ride, I believe, or maybe second time -- I forget what it was at that point.
But, you know, you want to be excited, right, for all these new things that you're feeling and then you see this devastation that eight months later is still -- I mean, it's still horrible there. And going through those emotions and trying to enjoy your time -- But at the same time, you're getting to experience something that is just out of this world. And the different emotions were going up and down. It was amazing.
And then, getting to our date, watching two people that have never been in, you know, even been in a limo before was a special feeling. And it was rewarding and it was heartfelt and it was just a blessing to be able to even be a part of that date. And dancing and having those moments not only Manny and his wife but with Desiree.
I think that you kind of saw some of the little clips of us talking while we were dancing. And all that I could say to her is, "Thank you so much." Like, "I had such a great time," and it was so heart [warming]. And I couldn't be more happy at that moment, to tell you the truth. It was just an unbelievable experience to see that go through, walk with the Red Cross, and experience those emotions.
Have you shared those feelings with the men and was anyone seemingly threatened by the unique experience you got to experience with Desiree?
James Case: Yes, for sure. No, for sure. And, yes, for sure. I did and, you know, you're not used to that, right? You know, you come back and you have to be careful because you don't -- people get jealous or they get, you know, they start worrying and it creates its own little drama.
But, yes, I share -- of course, I shared. I was happy, you know? I mean, I had gotten the rose. I had an unbelievable connection with Desiree. Like, there are so many different feelings. I affected two people's lives. I got to see something that nobody else got to see and an experience with a helicopter.
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There were just so many emotions going through me. But, yes, you come back and you talk about how great [it was] and you're on cloud nine. And first off, I got a one-on-one date and not everyone gets a one-on-one date, you know? You guys know that. And so, it was a crazy experience. And, yes, I let people know.
During a Thursday conference call with reporters, James talked to Reality TV World about the season thus far and his time with Des. To read what he had to say, click here. Above are some additional highlights from his call. Click here for more.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski