'The Bachelorette' bachelor Joe Gendreau: Emily Maynard and I just did not hit it off

The Bachelorette bachelor Joe Gendreau, a 27-year-old field energy advisor from Los Angeles, CA, was eliminated along with two other suitors during Monday night's broadcast of the ABC reality dating series' eighth season.


Joe was ousted during his first one-on-one date with The Bachelorette star Emily Maynard because she claimed there was just no spark, while fellow bachelors Aaron and Kyle were both eliminated during the second episode's Rose Ceremony.

During a Wednesday conference call with reporters, Joe talked to Reality TV World about his short-lived The Bachelorette experience -- including whether he got the closure he needed and understood why Emily ousted him from the competition so early on, why he thought they were in different places in their lives, and whether he really enjoyed his experience or regret going on the show to begin with.

Below is the first portion of Joe's call. Check back with Reality TV World soon for the concluding half.

Reality TV World: Do you have any insight as to why you might have been eliminated and what reasoning went into Emily's decision to let you go so early on? I mean, Emily told you she didn't think she and Ricki would fit into your life, but what exactly do you think she meant by that, and did you disagree?


Joe Gendreau: So yeah, Emily and I just didn't really hit it off with each other. We were kind of at different places in our lives. I think I was a single kind of free-spirited individual, while I think she was someone more settled in her ways -- maybe more committed in whether it be family or work. So I guess that's the answer to that.

Reality TV World: Although you were aware there was a rose up for grabs during your one-on-one date with Emily and you had to earn it, did you really think there was a chance she'd deny you it so early on? Did you kind of just assume you were going to be safe and get the rose as long as you had a good time together?

Joe Gendreau: Honestly, I tried to keep the rose out of mind. I didn't really want to, you know, look at it as a challenge and be like, "Oh, I really want to get that rose" and stuff. I just wanted to see how my time was with her and entertain the idea of just seeing if I could hit it off with her. And ultimately it didn't really work out, but it was a great time though.

Reality TV World: How familiar were you with previous The Bachelor and The Bachelorette seasons? I think this was the first time a Bachelorette let a guy go on their first round of one-on-one dates, so what are your thoughts on that? Did you feel a little robbed of the experience, and were you surprised to be cut?

Joe Gendreau: No, I thought it was a really great experience. I enjoyed every minute, and as far as my knowledge of previous seasons, I've never really watched the show before.


Reality TV World: Now that you've been on The Bachelorette, do you think it will be easier to date? And at the same time, do you worry that similar to the way they talk about people going on The Bachelor and The Bachelorette for the wrong reasons, do you worry girls might want to go out with you for the wrong reasons now?

Joe Gendreau: Yeah, no. Only time can tell.

Reality TV World: You were only in the house a few days, but were you starting to develop any feelings for Emily?

Joe Gendreau: No, I knew her very briefly.

Reality TV World: Why did you originally go on The Bachelorette? Was it really to find love, and if so, why were you hoping to find love with Emily in particular?


Joe Gendreau: You know, I went on the show to entertain the idea of possibly finding a relationship and get to know someone. So I wanted to see where that could take me, but ultimately, what happened happened and it was a great experience.

Reality TV World: Kyle and Aaron were the other two guys who didn't receive roses during the same episode you were eliminated. How well did you know the two of them and what were your impressions of them? Do you have any idea why Emily might've eliminated them as well?

Joe Gendreau: I didn't really know him super well. I think one of them is a Canadian biology teacher right?

Reality TV World: Yes, Aaron is the biology teacher.

Joe Gendreau: Yeah, I didn't really get a chance to know him very well. Kyle, didn't get to know him very well. Maybe Emily's not -- yeah sorry, I got nothing more for you on that one. I think it was ultimately that she never really got the opportunity to get to know them very well. 


Reality TV World: I know you said your betting on Jef when it comes to who might be able to win Emily's heart, but besides Jef, were there any guys that stood out in your mind for being really pulled-together, solid potential matches for Emily? Who did you think would probably stick around for awhile while you were there?

Joe Gendreau: Definitely Arie. Arie will stick around and Sean will stick around. Those guys, they'll be around for awhile. And then maybe Doug too, the guy who got the first impression rose.

Reality TV World: Do you have any reasoning as to why you think that?

Joe Gendreau: Just solid, good guys -- good character.

Above is the first portion of Joe's call. Check back with Reality TV World soon for the concluding half.






About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski