The Bachelorette star Desiree Hartsock's search for love on the ABC reality dating show's ninth season will begin on Monday, May 27 at 8PM ET/PT.
 
The Bachelorette star will be introduced to 25 bachelors all competing to win her heart, and the season's premiere will conclude with the 27-year-old bridal stylist from Los Angeles, CA, whittling the pack down to 19 during the first Rose Ceremony.

ADVERTISEMENT

During a Wednesday conference call with reporters, Desiree talked to Reality TV World about her upcoming season of The Bachelorette and hinted at what viewers can expect to see. To read what she had to say, click here.

Below are some additional details from her call. Check back with Reality TV World soon for more.

Last season when you were on The Bachelor, your brother proved to be quite the challenge during your hometown visit. Did you let him meet any of the men this season, and if so, how did it go?

Desiree Hartsock: My brother, coming on to The Bachelorette, he actually was very supportive.  And so, he will meet the men.

Did you learn anything from Sean specifically about how to go about the reality dating process?  Did you pick up on any of his strategies? Sean was specific about things such as letting people go early if he's sure there's not a strong connection. Or did you learn anything from your own experience on The Bachelor that you utilized this season?

Desiree Hartsock: Yes. You know, I learned from Sean like, I took each and every day, you know, separately and really focused on each and every relationship.  And I believe Sean was really good at that.  From my experience being on The Bachelor, I was able to put myself in the guys' shoes to really understand what they were feeling.  I think I did that pretty well.

You were really upset when Sean eliminated you and genuinely a little bit heartbroken.  Do you feel like you were ready to jump into this when it happened and did you feel like you believed in the process because of how you felt having gone through the process already?

Desiree Hartsock: Oh definitely.  I mean, I chose to do this show because the feelings that do develop are very real.  And I, you know, I was upset when Sean sent me home, but that just showed that the emotions are real and you really can fall for someone. 

But I mean, before going on this show, I had already been past that and I knew that Sean and I aren't meant to be together.  And I figured why not give The Bachelorette a chance.

It does make a difference when you're in the driver's seat I think too.

Desiree Hartsock: Yes, it does.

How did you prepare for the especially hard, emotional times that would play out this season?

Desiree Hartsock: There's going to be tears, but I really wanted to go on this show with all of my emotions being shown so that every, you know, so that viewers can really see where I'm coming from.

Did your family give you any tips on how to prepare for the next season, like how to be emotionally prepared? Maybe your brother?

Desiree Hartsock: I guess my family really, you know, just gave me the advice to stay true to who I am and to really trust my heart and be at peace with the decisions I was making.

I was wondering when you were first approached about becoming the next Bachelorette, did you jump at the opportunity or did it take a lot of soul searching before you agreed to do it?

Desiree Hartsock: I did have to take time on my own to think about it, because it is very emotional and it's a personal journey.  So I need to make sure I wanted to share that with the world.

So obviously in your season of The Bachelor, there was a lot of drama with Tierra LiCausi.  Is there any drama with the men this season that you knew about?

Desiree Hartsock: You know, there are a lot of strong, yet emotional men this season.  So they do stand up for themselves and that does create a lot of drama.

Were there any qualities that you were particularly looking for in a man?

Desiree Hartsock: Yes, I mean, I was looking for someone who's going to be spontaneous and adventurous while still being very supportive and caring.  And, you know, someone who ultimately can understand me and be my best friend.

What was it like getting back to normal life after living this fantasy life for a matter of weeks, and has it affected your career as a bridal stylist?

Desiree Hartsock: You know, I've actually been able to adapt back into my life pretty easily -- just staying busy.  And I guess, it hasn't affected, I mean I'm not, I haven't gone back to work as a bridal stylist, but I would love to pursue my passion in design.

So what are you doing for a living right now?

Desiree Hartsock: Well, I just got back recently.  So I'm just getting back to my life and then I do want to work on my design.

Can you kind of explain your brother's change of heart from going to calling the Bachelor a "playboy?" I don't know if that was Sean-specific or, I kind of took it as like, just sort of a conceit of the show he didn't agree with.

Desiree Hartsock: No, no. Actually, that was a very Sean-specific. It was a very Sean-specific conversation.  And it was because he saw that Sean, you know, wasn't right for me.  But he is very supportive of me being able to choose and really decide what's right for me.

Are we going to see a lot of your brother?  I mean, I think people really like, for good or for bad, people found him an intriguing part of the show.

Desiree Hartsock: Yes, I mean he will, he will be on the show.

So we see in the promo some standouts from night one and obviously all the names have been released.  Can you just maybe name a couple guys who right away you're like, "Oh okay, he's cool?"  And then we see that you have a knight in shining armor that shows up.  I mean anyone else that stood out?

Desiree Hartsock: You know, I think you're really going to have to watch to see all the different characters.  Because there are a lot of unique entrances and also a lot of unique conversation.

Since you are a bridal stylist and someone who makes her living off of weddings, if you do end up with someone by the end of the season, and it does lead to marriage, have you thought about whether you would do a TV wedding or not?

Desiree Hartsock: You know, if I do end up with someone and when that time comes, I would really have to think about it because I would want my wedding to be small and intimate.

So you don't think you would do a televised wedding?

Desiree Hartsock: I don't know.  That would have to, I would have to think about it when that time comes, you know, comes.

So, how was the experience overall?

Desiree Hartsock: You know, overall, the experience was definitely an emotional journey.  And there's a lot of surprises and, you know, I mean overall I think it's a journey of love.  And love isn't always going to be happy because there's going to be ups and downs, but ultimately, you get through it all.

Wow.  You do not sound happy at all.  Is that fair to say?

Desiree Hartsock: No.

Okay.

Desiree Hartsock: I'm a naturally happy person.

But as far as the season goes, there's a lot of ups and downs?

Desiree Hartsock: Yes.  I mean, that's what comes with, you know, the relationship and that comes with guiding and gauging where the relationship should go.

But you can't say that you ended up happy?

Desiree Hartsock: I can't say at this time.

Above are some additional details from Desiree's Wednesday conference call with reporters. To read what she had to say to Reality TV World, click here. Check back with us soon for more.


About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON GOOGLE NEWS